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Scott's Thoughts

Hosted by retail thought leader Scott Benedict, Scott’s Thoughts delivers weekly perspectives on leadership, innovation, and the forces shaping global retail. Each article and episode explores topics such as AI ethics, workplace culture, sustainability, and economic change. Discover practical insights that help professionals understand the trends driving transformation across the retail landscape.

When AI Stops Asking Permission

When AI Stops Asking Permission

Agentic commerce is shifting retail from AI recommendations to autonomous buying. Learn how leaders must prepare with machine ready product data, accurate pricing and inventory, clear governance, and APIs that keep trust, accountability, and margins intact as AI agents make decisions.

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Preparing Retail For AI Shopping Agents

Preparing Retail For AI Shopping Agents

AI agents are becoming the new shoppers. Learn how to prepare your ecommerce brand with machine readable product data, clean metadata, trusted pricing and promos, inventory and delivery accuracy, and better analytics so AI can confidently recommend your products.

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When AI Becomes the Shopper

When AI Becomes the Shopper

AI agents are becoming the shoppers. This episode explains how agentic commerce changes ecommerce priorities, why structured product data and real time inventory matter most, and how brands can win when machines choose what gets recommended.

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Retail’s Secret Weapon: Accelerators

Retail’s Secret Weapon: Accelerators

Why retail accelerators are reshaping how brands scale. Learn how execution, compliance, logistics, and digital merchandising now matter more than invention, and why retailers use accelerators to build reliable partners and spot trends early.

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Stores Aren’t Dead. They’re Evolving

Stores Aren’t Dead. They’re Evolving

Digital shapes the shopping journey but stores still win the moment of purchase. This episode uses fresh data to explain why blended retail works, from social discovery and mobile research to BOPIS, curbside, and in store experiences that drive trust and conversion.

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The End of Easy Amazon Money

The End of Easy Amazon Money

Amazon is rewarding systems over stunts. This episode breaks down Marketplace Pulse data showing rising GMV, fewer sellers, and more million dollar brands. Learn why disciplined operations, analytics, and patience now define success on Amazon.

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AI + People = Retail’s Real Future

AI + People = Retail’s Real Future

Retail success depends on people as much as technology. Scott Benedict explains how AI and supply chains deliver results only when leaders invest in talent. Learn how NRF Foundation programs turn students into retail professionals ready to lead.

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Bundle the Feast, Own the Shopper

Bundle the Feast, Own the Shopper

Holiday meal bundles are reshaping retail by turning planning into a simple choice. Learn how value focused feasts boost convenience basket size and loyalty through smart assortment omnichannel execution and margin minded strategy.

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Store-First Thinking Is Holding Retail Back

Store-First Thinking Is Holding Retail Back

Retail wins when digital and store teams act as one. Learn why shopper behavior demands unified planning data and goals plus how a digital infused model unlocks real growth by removing silos and serving customers with speed clarity and consistency.

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Retail’s Next Operating System

Retail’s Next Operating System

A clear retail model is emerging for 2026. Unified commerce, retail media profit, automation, AI forecasting, and membership strength are reshaping how top retailers grow. Discover the framework guiding the next decade of resilient retail.

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How AI Agents Rewire Retail and CPG

How AI Agents Rewire Retail and CPG

AI agents are transforming retail and CPG by turning data into real-time action. Learn how agentic AI streamlines operations, predicts issues, and enhances decisions across marketing, supply chain, and merchandising to drive precision, speed, and profit.

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Inside the Digital Shift of Wholesale Clubs

Inside the Digital Shift of Wholesale Clubs

Warehouse clubs are evolving from bulk buying to digital value hubs. Discover how Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s blend convenience, trust, and tech through scan and go, curbside, and retail media that redefine membership for the modern shopper.

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