Reinventing Retail: Exploring the Evolving Retail Landscape​

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The HBS Retail & Luxury Goods Club was honored to host its 19th annual conference on October 20th, 2024.

2024's conference theme was Reinventing Retail: Exploring the Evolving Retail Landscape. Guided by our theme, each panel and keynote event focused on the evolution of the retail industry, exploring innovations in retail tailored for today’s consumers, including digital platforms, resale markets, and influencer-led brands.

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If you are interested in getting involved with our 2025 conference or have any questions, please contact the Conference Co-Chairs:

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• Grace Parker - gparker@mba2025.hbs.edu

• Daphne Chow - dchow@mba2025.hbs.edu

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Conference Highlights

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Keynote: Tricia Smith, Global CEO of Anthropologie

Tricia Smith, Global CEO of Anthropologie, shared her perspective on evolving the customer experience in the modern day and age. Tricia discussed the importance of building physical spaces to foster creativity within teams and reminded us of the power a physical experience has to influence customers -- even in the digital age.

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Retail in the Modern Age

This panel highlighted how powerhouse retailers are adapting to the ever-changing retail environment. We were reminded of the importance of maintaining your core brand identity and selectively choosing which trends to follow, the role of data in driving more efficient customer targeting, and just how valuable a good mentor can be.

• Divya Mathur, Chief Merchandising Officer, Revolve

• Jemma Cassidy, Chief Product Officer, Banana Republic

• Lisa Greenwald, Chief Merchandising Officer, J.Crew

• Nabil Aliffi, Chief Brand Officer, Neiman Marcus

• Moderator: Charisma Glassman, Portfolio Head, Consumer Products, Luxury & Retail, Capgemini

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Beauty Redefined

This panel focused on how to win on both product and brand, especially as a startup. On product: Be good and noticeable. As a challenger brand, you need to make sure you stand out within your category, and ensure your product is at least as good as the leaders in that category. On brand success: Successful branding requires being a media company - you need to understand how a media company works, and work to build a content engine. On startups: Successful startup founders are resilient, comfort with rejection, gentle on with themselves, and collaborative.

• Zanna Roberts Rassi, Co-Founder, Milk Makeup

• Mazdack Rassi, Co-Founder, Milk Makeup

• Kate Foster, Co-Founder, The Outset

• Lach Hall, Founding Partner + Executive Chair Marketing, Vacation Inc

• Moderator: Jenn Sullivan, Co-Founder & Host, Fat Mascara​

 

Investing in the Consumer Landscape

This panel centered on what entrepreneurs can do to build a consumer brand and attract investment. For entrepreneurs: It is easier than ever to build and get into the market - because of this, the market is fragmented making it hard to differentiate. Know if you are building a lifestyle business or a VC business.
As for what investors are looking for: A great founder and team who can raise and found a market. Additionally, founder EQ is critical - you will pivot and face challenges, and need to be resilient and take feedback.

• Dawn Dobras, Co-Founder, Capital F

• Kathryn Cavanaugh, Founder & Managing Partner, Capstar Ventures

• Pano Anthos, Founder & Managing Director, XRC Ventures

• David Paresky, Principal, Advent International

• Moderator: Brendan Hanrahan, Vice President, Bain Capital

Recommerce: Rewriting the Way Consumers Shop

This panel explored the impact of revolutionary new channels and ways of shopping as consumer trends such as up-cycling, thrifting, and peer-to-peer shopping explodes.

• Samantha McCandless, Chief Merchandising Officer, The RealReal

• Julia O'Mara, Founder, Pickle

• Peter Curran, VP Global Operations, StockX

• Alex Kremer, VP Strategy & Ops, Archive

• Moderator: Kate Sanner, Founder, Beni

The Founder Journey

This panel brought together wisdom and expertise from some of the industry's trendiest founders -- covering everything from beverages to tech and makeup to accessories.

• Melissa Mash, Co-Founder & CEO, Dagne Dover

• Sam Abrahart, Founder, The Mayfair Group

• Jen Batchelor, Co-Founder, Kin Euphorics

• Tiffany Lopinksy, Co-Founder & COO, ShopMy

• Charif Debs, Founder, Gemmyo

• Moderator: Estelle Palandjian, Co-Founder, CAKE

Closing Keynote: Patrick Ta, Celebrity Makeup Artist + Founder, Patrick Ta Beauty

Moderator: Faith Xue (Executive Beauty Director, Bustle Digital Group)

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Thank you to our sponsors!

The first 400 guests received a goodie bag worth over $700+ with featured products and discount codes from our sponsors including DL1961, Dagne Dover, Milk Makeup, Daily Drills, Restorsea, Olivia Rose Pilates, Thrive Market & more!