OFFBounds Retail

Retail leaders have access to more information than ever, but knowing what actually matters is a different challenge. In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with David Katz, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer of Randa Apparel & Accessories, to explore how leaders can separate signal from noise and identify the shifts that could fundamentally change their businesses. Drawing from Randa’s unique position across manufacturing, wholesale, brands and retail, David looks beyond the obvious implications of major forces shaping the market today.
From GLP-1 adoption and America’s aging population to climate change, geopolitical instability and evolving consumer behavior, David reveals the secondary effects that businesses may be overlooking. He also shares how Randa uses scenario planning, behavioral economics and early indicators to challenge assumptions and prepare for changes before they fully appear in the data. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful idea: we don’t have a shortage of information, we have a shortage of interpretation.

This episode was brought to you by Rayon. As retail brands open stores across new markets, from New York to Paris, keeping design consistent while moving fast gets harder. Rayon is a collaborative, browser-based platform built for people who design spaces, helping retail teams create layouts, documentation, and standards in one place, so every new location stays on-brand without slowing the rollout. Visit rayon.design and sign up for free today.

----
Veronica Beard has become one of fashion's most admired brands by taking a very different path to growth. In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with CEO Stephanie Unwin to explore how the company built a loyal community before opening stores, expanded thoughtfully from New York to London and Paris, and created a brand that women genuinely connect with. From retail strategy to international expansion, Stephanie shares the decisions that shaped Veronica Beard's remarkable journey.
The conversation also dives into leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of retail. Stephanie explains why profitable, long-term growth beats chasing rapid scale, how AI should enhance—not replace—human connection, and why understanding your customer remains the foundation of every successful brand. This episode offers timeless lessons on building a brand that lasts.

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with retail leader, five-time Top Retail Expert, NRF Top Voice, and Retail Women in Tech founder Shannon Flanagan to discuss the launch of her new book, Choose, Don't Chase Your Career. After being laid off four times between 2016 and 2024, Shannon shares how those experiences forced her to rethink success, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about work. Together, they explore why career transitions are about far more than finding the next job—they're opportunities to redefine who we are and what truly matters.
The conversation dives into fear, comparison, burnout, financial insecurity, and the courage to pause instead of rushing into the next opportunity. Shannon explains why the traditional definition of success is no longer enough, how to recognize the "scripts" that shape our decisions, and why choosing purpose over chasing titles can lead to a more meaningful career and life. Whether you're navigating a layoff, considering a career change, or simply questioning what success looks like, this episode offers practical wisdom and an honest reminder that sometimes the greatest transformation happens in the space between chapters.
You can buy Shannon's book here!

Artificial intelligence is transforming retail, but Jamie Lim believes most companies are starting in the wrong place. As the second-generation CEO of Scanteak, a retail group with more than 10 brands and over 200 stores across Singapore and Taiwan, Jamie has spent two decades embracing technology not because it's new, but because it solves real business problems. From automating delivery scheduling to experimenting with AI-powered demand forecasting, she shares candid lessons on what worked, what didn't, and why failure is often the price of meaningful innovation.
In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi and Jamie explore how retailers should evaluate emerging technologies, why AI should remain an enabler rather than the end goal, and why authentic human connections will become even more valuable in an increasingly artificial world. They also discuss leading through uncertainty, building a culture that embraces experimentation, and why the best innovation strategy is surprisingly simple: don't shop for technology—shop for problems worth solving.

Convenience retail is evolving beyond speed and accessibility. In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Anushree Khosla, Managing Director of 7-Eleven Singapore, to explore how one of the world's most recognizable retail brands is transforming its stores into destinations for discovery. Inspired by the success of convenience retail in markets like Japan, 7-Eleven Singapore is rethinking everything from store design and food innovation to viral products, collectibles, and customer experience to give consumers a reason to come back again and again.

Anushree also shares lessons from her career across India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, explaining why understanding consumer behavior is more important than ever and how leaders can build organizations that continuously adapt to changing customer expectations. The conversation offers valuable insights into retail transformation, merchandising strategy, convenience retail, and what it takes to stay relevant in one of the world's fastest-moving industries.