Global Retail Development from Concept to Market: A Conversation with Liza Amlani

10/03/24 • 47 min

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Ever wondered how a global retail strategist balances the fine line between human touch and cutting-edge technology? Join us as we sit down with Liza, the dynamic co-founder of Retail Strategy Group, to uncover secrets from her illustrious career spanning iconic brands like Harrods, Ralph Lauren, and Nike. From her early dreams in fashion design to her pivotal roles in buying and marketing, Liza's journey is a masterclass in perseverance and adaptability. Discover her unique approach to retail that prioritizes meaningful change over mere noise, and learn how her extensive travels and global experiences have shaped her visionary outlook.
In this episode, we dive into the nitty-gritty of Liza's career milestones, from navigating failures like a sleepwear line at Club Monaco to mastering the art of customer service and brand localization. Gain valuable insights into building and testing retail trends, and understand the crucial balance between listening to customer feedback and maintaining fundamental business practices. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring entrepreneur, Liza's candid reflections offer a treasure trove of lessons and strategies for success in the ever-evolving retail landscape.
But there's more—Liza opens up about the unique challenges faced by women of color in the retail industry and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Hear her inspiring stories of overcoming discouraging advice and transforming negative feedback into powerful motivation. With organizations like the Women of Color Retail Alliance playing a pivotal role, Liza emphasizes how diverse recruitment practices can drive business performance and innovation. Don't miss this empowering conversation that not only highlights Liza's professional achievements but also her passion for promoting a more inclusive and dynamic retail industry.
Liza's Bio:
Liza Amlani is the Principal and Co-Founder of Retail Strategy Group. The firm works with retailers and brands, helping them improve profitability and organizational effectiveness.
Clients span apparel, footwear, luxury, retail tech, and more. Liza is a respected voice and is cited in Forbes, Bloomberg, Chain Store Age, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Sourcing Journal, and Footwear News.
Liza has been recognized by Rethink Retail as a “Top Retail Expert of 2024.” This honor is given to a select group of experts chosen from a group of 400 nominees.
Before founding Retail Strategy Group, Liza was the merchandising expert in Accenture’s retail strategy practice. Before that, she spent 20+ in retail with companies including Ralph Lauren, Club Monaco, Sporting Life and more.
She brings a wealth of global insight to her clients given the number of countries in which she has resided – Liza has moved 29 times in her life from Canada to the UK to Africa. Today, New York City is home as she teaches at the renowned Fashion Institute of Technology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizaamlani/

Previous Episode

Balancing Authenticity and Innovation in Marketing: A Conversation with Doug Zarkin

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What happens when you mix high-energy marketing genius with raw authenticity? You get Doug Zarkin. Today, we're bringing you an inspiring conversation with Doug Zarkin, the marketing mastermind behind heavy-hitting brands like Pearl Vision and Victoria's Secret. Doug opens up about navigating the peaks and valleys of his career journey, from high school rejections to pivotal career decisions. He takes us behind the scenes of writing his book, "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone," sharing his unique blend of art and science in marketing and how his education at George Washington University shaped his path. Doug's stories and insights are for aspiring marketers and anyone looking to make a meaningful impact.
Are loyalty programs transforming customer experiences or just another gimmick? Discover Doug's perspective on the evolving landscape of brand loyalty and innovation as we discuss standout programs like Marriott's Bonvoy and Delta's service enhancements. Doug shares how Marriott's flexible check-out times and Delta’s improved service offerings are setting new standards in customer satisfaction. We also touch on the balance between technological innovation and practical customer service solutions, highlighting the future of CRM systems in creating more human-centric business practices.
Authenticity and vulnerability in leadership? Yes, please. Doug’s candid discussion on company culture offers a fresh perspective on first impressions during the interview process and the role of real-time feedback. From self-deprecating leadership to the quirks of daily life, Doug's anecdotes reveal the importance of balancing professional and personal life with humor and relatability. He leaves us with powerful advice on embracing authenticity and using setbacks as stepping stones for success. Tune in for a treasure trove of wisdom from a marketing leader who truly walks the talk.
Doug Zarkin Biography:
Doug Zarkin is a renowned Chief Marketing Officer celebrated for his strategic acumen in brand revitalization, team leadership, and driving significant growth across multiple sectors. With a career that began in advertising, Doug co-founded G-WHiZ!, Grey Advertising’s division focused on youth, entertainment, and lifestyle marketing, crafting campaigns that captivated audiences nationwide. His tenure at Avon Products marked the launch of the “Mark.” brand, achieving $118 million in revenue within 18 months. At Victoria’s Secret PINK, as Vice President of Marketing, he transformed it into a $400 million brand, showcasing his ability to scale brands significantly. Doug’s impactful roles at global apparel giants Warnaco and Kellwood further underscored his marketing prowess. Doug is currently the Chief Customer Officer at Good Feet Holdings and previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Luxottica’s Pearle Vision, where he led a transformative brand overhaul that not only changed the company's market perception from discount to quality care but also sustained double-digit profit growth over eight years. This repositioning helped place Pearle Vision at the top of Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise list. His leadership has earned him multiple Effie and Clio awards and a place in a Harvard Business School case study on brand revival. Doug is also the author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone," encapsulating his expertise in crafting influential brand narratives and fostering deep consumer connections.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougzarkin/To purchase "Moving Your Brand Out of The Friend Zone", visit:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKD7F4S4

