Chris Cassell

I just finished reading the latest report from RSR Research (Retail Systems Research) on the State of the Retail Workforce, and it confirms something many of us have been seeing firsthand: 👉 Retail doesn’t have a labor problem. 👉 It has a workforce model problem. Nearly 75% of store associates feel underpaid and overworked, while fewer than half see a real career path. At the same time, retailers still believe customers “love” stores—yet only 25% of shoppers agree. That disconnect is showing up on the sales floor every day. What’s changed is the environment: Customers are more informed, more impatient, and more demanding Store teams are juggling fulfillment, returns, and service simultaneously And expectations now mirror the speed and convenience of digital The most important takeaway? The gap between expectation and execution is widening—and it’s not sustainable. But the report also highlights a clear path forward. The retailers outperforming the market aren’t just hiring differently—they’re operating differently: Investing in associate-facing technology (mobile POS, real-time inventory, training tools) Enabling true “phygital” experiences And most importantly, empowering associates with visibility and communication tools Because in today’s environment, empowerment = performance. The bottom line: Retail success is no longer about labor optimization. It’s about associate enablement. Those who continue to treat the workforce as a cost center will struggle. Those who treat it as a competitive advantage will win. To get your copy of this powerful new report, visit https://lnkd.in/gKST3TXA #Retail #Workforce #RetailInnovation #Omnichannel #RetailCareers #DigitalTransformation #RetailLeadership #CustomerExperience

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NRF’s 2026 Policy Priorities — The Right Direction for Retail I’ve taken a close look at the National Retail Federation’s updated policy agenda for 2026, and I genuinely believe this set of priorities is well-aligned with the real needs of the retail economy — both for operators and for the consumers we serve. In a business built on tight margins, complex supply chains, and evolving consumer expectations, having a policy framework that supports resilience, innovation, and responsible growth is critical. The NRF’s agenda does a solid job of balancing practical near-term priorities with future-ready policy thinking. A few points that resonate strongly: 🔹 Workforce and skills development. In a labor-intensive sector like retail, enabling pathways for skills advancement, retention, and mobility is not just good policy — it’s good business. Sustainable careers fuel stronger customer engagement and operational effectiveness. 🔹 Trade and supply chain policy. Retail is global by design, and predictable trade policy — coupled with resilient logistics networks — underpins price stability, assortment flexibility, and competitiveness. Reducing unnecessary friction here matters. 🔹 Digital economy & technology governance. As we integrate AI, data-driven personalization, and automated fulfilment into commerce, sensible policies that protect consumers without stifling innovation are essential. 🔹 Tax and regulatory certainty. Clear, consistent, and fair tax policy allows retailers at every scale to plan long term, invest with confidence, and compete on a level playing field. 🔹 Consumer privacy & security. Retail depends on trust — and advancing standards that protect consumers while enabling relevant experiences strike the right balance. 🔹 Infrastructure & community integration. From broadband access to freight networks, infrastructure policy directly affects how retailers serve customers and support local economies. This agenda isn’t abstract. It reflects realities that retail leaders see on the ground every day — from hiring challenges to cross-border sourcing to digital trust. Retail is the nation's largest private employer, an economic anchor in countless communities, and a front-line connector between innovation and daily life. We benefit when policy supports predictability, investment, and responsible growth — and this 2026 agenda, in my view, does just that. Well done, NRF! #RetailPolicy #NRF #RetailStrategy #SupplyChain #WorkforceDevelopment #DigitalEconomy #ConsumerTrust #RetailInnovation #OmnichannelRetail #EconomicGrowth https://lnkd.in/gbHjYXwZ

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Janice Burk, vice president of supply chain technology at Lowe's Companies, Inc.'s, discusses how evolving customer expectations have led the company to develop proprietary fulfillment solutions. These systems, which include artificial intelligence and machine learning models, enable efficient order routing and inventory positioning, as well as help employees focus on value-added tasks by automating repetitive ones. Great post by Total Retail! https://lnkd.in/gpXA_UHu Stephanie Sharp

