PacSun & the Power of Gen Z: Brieane Olson’s Vision for the Future of Youth Retail
The Retail Pilot19 Aug 2025

PacSun & the Power of Gen Z: Brieane Olson’s Vision for the Future of Youth Retail

What does it take to stay relevant in the fast-moving world of Gen Z and Gen Alpha? For Brieane Olson, CEO of PacSun, it’s all about purpose, co-creation, and bold innovation. From signing the Jenner sisters before they became household names to bringing PacSun into Roblox and TikTok Shop, Breanne has made youth culture the company’s North Star.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, co-hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, we dive deep into how PacSun evolved from a legacy mall brand to a billion-dollar leader in digital-first, Gen Z–centric fashion and what other retailers can learn from their fearless approach.

In this conversation, Brieane shares:

  • Her start in retail at age 15 and journey to the CEO seat

  • How co-creation with micro-creators is driving viral sales and brand affinity

  • The power of music, festivals, and physical retail in the digital age

  • How PacSun uses AI across its stores, associate experience, and creative strategy

  • The evolving role of Gen Alpha and why brands must meet them where they are

  • Why social commerce is no longer optional and how to build it authentically

  • Her leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, curiosity, and constant evolution

Whether you're a retail executive, marketer, founder, or just obsessed with youth culture trends, this episode is full of actionable insights on what it takes to lead with relevance, empathy, and a fearless willingness to evolve.

If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to follow and rate the show, and share this episode with someone who’s building the next big thing in retail. Your next favorite strategy might just be one listen away.


Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(113)

Shea Jensen, President of Urban Outfitters North America: Inside the Brand's Comeback

Shea Jensen, President of Urban Outfitters North America: Inside the Brand's Comeback

When Shea Jensen took over as President of Urban Outfitters North America in February 2024, the brand was posting double-digit comp declines. Eighteen months later, it's posting double-digit comp gain...

18 Aug 50min

Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026

Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData: Inside Retail's Winners, Losers & the Back Half of 2026

There's a common assumption in retail right now that the top of the market is the only thing growing. Neil Saunders, Managing Director of GlobalData Retail and one of the industry's most-followed anal...

4 Aug 1h 4min

Vuori Founder Joe Kudla: From Garage Startup to $5Billion+ Activewear Brand

Vuori Founder Joe Kudla: From Garage Startup to $5Billion+ Activewear Brand

When Joe Kudla launched Vuori out of a Southern California garage in 2013, he was betting against his own track record. He'd already tried the apparel business twice and failed both times. He had a co...

21 Juli 58min

James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale

James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO of Thredup: Building the Future of Resale

When James Reinhart walked into a Cambridge consignment store with a bag of business school clothes in 2008 – a J.Crew cashmere sweater, a Brooks Brothers coat – and was told they had no resale value,...

7 Juli 56min

Denise Incandela, EVP of Walmart Fashion: How Walmart Became a True Fashion Destination

Denise Incandela, EVP of Walmart Fashion: How Walmart Became a True Fashion Destination

Walmart just named Denise Incandela a Sam Walton Entrepreneur of the Year — one of the highest honors inside the company, and one rarely given to merchants. It's a fitting recognition for the EVP of F...

23 Juni 46min

Tanya Golesic, CEO of Mackage: From Canadian down to a Global Luxury Brand

Tanya Golesic, CEO of Mackage: From Canadian down to a Global Luxury Brand

When Tanya Golesic took the helm of Mackage in July 2021, she inherited a Canadian brand with extraordinary product and almost no story. "The minute you put the product on, you wouldn't want to take t...

2 Juni 55min

Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum.

Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken sits down with Pete Nordstrom – Co-CEO of the 125-year-old fashion retailer – to unpack the eight-year journey to go private, the strategic partnership with Li...

19 Maj 45min

Retail Legend Mickey Drexler: From Building Gap & Old Navy to Running Alex Mill Like a Startup

Retail Legend Mickey Drexler: From Building Gap & Old Navy to Running Alex Mill Like a Startup

Retail icon Mickey Drexler doesn't do retirement. At 80, the man who built Gap into a $14 billion empire, founded Old Navy, and revitalized J.Crew is running Alex Mill like a scrappy startup, and lovi...

6 Maj 1h 9min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

framgangspodden
rss-jossan-nina
varvet
24fragor
bathina-en-podcast
svd-tech-brief
uppgang-och-fall
rss-borsens-finest
badfluence
avanzapodden
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
tabberaset
borsmorgon
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
kapitalet-en-podd-om-ekonomi
bilar-med-sladd
rss-hos-psykologen
lastbilspodden
rss-dagen-med-di
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet