OFFBounds Retail

Paula Macaggi sits down with Carl Boutet in Montreal to unpack his new book, The Flip. What starts as a conversation about AI quickly turns into something deeper. A discussion about how value is shifting across retail and business, and why it’s becoming harder to define where that value is actually created. From automation and optimization to contextualization and immersion, Carl breaks down the four forces reshaping commerce and what they mean for leaders trying to navigate this moment of uncertainty.
But this episode isn’t about having the answers. It’s about asking better questions. They explore the idea of “executive cognitive drift,” the risks of over-relying on algorithms, and why “artificially perfect” experiences are starting to feel less human. As AI becomes more embedded in how we work, create, and decide, the real opportunity may lie in knowing when to lean in and when to step back. A thoughtful conversation for anyone trying to make sense of where retail, technology, and human connection are heading next.

Rohlik Group delivers 70,000 grocery orders a day across five European markets in as little as 60 minutes, profitably. And most people outside Europe have never heard of them. In this episode, I sit down with Petr Lizner, Head of Strategy at Rohlik Group, to break down how they built one of Europe's most impressive online grocery operations. From baking bread to order and sourcing from the best local butchers, to building their entire tech stack in-house over 11 years, Petr shares how Rohlik turned a Czech startup into a pan-European grocery powerhouse.
We dig into the Brinkmeister acquisition in Germany, where they nearly doubled a stagnant business in one year. We talk about why automation isn't always the answer, how they price-match offline competitors while delivering in 60 minutes, and what's next as they license their technology to traditional retailers through Veloq. If you care about the future of grocery, this one is packed.

Everyone has a loyalty program, but very few brands actually create loyalty. In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Noah Goldberg from Loblaw Companies Limited to unpack what it really takes to build one of the most widely used programs in the world. As the leader behind PC Optimum, with nearly 16 million members, Noah shares how loyalty operates at scale and why it goes far beyond points and discounts.
The conversation explores the shift from rewarding transactions to rewarding engagement, and how digital behavior has become the foundation of modern loyalty programs. It also dives into the complexity behind creating a simple customer experience, the role of first-party data and retail media, and how AI will change the way customers interact with loyalty in the future.

Most retailers don’t have a technology problem, they have a process problem. In this episode, Paula sits down with Liza Amlani to unpack how the disconnect between corporate strategy and store execution actually shows up on the shop floor. From products stuck in stockrooms to stockouts on core items, they explore why so many retail issues are not caused by a lack of tools, but by the way teams operate in silos across merchandising, design, sourcing, and stores.
The conversation goes deeper into what needs to change. Liza shares why process innovation, especially in the concept to market journey, is far more critical than adding new technology. They discuss how leading brands are rethinking collaboration, shortening time to market, and getting closer to the customer. If you care about improving execution, reducing inefficiencies, and building a retail organization that actually delivers on its strategy, this episode is for you.
Click here for Liza's Book: Material Life

UNTUCKit built its brand around a simple idea: shirts designed to be worn untucked. But behind that simple product is a complex technology operation supporting 80+ stores, multiple e-commerce sites, and a growing global business. In this conversation, Paula Macaggi sits down with Jason Lerman, VP of IT & Systems at UNTUCKit, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of retail technology. They discuss the evolution from “best-in-breed” platforms to what many retailers now recognize as a “Frankenstein tech stack,” the hidden complexity of system integrations, and why the best technology in retail is often the kind customers never notice.
Jason also shares his perspective on vendor relationships, implementation mistakes, legacy technology debt, and how retail leaders should think about building a modern tech stack today. The conversation explores the role of centralized data, the challenges of managing dozens of technology partners, and how emerging technologies like AI and agentic systems could reshape the future of retail operations.
Learn more about UNTUCKit: https://www.untuckit.com
Follow Jason Lerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lerman/