EP103: Agentic AI vs. Human Connection: The Future of Retail Explained with Andy Murray

EP103: Agentic AI vs. Human Connection: The Future of Retail Explained with Andy Murray

Author: WSL Strategic Retail December 17, 2025 Duration: 40:57
In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail veteran Andy Murray to dissect the conflicting forces impacting the modern shopper. From the bifurcated "K-shaped" economy to the rise of "vibe shopping" among Gen Z, Andy shares insights from his time at Walmart, ASDA, and P&G, and his current work with the University of Arkansas. Together, they explore a critical paradox: as technology like Agentic AI advances, the human need for physical touch and sensory retail...

Ever feel like the retail world is spinning faster than a checkout carousel? Future Shop Podcast with WSL cuts through the noise, offering a grounded yet forward-looking conversation about the forces reshaping how we buy and sell. Hosted by retail strategist and shopping futurist Wendy Liebmann of WSL Strategic Retail, this series provides a passionate, unvarnished view that always starts with the shopper's perspective. Each episode delves into the practical realities and emerging trends that business leaders need to understand, moving beyond theory to actionable insight. You’ll hear Wendy in conversation with a diverse range of voices-from experts in marketing and design to those in insights and education-who all contribute to the evolving retail landscape. Crucially, the WSL team regularly brings exclusive data to the table, sharing findings from their latest proprietary shopper research that highlight what's coming next. This isn't about vague predictions; it's about understanding the tangible shifts in consumer behavior that are actively transforming retail. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting a direct briefing from the front lines, equipping you with a deeper sense of where we're headed and why. For anyone invested in the business of retail, it serves as an essential audio companion for navigating the future, one informed conversation at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Future Shop Podcast with WSL
Podcast Episodes
EP77: Caregiving – The Next Big Retail Opportunity with AARP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:13
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Reema Jweied-Guegel, Director, AARP Enterprise Strategy Group about the growing population of caregivers, who they are, the challenges they face, and how retailers and brands can…
EP75: The Power of Pets on the Future of Retail, with HABRI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:50
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Lindsey Braun, Vice President of Research & Operations at HABRI (the Human Animal Bond Research Institute) about the power of pets to positively impact the health and wellbeing of…
EP72: AI, Unified Commerce & Getting It Done with Justin Honaman, AWS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue discussions about emerging technology and the im…
EP70: Innovating Beauty Retail -  A Latin View with the WSL team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:28
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL Retail Strategy Consultant, Elia Auchane, and Retail Innovation Manager, Allie Chilicki, about curating a Retail Safari® at the inaugural Cosmoprof Miami event. And the power…