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Artwork for The Retail Pilot

The Retail Pilot

Ken Pilot
Artificial Intelligence
Retail
Ralph Lauren
Studs
New York
Coach, Inc.
National Retail Federation
Rhone
Rothy's Inc
La Ligne
Vuori
Walmart
Mackage
Luxury Retail
Wholesale
Gap Inc
Thredup
Lew Frankfort
Benvolio Group
Gap Inc.

The Retail Pilot is a series of interviews conducted by Ken Pilot with “Leaders and Legends” of the Retail industry. Ken will focus the conversation on his guests’ career journeys and their greatest career accomplishments and disappointments; gather insight into their leadership styles; learn who inspired them as they progressed through their careers; identify brands they admire; discover challeng... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes112Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementBusiness

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Artwork for The Retail Pilot

Latest Episodes

There's a common assumption in retail right now that the top of the market is the only thing growing. Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData Retail and one of the industry's most-followed analysts, doesn't buy it. "Every broad income group ha... more

YouTube

When Joe Kudla launched Vuori out of a Southern California garage in 2013, he was betting against his own track record. He'd already tried the apparel business twice and failed both times. He had a comfortable life, a thriving financial consulting fi... more

YouTube

When James Reinhart walked into a Cambridge consignment store with a bag of business school clothes in 2008 – a J.Crew cashmere sweater, a Brooks Brothers coat – and was told they had no resale value, he didn't accept the answer. "I can't believe thi... more

YouTube

Walmart just named Denise Incandela a Sam Walton Entrepreneur of the Year — one of the highest honors inside the company, and one rarely given to merchants. It's a fitting recognition for the EVP of Fashion leading one of the largest fashion transfor... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Neil Saunders
Managing Director and Retail Analyst at GlobalData Retail
GlobalData Retail
Episode: Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026
Joe Kudla
Founder and CEO of Vuori
Vuori
Episode: Vuori Founder Joe Kudla: From Garage Startup to $5Billion+ Activewear Brand
James Reinhart
Co-founder and CEO of Thredup
Thredup
Episode: James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale
Denise Incandela
Executive Vice President of Fashion at Walmart US
Walmart
Episode: Denise Incandela, EVP of Walmart Fashion: How Walmart Became a True Fashion Destination
Tanya Golesic
CEO of Mackage
Mackage
Episode: Tanya Golesic, CEO of Mackage: From Canadian down to a Global Luxury Brand
Pete Nordstrom
Co-CEO of Nordstrom, fourth-generation leader
Nordstrom
Episode: Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum.
Mickey Drexler
Retail icon; former CEO of Gap Inc., Ann Taylor, J.Crew; Chairman of Alex Mill
Alex Mill
Episode: Retail Legend Mickey Drexler: From Building Gap & Old Navy to Running Alex Mill Like a Startup
Nate Checketts
CEO and co-founder of Rhone
Rhone
Episode: Rhone CEO Nate Checketts on Mind & Body Wellness: How Mental Fitness Built a $100M Performance Brand
Simeon Siegel
Senior managing director and award-winning senior analyst specializing in retail and e-commerce, leading consumer equity research at Guggenheim Securities
Guggenheim Securities
Episode: Guggenheim Analyst Simeon Siegel: Why Revenue Matters More Than Hype in Retail + 2026 Stock Picks

Host

Ken Pilot
Host of The Retail Pilot

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 51 ratings
  • Great Interview

    I found the interview to be real, casual, insightful and engaging.

    Ken ever think about getting a TV show?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brownaloni
    United States3 years ago
  • Ken and Sheryl

    It was my pleasure to be a guest on The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and the opportunity to connect with your audience. The growth of your podcast and the positive feedback from the retail community is truly exciting to witness.

    I hope that my insights and experiences added value to your show and that the information we discussed was informative and engaging for your listeners. It's always a fantastic feeling to know that our conversation migh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sheryl@bostonproper
    United States3 years ago
  • Amazing guests and Incredibly insightful

    Ken’s industry knowledge and experience coupled with the outstanding guests make for great content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FishCANYC
    United States3 years ago
  • Great interview style Master of all things retail

    I have enjoyed all of Ken’s interviews on The Retail Pilot both for the interesting retail and career-focused content, personal stories about his guests, and humor and wit throughout the conversations. Each Monday I look forward to the next episode drop.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Perkprincess1
    United States3 years ago
  • Top quality

    What a gem of a podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jbr1111
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows consistently deliver practical, actionable leadership insights.
Guest lineup feels like a who's who of retail legends and rising stars.
Audiences appreciate deep dives into AI and technology's role in retail.
Host balances humor with sharp questions, making complex topics accessible.
Presents strong examples of real-world brand building and transformation.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026
Q: What's your take on AI usage in stores versus online; where is the real value creation happening?
AI adds value in back-of-house optimization, inventory placement, and in-store customer assistants that improve conversion and stock accuracy; the key is integrating AI in a way that genuinely enhances the shopping experience rather than creating gimmicks.
Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026
Q: Where are we seeing the cost increases hit on the P&L, margins or shopper behavior?
Margins are being pressured as retailers balance price increases with demand; many absorb some costs or seek savings while still trying to protect customers, leading to a mixed impact on profitability and traffic.
Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026
Q: From your vantage point, what's changed most in the narrative from retailers and consumers over these past six months?
Uncertainty has been the dominant factor, amplified by geopolitical tensions and tariff shocks, making planning difficult for retailers and confusing for consumers about the trajectory of prices and the economy.
James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale
Q: Why go public, given the scale you had at the time?
Going public was about raising capital and creating liquidity for employees and early investors, leveraging a frothy market to maximize outcomes and discipline the business with strong governance.
James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale
Q: What was your original elevator pitch for Thredup?
The initial concept was framed as the Netflix of shirts, a rough version of the idea, but the pivotal insight was recognizing a significant market problem in valuing secondhand clothing and the opportunity to build a better consumer experience around it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Retail Pilot

What is The Retail Pilot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A steady stream of in-depth conversations with senior retail leaders and brand-building executives, focusing on career journeys, leadership styles, and big industry shifts. Episodes often explore how technology, AI, and omnichannel strategies influence the evolution of department stores, luxury retail, beauty, and DTC brands, with practical lessons on growth, culture, and partnerships. Noteworthy angles include private-company transformations, high-profile leadership lessons, and the strategic use of data and digital tools in shaping customer experiences. The show tends to attract listeners who want actionable insights from seasoned executives, and it often highlights resilient brands navigating market disruption, making it a strong fit for... more

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How many listeners does The Retail Pilot get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Retail Pilot?

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How many subscribers and views does The Retail Pilot have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Retail Pilot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Retail Pilot:

1. The Glossy Podcast
2. Fashion People
3. Social Currency with Sammi Cohen
4. SmartLess
5. How I Built This with Guy Raz

How many episodes of The Retail Pilot are there?

The Retail Pilot launched 3 years ago and published 112 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Retail Pilot?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Retail Pilot?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Retail Pilot from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Retail Pilot?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Retail Pilot. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Retail Pilot?

Recent guests on The Retail Pilot include:

1. Neil Saunders
2. Joe Kudla
3. James Reinhart
4. Denise Incandela
5. Tanya Golesic
6. Pete Nordstrom
7. Mickey Drexler
8. Nate Checketts

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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