126. Where Data Meets Retail Innovation with Zoher Karu

126. Where Data Meets Retail Innovation with Zoher Karu

Author: Shekar Raman Gary Hawkins December 9, 2025 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 Engineering at MIT to building a career focused on customer data and enterprise wide analytics, including his role as VP and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Blue Shield of California. They explore how companies with growing data sets can approach leveraging them effectively, and Zoher also highlights his current work with Taelor.Style, an AI powered menswear rental platform.


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
49. Interview with Victor Penev of Edamam LLC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
In this episode of The Retail Perch, Gary and Shekar delve even deeper into the world nutrition data with Victor Penev, CEO of Edamam. Edamam offers affordable value-added nutrition data to businesses in the food and hea…
48. Interview with Marcus Sredzinski of ScriptSave [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:47
In an effort to stay healthy during the Covid Pandemic, many shoppers started to examine how the food they eat affects their health and well-being. Marcus Sredzinski, COO/EVP ScriptSave is the perfect candidate to speak…
47. Interview with Annette Franke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
“How granularly you define your customer is how much better and refined your insights will be about them as an individual."- Annette Franke. If you are in grocery retail, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Annett…
46. Interview with Greg Ferrara of National Grocers Association [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:24
Just in time for the NGA Show, Gary and Shekar welcome Greg Ferrara, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association. Greg shares his observations of how independent grocery has faired in the last year and how the…
44. Interview with Steve Dennis author of Remarkable Retail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:58
This week Gary and Shekar have the pleasure of speaking with Steve Dennis, author, strategic advisor, senior Forbes contributor, and podcast host. The three discuss the difference between buying and selling, the pitfalls…
43. Richard Kestenbaum  of Triangle Capital LLC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
Do not miss this fascinating episode with Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital LLC and contributor at Forbes.com. Gary, Shekar, and Richard discuss the impact the growth of online has had on physical store eco…
42. Interview with Sandra Duff of Jackman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:21
This week Gary and Shekar interview Sandra Duff, President of Jackman, a customer engagement firm, whose clients include Lululemon, KAY Jewelers, and Staples. The three discuss the categories that will need to work harde…
41. Interview with ShiSh Shridhar of Microsoft Startups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
In this episode, Gary and Shekar take a brief departure from grocery retail and speak with ShiSh Shridhar, Global Retail Lead for Microsoft Startups. ShiSh shares his insights into how the culture of innovation can be im…
40. Retail Roundup! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
It's high time for another Retail Round up where Gary and Shekar delve into some of the latest retail tech news. In this episode, they cover the latest FMI Shopper Trends Report, hybrid stores, Instacart's partnership wi…