Modern Retail Podcast

Hosted ByCale Weissman & Gabi Barkho

The Modern Retail Podcast is a podcast about the retail space, from legacy companies to the buzzy world of DTC startups. Every Thursday, Cale Weissman, editor of Modern Retail, interviews executives about their growth and marketing strategies. And every Saturday Gabi Barkho, senior reporter, sits down with the Modern Retail staff to chat about the latest headlines in the retail world.


All Episodes

The Modern Retail Podcast | Where Boll & Branch draws the line on AI-generated advertising

These days, it is borderline expected that brands will use artificial intelligence in at least some capacity as part of their marketing. But they also have to tread carefully;...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Where Boll & Branch draws the line on AI-generated advertising
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Why fragrance is the new key to commanding a premium price tag

Fragrance continues to dominate the beauty sector in 2026, but it’s increasingly showing up as a differentiator in other sectors like personal care and household essentials.This week on the...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Why fragrance is the new key to commanding a premium price tag
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | The new life cycle of a brand ‘cancellation’

In an era where a brand’s reputation is tethered to the relentless cycles of social media, silence is no longer a defensive strategy for brands and can even become...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | The new life cycle of a brand ‘cancellation’
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | The big business of dorm decor

This year, back-to-college spending is estimated to cross $100 billion for the first time, according to data from the National Retail Federation. About $14 billion of that, or about...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | The big business of dorm decor
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | The pros and cons of taking on private equity

For many founder-led brands, the transition from a scrappy, bootstrapped startup to a major retail player is the ultimate test of sustainable growth. For some, that means taking on...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | The pros and cons of taking on private equity
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | How Once Upon a Farm is shaking up the baby aisle with coolers

Once Upon a Farm is on a growth trajectory that is powered in large part by a new look in the baby aisle. The brand, founded in 2015, offers...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | How Once Upon a Farm is shaking up the baby aisle with coolers
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | The cyclospora outbreak is creating a PR headache for food businesses

Many Americans have spent the last few weeks contemplating whether to eat fresh produce, due to concerning headlines about the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. The parasite is creating a wave...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | The cyclospora outbreak is creating a PR headache for food businesses
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Best Buy’s bet on Meta Ray Bans and shop-in-shops

As an official sales partner for Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Best Buy is rethinking what it means to deliver experiential retail in the age of AI. This week on the...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Best Buy’s bet on Meta Ray Bans and shop-in-shops
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | How Bloom Nutrition is expanding internationally

For many U.S. retail startups, expanding international distribution is the ultimate goal to establish themselves as a truly global brand.In the era of digital storefronts and globalized social media...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | How Bloom Nutrition is expanding internationally
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Inside AG1’s product expansion playbook (RERUN)

Nutrition and supplement company AG1 famously built a $600 million business off of a single SKU. Then, in 2025, the brand made major leaps by introducing new flavors and...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Inside AG1’s product expansion playbook (RERUN)
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | P.F. Candle Co.’s Made in America strategy (RERUN)

In honor of July 4, this week the Modern Retail Podcast is revisiting an episode featuring P.F. Candle Company, which produces its candles in Los Angeles. Co-hosts Gabi Barkho...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | P.F. Candle Co.’s Made in America strategy (RERUN)
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Listener mailbag: How AI and Substack are changing affiliate marketing

Few areas of digital marketing have exploded in recent years as much as affiliate marketing. What’s more, it’s actually proving effective: eMarketer in September said that affiliate marketing would...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Listener mailbag: How AI and Substack are changing affiliate marketing
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Is Prime Day still worth it?

Amazon Prime Day isn’t as essential as it once was. But for some brands, it can still provide a meaningful sales boost.On this week’s episode of the Modern Retail...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Is Prime Day still worth it?
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | Why the World Cup is a make or break moment for retail this summer

On this week’s Modern Retail Podcast, senior reporter Gabriela Barkho is joined by executive editor Anna Hensel to talk all things World Cup marketing. This week, Modern Retail ran...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | Why the World Cup is a make or break moment for retail this summer
Loading
/

The Modern Retail Podcast | The next era of Pride Month marketing

Pride Month is underway, marking a season of celebration that’s become a mainstay for some brands. But earning the trust of LGBTQ+ audiences goes far beyond rainbow merch or...

Read More
Modern Retail Podcast
Modern Retail Podcast
The Modern Retail Podcast | The next era of Pride Month marketing
Loading
/