Iran War Shockwaves and Target’s Strategy Reset, with Guest Co-Host Kevin Ertell and Our Interview with EY's Malin Andrée & Jon Copestake

In this wide-ranging episode Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc are joined by special guest co-host Kevin Ertell, retail veteran, former Nike executive, and author of The Strategy Trap. The episode blends breaking retail news with a live interview recorded at the NRF Big Show featuring Malin Andrée, Global Retail Sector Leader at EY, and Jon Copestake, Global Lead Retail Analyst at EY Insights.

The episode begins with an analysis of one of the most significant geopolitical developments impacting the global economy: the escalating Iran war and its ripple effects on retail markets. Rising oil prices and potential disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz threaten to increase shipping costs and add new uncertainty to global supply chains. The hosts also dive into the latest retail earnings reports, highlighting challenges and future opportunities under new leadership at Target, mixed performance at Gap and continued momentum from Costco.

They also examine the rapid growth of athletic brand On, whose strong sales growth contrasts with cautious forward guidance, and discuss what it signals about competition with legacy players like Nike with Kevin's expert and experienced analysis.

The episode then shifts to a fascinating interview with Malin Andrée, EY Partner, Global Retail Industry Leader and Jon Copestake Global Lead Retail Analyst, EY Insights, who share insights from EY’s latest consumer research and industry analysis. Their discussion explores the changing dynamics of luxury retail, including growing consumer interest in resale and second-hand luxury markets, which are being driven by affordability concerns, sustainability awareness and improved authentication platforms.

Andrée and Copestake also address the accelerating role of retail AIl, from operational improvements to emerging consumer-facing applications such as AI-driven product discovery and shopping assistance. While AI investment is surging across the industry, they emphasize the importance of balancing technology with human-centered retail experiences, arguing that the human touch will remain a key differentiator even as AI capabilities become table stakes.

The episode concludes with the hosts’ Remarkable Story of the Week and What’s on the Radar segments, including discussions about Simon Property Group’s strategic maneuvering around the Saks Global bankruptcy and Walmart’s rollout of digital shelf labels across its stores.

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.