"The Analysts" Part 2: The Future of Department Stores and Agentic AI with Sucharita Kodali, Neil Saunders & Simeon Siegel

This dynamic episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast showcases Part Two of “The Analysts” — a powerhouse retail roundtable featuring Sucharita Kodali (Forrester), Neil Saunders (GlobalData), and Simeon Siegel (BMO). From the future of Agentic AI to the fate of department stores and what remarkable brands are emerging, the panel brings sharp insights, humor, and candor. Plus, Michael and Steve unpack the latest economic and political volatility affecting retail, including tariffs, labour challenges, inflation, and cyber threats.

Om Podcasten

If we had to pick a couple of words to describe the last few years, "volatile" and "uncertain" are very likely to be at the top of anyone's list. What words and themes will define this next year? Chaos? Clarity? Prosperity? Purpose? Will struggling retailers at long last make the bold leaps they must, or edge ever closer to the precipice? Can the promises of innovation be met, taking consumer experiences to new heights?/ 2025 looks to be a year where agility and resilience reign supreme as retailers must navigate a world of accelerating technological change, constrained consumer spending, new political realities, and greater power concentrated among only a handful of large retailers. When more and more change is certain, but the way forward is often less than clear, you need a compass, a map, keen insight and no-nonsense advice. This is Steve Dennis, strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. I invite you to join me and fellow retail insider Michael LeBlanc each week as we make sense of an increasingly volatile and uncertain retail world. The Remarkable Retail podcast is the only podcast hosted by two of the NRF's 2025 Top Retail Voices. In this, our tenth season, we'll continue our award-winning formula by giving our hot takes on the week's most important retail news and by featuring guests who are on the leading edge of what's new and next in commerce today. So be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts so you won't miss an episode. Get ready for a steady stream of lively conversations, inspiring leadership stories, and no BS perspectives. Our tenth season of the Remarkable Retail podcast debuts on Tuesday, January 14th. If you want to surf the waves of change and thrive in 2025, we hope you'll join us. © 2020-2025 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.