#RICE23 Chair Announcement: Cathy Hackl Added as Metaverse and Next-Gen Fashion & Retail Chair

“The world’s next Coco Chanel is probably a 10-year-old girl currently designing avatar skins in Roblox.” That, friends, represents the power of the metaverse. And this thought-provoking statement is just a small sampling of the mic-dropping moments Cathy Hackl shared during her keynote at the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo last May. She took the […]
2023 Store Tours: Go Inside Chicago’s Retail Scene with Insider Trends

Manhattan has always been considered the top retail city in the U.S., but we believe that Chicago is an oft-overlooked hotbed for new store concepts and cutting-edge tech implementations. That’s why we’re excited to launch our latest Guided Store Tours for the 2023 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo. And we’re extra excited to share […]
#RICE23 Keynote Reveal: Nikkia Reveillac of Netflix

What is the key to true innovation? A great team, sure. A lot of great ideas, of course. But data is what unlocks these creative teams’ ideas and transforms them into competitive differentiation. Nikkia Reveillac has spent nearly 20 years turning global insights and analytics into transformational ideas. Now, she’s bringing her expertise to the Retail […]
Which Brands are Embracing the Art of Window Storytelling?

They say the eyes are the window to the soul…the same could also be said about, well, windows! Store windows, to be exact. They are one of the first things consumers see as they past by storefronts. They also have the power to tell entertaining, engaging and exciting stories that reflect the brand. During the […]
DTC Brands Take Unique Paths to Growth

We’ve all seen the headlines: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands that were once heralded for their innovation are now struggling to reach true profitability. Increased competition online, rising cost-per-acquisition costs, and volatile marketing and advertising platforms are just three of the many factors impacting DTC growth strategies. While many have taken these challenges and turned them into […]
40 Under 40 Spotlight: Melanie Beatty, Ecommerce Omnichannel Manager, Home Hardware Stores Limited

The retail industry has experienced significant transformation over the last decade, and rapidly advancing technologies, changing employee expectations and informed, increasingly demanding consumers all have contributed to that evolution. While change brings opportunity, it also brings its fair share of challenges. Retailers and brands must adapt to keep up with evolving trends or risk falling behind. […]
Meet the RICE Team: Erica Vallecorsa

We believe great content is the heart of a great event experience. There is no shortage of digital and IRL events out there, so we think investing in timely content with relevant, knowledgeable speakers is key. Luckily we have someone like Erica Vallecorsa helping us bring the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo vision to life! […]
How NOBULL is Taking a Shopper-First Approach to Loyalty

It’s getting harder for retail brands to win, let alone keep, customers’ loyalty. The brands that are winning in this area are using data intelligently and creatively to develop an immersive and relevant experience. NOBULL was recognized for its shopper-first approach to brand experience in this year’s Brand Experience Awards. Initially starting as a “cult favorite” […]
Understanding Gen Z: Getting Inside Their Heads…and Their Wallets

Ah, Gen Z. To some, they’re a complete mystery. To many, they’re the hottest shopper audience and, in turn, crucial to brands’ future growth marketing strategies. It’s pretty clear why: with about $360 billion in disposable income in 2021, this demographic’s spending power is growing…and so is their impact on the world at large. Digitally […]
Footage From the Floor: How CPGs Can Compete and Thrive

CPGs are no longer confined to shelves in a store. Thanks to the power of digital, they have the ability to reach, engage and convert more consumers and expand their whole partnerships in strategic way. But to stand out, CPG brands need to understand what consumers want, and ensure their product and positioning aligns. At […]