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🚀 What’s next for Lowe’s digital commerce in 2026? More AI. More marketplace. More video. And most importantly, more confidence for the customer. In a recent piece by Melissa Daniels, I had the opportunity to share how we’re evolving Lowe’s digital experience alongside Tim Glomb of Wunderkind. A few highlights from the conversation: 🧠 On AI that actually helps customers get projects done: “Take a picture of your kitchen and reimagine it in real time.” 🛒 On marketplace speed and relevance: “If anything starts to trend on social, we immediately begin bringing that product into our ecosystem.” 🎥 On why video matters more than ever: Video on PDPs helps customers understand what they’re buying, how it works, and whether it’s right for their project, especially for high-consideration purchases. 🎯 On the true north: “Helping customers across their entire journey and solving real problems is our mandate.” I loved Tim’s perspective on why AI assistants like Mylow are powerful when they’re grounded in real intent: “The app is suggesting the things you forgot.” The takeaway: AI isn’t the headline.. outcomes are. Less friction. Fewer mistakes. More confidence from inspiration to installation. Grateful for the conversation and the chance to share where we’re headed. #DigitalCommerce #RetailInnovation #AI #Marketplace #VideoCommerce #CustomerExperience #RetailTech #Omnichannel #Ecommerce #HomeImprovement #ProductContent #Personalization #AgenticAI

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Lowe’s is expanding its online marketplace—and it’s a smart play. By partnering with Mirakl, they’re delivering on the #Lowes Total Home strategy by opening the door to more third-party sellers and more product variety, without taking on more inventory risk. This isn’t just about adding SKUs. It’s about becoming more flexible, more digital, and more competitive with Amazon and Wayfair. At NIQ, we’re seeing 3P marketplaces grow fast—especially in home improvement. Brands are using them to test new products and reach shoppers faster. Retailers are using them to learn what works and adjust their own assortments. Bottom line: Lowe’s is building a smarter, more scalable platform. If you’re a supplier, now’s the time to sharpen your 3P strategy. #HomeImprovement #RetailStrategy #MarketplaceGrowth #3PStrategy #Lowe’sMarketplace #NIQInsights https://lnkd.in/gSwgX6z5

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The lines are blurring: Lowe's $1.3B Artisan Design Group (ADG) acquisition What does this mean for the industry? Shifting Landscape: We're seeing a trend of independent design firms expanding beyond pure design and venturing into product sales and installation within the home building sector. Lowe's acquisition of Artisan Design Group (ADG), a major player in interior surface finishes, for a staggering $1.3 billion, underscores this shift. ADG, with its impressive $1.8 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue and 132 facilities across 18 states, demonstrates the significant market opportunity here. Acquisition Opportunities: This move by Lowe's could very well tee up additional acquisition opportunities for other established players in the home improvement and building materials space. Companies will likely be eyeing similar design firms with strong distribution networks and installation capabilities to bolster their offerings and tap into this growing market segment. Builder Perspectives: What do builders think? This trend could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a more streamlined process – a one-stop-shop for design and materials. This could lead to greater efficiency and potentially lower costs. On the other hand, it might raise concerns about reduced choice and potential limitations on design flexibility if fewer independent firms remain. The home building industry is evolving rapidly. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues to shape the market and what impact it has on builders, designers, and homeowners alike. #homebuilding #design #acquisition #lowes #artisanDesignGroup #industrytrends

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Great summary of where AI is headed. I’ve been fortunate to help stand up agentic capabilities at Walmart—small agents, big workflows, governed end-to-end. We're using AI to tighten loops, close gaps, and help our customers save money and live better! #Walmart #AI #Agentic #Agentdeveloper #BusinessEngineer #hiring

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Retail leadership has never moved faster — or been more demanding. I recently shared thoughts with Allison Smith at Modern Retail on why retail CEOs today have the shortest tenures of any industry. 📣 “It almost feels like the retail CEO’s job in 2025 has been a marathon run, but at a sprinter’s pace.” The pace of transformation, omnichannel evolution, and shifting consumer expectations have made this role both exhilarating and exhausting. Sustained success now requires endurance, adaptability, and alignment between boards and leadership teams around long-term growth — not just near-term results. #Retail #RetailCEO #OmnichannelRetail #CEOturnover Russell Reynolds Associates Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwcrzJSX

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"The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail. We aren't just watching the shift, we are driving it,” said John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S. and incoming President and CEO of Walmart Inc. “We want to help customers get what they need and want, when and where they want it. Partnering with Google to bring the Walmart experience directly into Gemini is another step toward creating seamless shopping experiences for customers and members that are more intuitive and personal than ever before." https://lnkd.in/gMdbsa-K

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