EP107: Beyond the Screen: Why Humanity is Retail’s Secret Weapon in 2026 with Wendy Liebmann and Guests

EP107: Beyond the Screen: Why Humanity is Retail’s Secret Weapon in 2026 with Wendy Liebmann and Guests

Author: WSL Strategic Retail March 18, 2026 Duration: 16:53
As we transition into 2026, the retail landscape is being reshaped by two powerful, seemingly opposite forces: the rapid ascent of autonomous AI and a growing hunger for authentic human connection. In this special year-in-review, Wendy Liebmann reflects on a transformative period of “perpetual chaos,” where shoppers are seizing control of their journeys amid economic and global uncertainty. From the rise of “agentic commerce” to the rebranding of pharmacies as “temples of care,” this episode ...

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…