We've spent the last 20 years technologizing retail, making it bigger, faster and more global. But that's also meant an unprecedented and often deadly level of competition in every category. In this episode Doug discusses the greatest challenge facing all retailers and brands today, and why technology alone won't save them. But something else just …

Geopolitical events have disrupted retail, but retail has also contributed to geopolitical disruption, argues host Doug Stephens. And it's making us all unsafe.By Doug Stephens

In this special episode, Doug sits down with Retail Dive columnist Daphne Howland for a wide-ranging interview on the future of retail. From emerging technology and demographic trends to the new strategic imperatives to succeed in retail, and much more.By Doug Stephens

Underdog humor, platform-specific nuance and engaging with a community from the inside, the Contrarian’s joyful resilience is remodelling social media as a space for making people smile, (without the virtue signalling). In this episode, writer and editor Adrienne Matei shares tips on how brands can connect with the Contrarian mindset via communicat…

Soft fascination, biophilic design, extrinsic communication; how do we take a more socio-psychological approach to using design as a wellbeing tool? In this episode, architectural and interior designer Oliver Heath shares tips on how brands can empower the Culture Steward to feel happier in both their home and local community. Explore the full Expe…

Keen to rebuild the world, the Systems Sceptic is turning to NFTs, crypto and virtual worlds to claw back control. For brands, this means getting clued up on game economies, hybrid blockchain models to liven up your product and investing in smartphone experiences. In this episode, game producer and consultant John Wolff shares tips on how brands ca…

Subverting traditional entertainment behaviors, the Contrarian is looking for content that is deeply savvy; delivering home truths about human nature in a cheeky way, without being savage. In this episode, TED speaker and managing director of the Norman Lear Center Johanna Blakley shares tips on how media and entertainment brands can engage with th…

Consciously recrafting the beauty landscape to align with calls for proof of heritage, ingredient authenticity, and demographic transcendent marketing, today’s beauty consumer is steering change by exercising their power. In this episode, global culture and beauty trends expert Shabana Ebrahem shares tips on how beauty brands can deliver for the Cu…

The tensions between financial inequalities, mistrust of banks, decreased reliance upon the employer, and DIY crypto investing are converging. Are we headed for a potential consumer money management meltdown, or a more democratic and flexible financial future? In this episode, personal finance expert Laura Whateley shares tips on how money brands c…

Amid the sea of turmoil in the retail sector and the weekly waves of disastrous news, at least one brand is not merely staying afloat but thriving. Nike has not only endured the crisis but also managed to accelerate through it. But far from being the result of a desperate pandemic-induced pivot or some happy accident, the seeds of Nike’s current re…

The Findings Report has been on hiatus, but in our downtime produce Larry Vincent developed a limited series called The Customer Class. The show focuses on how senior business leaders find and keep the people businesses can't live without: customers. The first episode features an interview with SoulCycle co-founder Julie Rice.…

The global decline of religion and eroding faith in government is creating a societal vacuum where trust in conventional institutions once existed. It's a vacuum that some brands are daring to fill. But can brands succeed in instigating lasting social and environmental good and, if so, at what cost? In this, the premiere episode of 2020, Doug explo…

In this episode Doug argues that the most important metric in retail is something that most retailers aren't even measuring.By Doug Stephens

For centuries luxury brands appealed to our sense of status to sell their goods. But for a new generation of western consumers, the notion of what defines status is changing. The question is can luxury brands change with it.

In this episode, Doug explores the current battle cry in retail that "every company is a data company".

Do introverts have an advantage or a disadvantage in the workplace? How should we design the personality of our future AI colleagues? Bestselling author Matthew Pollard and Justine Cassell provide insight.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Amidst what most agree is a virtual collapse of the department store model for retail, one entrepreneur in Texas is aiming to redefine the channel. In this episode I speak with Matt Alexander, founder of Neighborhood Goods, a new-concept department store in Plano Texas.