Next Episode

Balancing Art, Science, and Leadership in Retail: A Conversation with Deirdre Fitzgerald

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Discover the compelling journey of Deirdre Fitzgerald, President of International for Knitwell Group, as she takes you through her inspiring career in retail. From her initial days at Bloomingdale's through her transformative experiences at New Balance, Deirdre's path is marked by pivotal moments that shaped her into the leader she is today. Tune in to hear how a passion for retail blossomed from her background in English literature to her dynamic roles across cosmetics and men's apparel confirmed her calling in this vibrant industry.
Unearth the delicate interplay of art and science that defines retail merchandising today. Deirdre shares her expertise on balancing intuition with data-driven insights, offering a fresh take on making informed product and consumer decisions. As traditional training programs like Bloomingdale's fade, we explore new strategies for nurturing talent and the critical role of localization in global markets. Discover the unique challenges faced by merchants and the evolving role they play in shaping the future of retail.
Gain strategic insights into navigating the retail landscape with a focus on consumer behavior, inventory management, and the balance between online and brick-and-mortar experiences. Deirdre generously imparts career advice, underscoring the importance of long-term thinking, effective leadership, and embracing failure as a powerful learning tool. Highlighting the value of mentorship and team development, she emphasizes the significance of personal growth, continuous learning, and the strength of individual relationships. Join us as we wrap up with Deirdre's refreshing perspective on leadership, life inspirations, and the camaraderie that fuels success in this ever-evolving industry.
Biography: DEIRDRE FITZGERALD

Deirdre FitzGerald is the President of International for KnitWell Group a dominant portfolio of women’s specialty retail brands including Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, and White House Black Market, that together generate more than $6 Billion in sales annually. In her role Deirdre leads the development and implementation of growth strategies designed to expand the value and reach of the brands through strategic partnerships domestically and internationally.

Previously, Deirdre served as President of the Talbots brand, an iconic American apparel retailer with more than 500 stores across the United States as well as an online business that together generate more than $1.2 billion in sales annually. As President, in partnership with her leadership team, she created stability amidst the pandemic and restored financial growth and profitability to the brand.

Prior to Talbots, Deirdre spent seven years with New Balance where she served as the Executive Vice President of Global Apparel and Licensing. In her role she led the transformation of the Global Apparel design, Innovation, Product management, Merchandising, and Licensing teams, resulting in a period of unprecedented growth and profitability.

Earlier in her career Deirdre spent nearly a decade with the Talbots brand, ultimately serving as the Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Talbots and she also served as the Head of Men's Apparel at J. Crew and in various merchandising roles at Brooks Brothers. Deirdre began her career at Bloomingdales’ where she completed their executive training program.

Deirdre is committed to supporting women and is a member of the Global Board of Directors for Dress for Success, an organization dedicated to empowering women. She is also on the Advisory Board for the Hingham Historical Society and the Board of Directors for Repurpose for a Purpose.

Deirdre holds a BA in English Literature from Hamilton College.

Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-fitzgerald-25653b8/

Retail Relates - Global Retail Development from Concept to Market: A Conversation with Liza Amlani

Transcript

Paula00:00:36.665

So I'm honored to have Liza on the show today because she is a woman that has started her own business . Diverse woman traveled many countries , lived in many places . I believe that she will be an inspiration to a lot of the younger listeners because she really embodies that perseverance and give back and practice what you preach . But , rich Gotham , I want to know what you guys t