2026 Retail Trends Every Independent Store Must Know
It’s the beginning of the year, and for independent retailers, knowing what consumers are buying is half the battle. In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with...
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Things I’d Do to Build Million-Dollar Cash Flow From Scratch
What would you do if you had to start over tomorrow with no email list, no team, and no safety net but all the wisdom you have now? To kick...
How Small Retailers Can Use AI to Compete Like Big Brands
AI is no longer just for big-box retailers with massive budgets. In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis talks with AI entrepreneur RJ Talyor. They explore how small and...
Investing in Relationships That Power Your Retail Business
n this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis talks with marriage and relationship counselor Kathy Rushing. They explore why communication and intentional relationship-building are essential for healthy retail teams. These...
The 15-Minute Monthly Reset for Retailers
In this episode, I'm sharing a practical look at the power of a monthly business debrief. Sparked by a coaching client who resisted the process at first, this conversation walks...
Agentic AI and the Future of Retail Execution
Retail AI is evolving — and the biggest breakthroughs are happening after the sale. In this episode of the Rethink Retail Podcast, host Michael Zakkour speaks with Aadil Kazmi, Head...
Brand Growth Insights: Marketplaces & Ecosystems
Unlock the Future of Brand Growth Discover what’s changing fastest in how brands grow today, straight from industry leaders who are shaping modern commerce. The RETHINK Retail Podcast takes you...
Mystery March: Why Sales Decline When Shop Standards Slip
In this first Mystery March episode, I'm sharing a fictional case study about a thriving yarn shop that begins to see a quiet decline in sales after the owner steps...
Retail Mystery March: Is Your Inventory Priced for Profit?
Why would a shop that has been open for over a decade, has loyal customers, strong brands, and steady traffic have stalled growth or even a decline in business? In...
AI Checkout, Shrink Reduction, and the Future of Front-End Optimization
What does it really take to win over Gen Z and Gen Alpha in 2026? Frictionless checkout has become one of the most discussed topics in retail technology. But for...
Why Strong Sales Don’t Always Equate to Healthy Profits
In this episode of the Retail Mystery Series, I’ll walk you through a common situation many shop owners experience but struggle to explain. Sales are strong. The shop is busy....
Q3 2026 Specialty Retail Outlook: Demand Didn’t Disappear. The Threshold Moved.
Six months into 2026, the American consumer absorbed a war, $4.49 gas, a 74-year sentiment low, five months of accelerating inflation, and negative real wages. They kept showing up. Real...