Retail Remix

Deep Dive: AI’s Next Chapter in Retail — Scale, Security & Strategy

This episode is brought to you by Airia [https://airia.com?utm_source=Retail+Touch+Points&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Podcast+Email]. AI dominated conversations at NRF 2026—but as adoption accelerates, so do the risks. In this Retail Remix Deep Dive bonus episode, host Adam Blair, Editor at Retail TouchPoints, sits down with Kevin Kiley, CEO of AIRIA, to explore how retailers can unlock the promise of AI without exposing themselves to unnecessary vulnerability. Together, they unpack where AI is delivering real value across retail, from store associate enablement to back-office operations, while also addressing the growing challenges around security, governance, reliability, and ROI. Kevin shares why “AI sprawl” is becoming a serious issue, how model outages and hallucinations can derail critical workflows, and why retailers must avoid locking themselves into a single AI provider. The conversation also draws parallels to earlier tech shifts like mobile and e-commerce, offering a grounded look at what retailers should prioritize now—and what to be cautious about—as AI moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment. Key Takeaways * Why AI is a strong fit across retail functions, from the store floor to legal and supply chain * The hidden risks of agentic AI, including data access, outages, and model drift * How governance, observability, and auditability are becoming non-negotiable * Why flexibility across AI models is critical as capabilities evolve at breakneck speed * Where retailers are seeing the biggest ROI today—from associate training to contract review * A realistic outlook on AI’s trajectory through 2026, including where hype may cool Related Links * Learn how AIRIA [https://airia.com] helps enterprises govern and secure AI deployments: * Explore more retail insights and and NRF26 coverage at  Retail TouchPoints [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com] * Subscribe so you don’t miss more episodes of Retail Remix [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts] from the show floor of NRF26. ----- Discover how Airia’s no-code AI platform empowers retail teams to automate inventory, customer support, and more—without technical expertise. Ready to make AI work for you? Visit airia.com/retailtouchpoints [http://airia.com/retailtouchpoints] to learn more.

NRF 2026 Takeaways: AI, Authenticity & the Human Factor

The NRF Big Show is always a whirlwind and this year was no exception. In this special episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined live from the show floor by her colleagues Adam Blair of Retail TouchPoints and Kate Robertson of Shop Eat Surf Outdoor to break down what stood out while everything was still fresh. From first-time impressions (Kate has never been before) to veteran perspectives (Adam has attended going on 20 years), the trio reflects on the themes that dominated conversations across sessions and booths. Unsurprisingly, AI was everywhere but the editors also dig into the growing emphasis on humanity, trust, authenticity and culture as retailers figure out how (and where) new this technology fits in. This candid, on-the-ground conversation captures what NRF really feels like — and what retail leaders are wrestling with as 2026 gets underway. Highlights from this episode include: * How the AI conversation shifted at NRF 2026 from hype to hands-on learnings; * The striking quality and confidence of Gen Z voices on stage — and what that says about the future workforce; * Why retailers like LVMH are doubling down on the human element, even as automation accelerates; * How creators, trust and authenticity are becoming more critical in a world of AI-driven discovery; * Leadership lessons from Dick’s Sporting Goods on culture, competitiveness, and rewarding the unglamorous work. Related Links * Related reading:Dick’s Sporting Goods Chairman Ed Stack on House of Sport, Corporate Culture and Fixing Foot Locker [https://shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com/news/dicks-sporting-goods-chairman-ed-stack-on-house-of-sport-corporate-culture-and-fixing-foot-locker/615463/] * Related reading: AI in Luxury: Why LVMH Won’t Let AI Eclipse Humanity or Creativity [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/industry-insights/ai-in-luxury-why-lvmh-wont-let-ai-eclipse-humanity-or-creativity] * Related reading: How Inviting Consumers to ‘Ask Ralph’ Deepens Their Connection to the Ralph Lauren Brand [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/industry-insights/how-inviting-consumers-to-ask-ralph-deepens-their-connection-to-the-ralph-lauren-brand] * Explore ongoing NRF coverage and retail insights from Retail TouchPoints [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com]. * Subscribe so you don’t miss more episodes of Retail Remix [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts] from the show floor of NRF26.

