In a time when retail evolves faster than any one team can keep up, industry leaders are turning to expert communities to drive clarity, confidence, and collaboration.
One of the most powerful examples of this shift is Rethink Retail, a global network that blends media, consulting, and curated expertise to help retailers navigate complexity with agility.
Retail’s New Edge: Community-Led Intelligence
Gone are the days when retail expertise was confined to boardrooms or paywalled analyst reports.
Today, success hinges on the ability to quickly access real-world insight from people who’ve been there—whether you're replatforming tech, scaling globally, or launching a new private label brand.
Rethink Retail’s model, built on a vetted group of 500+ global experts, offers a new kind of advisory network—fast, flexible, and built for modern commerce.
This network isn’t about titles. It’s about trusted operators solving real problems: from AI-driven supply chain design to the nuances of shopper behavior in emerging markets. Through monthly mixers, Chatham House rule discussions, and project-based matchmaking, Rethink helps brands move from confusion to clarity.
Introducing Rethink Advisory: A Flexible Consulting Alternative
Recognizing that retailers often need fast input—not full-time hires—Rethink launched a new advisory offering that matches companies with fractional leaders, interim talent, or small expert panels. The model is modular and agile, designed to reflect the evolving nature of modern work.
Need an e-commerce leader for a product launch? A global trade expert to vet market-entry strategy? Rethink can mobilize seasoned talent in days, not months. It’s a shift from legacy consulting’s bloated decks to actionable, tailored insight.
Cross-Functional Expertise Breaks Down Retail Silos
Today’s toughest challenges—AI adoption, ESG compliance, omnichannel logistics—cut across departments.
Rethink’s value lies in how it connects specialists across domains, offering clients nuanced perspectives that reveal blind spots and uncover unseen risks. It’s not just IT or marketing—it’s both, plus HR, legal, and operations, working in concert.
Building a Global, Inclusive Talent Pool
Through programs like the Top Retail Experts list, Rethink celebrates and connects the brightest minds in retail across geographies, functions, and sectors.
The selection isn’t about popularity—it’s about proven thought leadership, practical experience, and peer validation. For rising executives and seasoned veterans alike, it’s a platform to contribute meaningfully and shape the industry’s future.
What’s Ahead for Retail Collaboration
With momentum growing, Rethink is scaling its impact through:
- Expanded local meetups and global events
- Partnerships with trade associations and technology providers
- New tools for faster expert-to-brand matchmaking
- Deeper investment in regional and cross-cultural retail insights
The message is clear: in a world of accelerated change, no one wins alone. Retailers need smarter networks, and Rethink Retail is building the connective tissue that empowers the industry’s best minds to move faster—together.
