The Retail Pilot Blog
For anyone building, running, or simply obsessed with the future of retail.
Ken dives into the brands worth watching, the challenges retailers are quietly wrestling with, and the technology quietly (or not-so-quietly) rewriting the rules of the industry. Part curiosity project, part field notes from the front lines of commerce, The Retail Pilot Blog is where retail's past, present, and next move all get a closer look.
Flightpath July 25, 2024
This edition covers luxury brands' shift toward DTC channels, its impact on wholesale partners, and industry consolidation like the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger, with Ralph Lauren and Chanel as case studies. ROKT is featured as this week's partner, and the podcast features returning guest Mindy Grossman of The Consello Group.
Flightpath July 12, 2024
This edition covers luxury brands' shift toward DTC channels, its impact on wholesale partners, and industry consolidation like the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger, with Ralph Lauren and Chanel as case studies. ROKT is featured as this week's partner, and the podcast features returning guest Mindy Grossman of The Consello Group.
Flightpath June 28, 2024
This edition covers experiential, customized in-store strategies and Target's new GenAI tool, Store Companion, with Flex as featured partner. Podcast guests: Ramy Sharp (Ramy Brook) and Scott Tannen (Boll & Branch).
Flightpath June 13, 2024
This edition covers Walmart's fashion strategy and its Gen Z-focused No Boundaries relaunch, plus revenue-generating tech platforms like Extend and ROKT. Podcast guest: Reformation CEO Hali Borenstein.
Flightpath May 30, 2024
This edition covers the resurgence in retail real estate and store openings, AI-driven inventory management and RFID tech, with Wunderkind as featured partner. Podcast guests: Danielle Bernstein and returning guest Chris Burch.
Flightpath May 16, 2024
This edition recaps takeaways from the World Retail Congress and covers the rise of marketplaces and dropshipping, including Nordstrom's new marketplace. Knot Standard's made-to-measure model is featured as this week's partner, and the podcast features JCPenney's Michelle Wlazlo and Madhappy's Peiman Raf.
Flightpath May 2, 2024
This edition recaps takeaways from the World Retail Congress and covers the rise of marketplaces and dropshipping, including Nordstrom's new marketplace. Knot Standard's made-to-measure model is featured as this week's partner, and the podcast features JCPenney's Michelle Wlazlo and Madhappy's Peiman Raf.
Flightpath April 18, 2024
This edition covers product distribution strategies (wholesale expansion, shop-in-shops, social commerce) and in-store tech trends (POS, RFID, digital screens), with PredictSpring as featured partner. Podcast guests: Walmart's Denise Incandela and Nordstrom's Pete Nordstrom.
Flightpath April 4, 2024
This FLIGHTPATH edition covers the luxury e-commerce shakeout (MATCHES bankruptcy, Farfetch's decline) and the opportunity it creates for department stores like Saks and Nordstrom; previews the Re:Tech Disrupt conference in Israel; spotlights partner Taggstar's social proof tools; and features two new Retail Pilot episodes — BMO analyst Simeon Siegel on TJX, Under Armour, and Peloton, and Citizens of Humanity's Amy Williams on her denim industry career.
Flightpath March 21, 2024
This week's FLIGHTPATH covers Retail Media Networks as a Shoptalk hot topic, the case for Tech Platform Consolidation, a spotlight on post-purchase partner Narvar, and a look back at Ken's Retail Pilot conversation with Todd Snyder, founder of his eponymous menswear brand.

