When It All Clicks: Global Retail Innovation with Lego Group's Martin Urrutia

In our final episode recorded live at the World Retail Congress in Barcelona our guest is Martin Urrutia, Global Head Retail Experience & Innovation for the Lego Group. Martin takes us inside the innovation process at one of the world's most beloved brands. He shares how Lego's process has evolved and how they incorporate customer insight, consumer trends, technology disruption and brand vision to bring a steady stream of new concepts to market. We also discuss the important of a 'test and learn' culture and building a portfolio of innovation initiatives along a continuum from refresh to blue sky.

We kick-off the episode with the week in retail news, including our analysis of several pieces of macro-economic data, which present a bit of a mix picture ahead of the US Fed's decision on interest rates. We then shift into earnings from Lululemon (remarkable), Dollar General (surprisingly sluggish), Nordstrom (demonstrably awful), and Macy's (more running to stand still).

Steve's Forbes article: Macy's and Kohl's Keep Running to Stand Still

We will be taking the Remarkable Retail podcast on the road to the Lead Innovation Summit, where BMO Managing Director Simeon Siegel will be joining on stage to discuss what's new and what's next for DTC. If you want to join us, take advantage of our special discount code....RRxTheLeadSummit

About Marin

With a career of 25 years on Retail and Innovation that allowed me to gain global experience due to the different assignments to work with different FMCG to bring their brands alive anchoring actions on consumer, shopper and retail insights. I believe that if its not measured there is no impact, therefore in most of the programs that I have driven I add a strong focus on measuring commercial and marketing impact that creates an ecosystem that constantly strives for innovation, continuous improvement and challenges the status-quo.
I joined The LEGO Group in 2010 as responsible of the Global In-Store Agenda as part of the Global Shopper Marketing team based at the HQ in Denmark, currently with the role as Head of Retail Innovation, and responsible for our internal Global Retail Network.

My vision to offer the best shopping experience at any location and retail channel where our products can be found. This will allow us to bring our brand alive and to inspire shoppers and consumers at the point of sale and point of experience; as retail plays a fundamental role on the path to purchase, therefore my passion to develop retail experiences that are memorable, delightful and available to all consumers and shoppers around the world

About Us

Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.