We’re delighted to present a thought-provoking session where Brian Walker, CEO of Retail Doctor Group, reconnects with Nikki Baird, VP Strategy and Product at Aptos, for their second illuminating conversation.
Episode highlights include:
- Exploration of the physical store’s critical role in creating emotional brand connections for pandemic-influenced younger consumers
- Honest discussion about the inventory pendulum swinging between physical and digital channels—and why retailers haven’t found the right balance
- Fresh insights into the “store of the future” concept, including appointment-based shopping experiences and targeted inventory curation
- Practical considerations about labour challenges and addressing the global phenomenon of deteriorating customer behaviour
- Nikki’s candid assessment of agentic AI at NRF 2025—separating genuine innovation from “shiny object syndrome”
- Provocative discussion about how consumer-controlled AI shopping bots might eventually commoditise retail brands
- Pragmatic evaluation of enterprise-level AI adoption and whether current enthusiasm justifies future cost implications
- The enduring truth that “consumers expect you to solve their loneliness problems” amid technological advancement
Spanning Sydney to Colorado, this conversation with Nikki Baird offers invaluable perspective for retail leaders navigating the tension between operational efficiency and meaningful customer experiences.
Drawing from her extensive career and frequent Forbes contributions, the discussion provides a balanced view of retail’s technological future while acknowledging the fundamentally human nature of shopping experiences.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟱-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.
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