Many experts believe that we must change our attitudes about masculinity in order to affect changes in gender norms and equality. Guests Michael Ian Black, Gary Barker, and Linda Tuncay Zayer join us for a discussion about redefining manhood.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Trust is viewed as an essential business success metric. But numerous studies suggest that our trust in governments, organizations and businesses has been declining. Guests Ben Boyd and Kent Grayson tackle the core issues.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion and a frequent go-to for marketers. Nowhere is nostalgia more prevalent than in music. In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of music-based nostalgia with guest Jesse K, Petr Janata and Rob Kozinets.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

US consumers spend over $70 billion a year on care for the pets, a massive increase over the years. Guests Dan Miller, Loni Edwards and Renée Felice Smith unpack the behavior driving the trend.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

American families are getting smaller, making middle children an endangered species. Guests Adam Sternbergh and Catherine Salmon explain the ramifications.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Work life has changed considerably in America. Photojournalist Josh Rose shares insights from his travels interviewing American workers, and author Louis Hyman shares perspective on the challenges of the growing Temp Economy.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

The best jobs in the future will go to those who can deliver creativity on demand. Guests Amy Aniobi, Allen Gannett and Page Moreau debunk popular myths about creativity and provide insights to help anyone improve their creative game.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Every leader knows the strategic importance of questions like 'what' and 'why', but they often overlook 'when'. In the season two opener, Molly and Larry interview bestselling author Daniel Pink about his book WHEN and his insights on the hidden power of timing. They also interview researchers Jonah Berger and Kelley Gullo about their recent study …

The Findings Report is back, with an exciting line up of guests and insights on why people buy, like and share.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

In 2013 I wrote an article called The Store is Media where I projected a new era of retail where the primary purpose of physical stores would cease to be to sell products but rather to create and monetize customer experiences. Today, a new class of pioneering retailers and industry players are bringing this concept to life. In this episode, I caugh…

Each year the retail industry invests billions of dollars in customer loyalty programs but do they actually make customers more loyal? In this episode Doug explores the surprising truth about our loyalty to retailers and why a new breed of program is turning the industry on its head.By Doug Stephens

Molly and Larry explore the power of labels, including the mysterious case of Red Bull and Vodka. Guests Yann Cornil, Aradhna Krishna, and Christina Perozzi provide context. More information in the episode guide.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Many brands are tying themselves to charitable causes in order to win consumer affection, but is it a good business strategy. Author Anne Bahr Thompson and USC professor Adlai Wertman provide insights and answers. More information and links in the episode guide.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

We continue our two-part series on American generations, featuring our interview with bestselling author Neil Howe. In this episode, we debate the merits and challenges of Millennials and Generation X. Find links and more details from the show in the episode guide.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

What's the real difference between a Millennial and a Gen Xer? And why should we care? We unpack the nuances with bestselling author Neil Howe in the first of a two-part series on American generations. Find more information in the episode guideBy Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

When you're making a pitch, your target knows a lot about your tactics. It's called persuasion knowledge. We interview author Paul Smith, and researchers Kent Grayson and Mathew Isaac for tips on how to make it work to your advantage.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Sounds is the forgotten spice. In this episode we delve into the way that sound affects perceptions of brands and product experiences. Guests Maxime Goulet, Michael Lowe and Charles Spence provide useful examples.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Feminism is again at the forefront of the news, with #MeToo starting a new wave of activism and engagement. Many brands have been tailoring their appeals to women. Guests Heather LeFevre, Linda Ong and Shelley Zalis weigh in on what works and what doesn't.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

Horror is often a third rail for marketers. But fear sells tickets at the box office and a new study reveals it might bring people closer to brands. Guests Matt Kaplan and Lea Dunn share insights on how to go to market with frights.By Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent

The Fyre Festival was one of the biggest trainwrecks of 2017. But aside from being social media catnip, it also offered a case study on the growing power of social media, influencers and our daily life online. Filmmaker Nicco Quiñones joins us to discuss UNDER THE INFLUENCE, his upcoming documentary about the event, and culture analyst Linda Ong pr…

In a world where radical business innovation is now a matter of survival, many companies are held back by the very thing they care most about. In this episode, Doug shares one simple way of instigating breakthrough creativity in any business.By Doug Stephens

The Findings Report is a new show about consumer behavior, launching January 16th. In this pre-season backgrounder, co-hosts Molly Schreiber and Larry Vincent explain what the shows about and who's doing the talking.By Larry Vincent

The first season of The Findings Report launches Tuesday, January 16th. Join co-hosts Larry Vincent and Molly Schreiber for stories about why people buy, like and share.By Larry Vincent

While the retail industry grapples to play checkers, Amazon has become a Grandmaster of chess, quietly drawing retailers into the ultimate technological checkmate.By Doug Stephens