6 Nuggets of Wisdom for 2026 from Pacsun, ThredUp, Adobe & More

As we kick off 2026, Retail Remix is spotlighting some of the most illuminating moments from last season that bear repeating. In this special episode, host Nicole Silberstein revisits standout insights from 2025 that continue to resonate as the industry navigates AI, shifting consumer expectations and the evolving role of physical retail. Highlights Include: * Why retailers must do (beyond optimizing their product data) to stay visible in AI-powered search platforms; * How “napkin math,” that is, thinking in orders of magnitude, can help leaders better size opportunities and manage expectations; * What truly drives brand value and affinity today, and why investing in brand equity during times of disruption pays off; * How PacSun has so successfully created a culture of community and how other brands can do the same; * What today’s consumers are really looking for from store experiences; and * Why resale hit a tipping point in 2025 and what that means for brands’ circular efforts in 2026. Full Episodes & Related Links * Episode 252: What $24B in Prime Day Spending Tells Us About H2 [https://pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/90cba437/65ca5bb6.mp3] * Episode 268: AI Reality Check: Klaviyo CEO on What’s Hype, What Matters & What Comes Next [https://pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/0bd02579/d1e88dd5.mp3] * Episode 255: The Experience Equation: What Retailers Need To Get Right [https://pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/f364e4f3/99d4ff95.mp3] * Episode 259: Pacsun’s Formula for Relevance: Youth Culture + Co-Creation [https://pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/a73d1dec/8f776336.mp3] * Episode 254: Inside ThredUp’s Surge: What’s Fueling Resale’s Surge [https://pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/e89ad985/15a06af9.mp3] * Episode 246: Lessons from the World’s Top Brands [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12DI1miQCyuiws1TMnmCZj6WFjP35uYbh?usp=sharing] * Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com] * Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts]

Bonus: A Brief Ode to the Joy of Shopping

As a final send-off to the year, host Nicole Silberstein shares some off-the-cuff thoughts on something we forgot to talk enough about this year — the irreplaceable pleasure of shopping in stores, and why AI won’t change that. Happy Holidays from your friends at Retail Remix — see you in 2026! Key Takeaways * Maybe what we all need a little more of right now is in-person shopping Related Links * Episode 258 - Redesigning with Reverence: Inside the New MoMA Design Store Experience [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts/redesigning-with-reverence-inside-the-new-moma-design-store-experience] * Episode 253 - How Primark Is Rewriting the Rules of Value Fashion in the U.S.  [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts/how-primark-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-value-fashion-in-the-u-s] * Related reading: How Printemps’ New NYC Store Supports ‘Democratic Luxury’ with Subtle Technology [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/retail-success-stories/how-printemps-new-nyc-store-supports-democratic-luxury-with-subtle-technology] * Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts]

AI Reality Check: Klaviyo CEO on What’s Hype, What Matters & What Comes Next

AI is reshaping the retail landscape faster than any technology in recent memory, but with the hype comes confusion — and a lot of big questions about what AI can actually do for retailers today. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Andrew Bialecki, Co-founder and CEO of Klaviyo [https://www.klaviyo.com], to separate reality from speculation and explore how AI is changing marketing, customer service and the entire shopping experience. Andrew shares the origin story behind Klaviyo’s “digital brain for businesses,” explains why retailers will increasingly become hybrid product-and-service companies, and breaks down the AI behaviors already shaping consumer expectations. He also takes a look into his crystal ball to offer a forward-looking perspective on how voice, avatars and in-store AI agents could define the next era of commerce. Key Takeaways * How retailers will evolve into hybrid product-and-service brands as AI makes information and personalization easily accessible to all; * Why multimodal AI — including chat, voice and in-store agents — could propel the next wave of omnichannel experiences; * The role humans will continue to play in the AI future through creative direction, brand judgment and defining customer experience goals; * What consumers actually want from AI: speed, summarization, better recommendations, and easier product discovery;  * Why the ability to do “napkin math” is critical for businesspeople of all stripes; and * The hardest thing about going from being a private to a public company. Related Links * Explore Klaviyo [https://www.klaviyo.com]’s AI-powered marketing and customer relationship tools * Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com] * Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/podcasts]