117. Retail Media Gets Real: Steve Dietch

117. Retail Media Gets Real: Steve Dietch

Author: Shekar Raman Gary Hawkins July 22, 2025 Duration: 41:30

In this episode of The Retail Perch, Gary and Shekar welcome Steven Dietch, Chief Revenue Officer at Bridg, for a timely conversation on how retail media is reshaping the industry. From his early days in computer science to IBM Sweden and now leading strategy at Bridg, Steve shares how platforms like Bridg and Rippl are helping retailers turn shopper data into powerful engagement. The three dive into the opportunities and challenges facing regional players, the role of AI and third-party data, and growing concerns around data privacy and security.


Hosted by Shekar Raman, CEO of Birdzi, and Gary Hawkins, CEO of the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology, The Retail Perch offers a unique vantage point on the rapidly changing world of retail. This isn't just industry analysis; it's a series of conversations that dig into the practical intersections of technology, consumer behavior, and business strategy. Each episode provides a fresh perspective, challenging conventional thinking about how everyday retail operations are being transformed. The hosts draw from their deep frontline experience to build a new framework for understanding everything from your local grocery store to global e-commerce trends. Recognized among the top grocery industry podcasts to follow, the discussions here are grounded in real-world application. Tuning into this podcast means hearing directly from two thought leaders who are actively shaping the future of the sector, breaking down complex ideas into actionable insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone curious about the business of selling. You'll find a focus on the tangible forces-data, AI, logistics, and customer experience-that are redrawing the competitive landscape right now.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Retail Perch
Podcast Episodes
130. What Does Retail 5.0 Really Mean? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
In this episode of Retail Perch, Gary and Shekar reunite to discuss Gary’s new paper, Retail 5.0: The Age of Bionic Orchestration. They explore how AI and retail innovation mirror human anatomy, the shift from making dec…
129. Tackling Operational Inefficiency in Retail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Courtney Adams, VP of Marketing, and Kate McCormick, Director of Solution Engineering at Birdzi, discuss why retail operations need to move beyond “that’s how we’ve always done it.” A…
128. Demystifying Artificial Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:05
Gary and Shekar return to The Retail Perch to dive into all things AI and introduce a new format for the series. Future episodes will feature more voices and perspectives, exploring a wider range of topics around Birdzi,…
127. Defining Reality for Your Team with Steve Worthy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:12
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Shekar Raman sits down with Steve Worthy, Managing Director and North America Head of Growth at Competitor IQ, and CEO of Worthy Retail Global. With more than 27 years in retail, Stev…
126. Where Data Meets Retail Innovation with Zoher Karu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Shekar Raman is joined by Zoher Karu to discuss data, analytics, and what it takes to make information truly actionable. Zoher shares his journey from earning a PhD in Electrical Engi…
124. Peter Bond: The Power of Connection in Retail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:07
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Shekar Raman and Gary Hawkins are joined by Peter Bond, Co-Host of The CPG Guys and Head of Industry and Client Engagement at Flywheel. Peter discusses the role of the podcast communi…
123. The Human Journey of Retail and AI with Dave Finnegan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:04
In this episode of Retail Perch, Dave Finnegan, Chief Connection Officer at Black Finn and Ambassador to the CMO and Digital Councils at the National Retail Federation, joins Shekar Raman and Gary Hawkins to discuss how…
121. AI in Retail: Risks, Realities, and the Future with Lee Gaul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Gary Hawkins and guest co-host Courtney Adams welcome Lee Gaul, AI Expert at Long Horizon AI, for a candid conversation about artificial intelligence.Lee brings a cautionary perspecti…