What if your biggest margin problem isn’t pricing, promotions, or markdowns but materials?
In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, the team sits down with Liza Amlani, widely known as “The Chief Merchant,” to unpack why materials should be the starting point of product creation, not an afterthought. They explore how late-stage merchant decisions can quietly trigger cost overruns, delays, and excess inventory, and how a materials-first mindset can unlock speed, margin, and better full-price sell-through. If you’ve ever said “just make the change” without knowing the downstream impact, this episode is for you.
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Marketplaces aren’t the “tail” anymore, they are the business. In this episode, Karima Popatia gives merchants a masterclass in how marketplaces have evolved, how premium brands are entering the space, and why channel strategy is no longer one-size-fits-all. Whether you're a seasoned merchant or early in your career, this episode gives you the playbook for evaluating opportunities, protecting brands, and preparing for an AI-driven marketplace future.
In this special episode, Manyell breaks down a financial tool retailers use: the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Using Saks Global’s $2.2B debt shuffle as the anchor example, she explains how SPVs work, why they matter, and the areas they impact for merchants.
In this episode, we sit down with Max Retail founder Melodie Van Der Baan, whose “friend of retailer, friend of brand, friend of Earth” model is rewriting the rules of aged inventory. From turning stale stock into fresh cash to giving independents the tools big box players take for granted, Melodie breaks down how smart liquidation can be both sustainable and profitable. We also explore why dead stock is quietly killing independent retailers and how a few strategic changes can turn the tide.
What really makes something feel premium? Veteran merchant Paul Sklar joins Manyell, Tom, and Bill for a conversation on turning “premium” from a price point into an experience. From Ralph Lauren to Ashley Retail, Paul shares how craftsmanship, storytelling, and emotion create products that resonate—and keep customers coming back. The team breaks down the art and science of merchandising, the danger of the “lazies,” and how data meets instinct in the modern retail landscape.
If you’ve ever tried to justify a premium price this episode is your blueprint.
Tom Ott sits down with Nancy Mair, longtime off-price merchant and former Burlington and Nordstrom Rack executive, for a candid conversation on what’s driving the category’s strength in 2025. Nancy breaks down why TJX remains the benchmark, how Burlington and Ross are refining their customer focus, and why Rack continues to own the “better off-price” space. They also discuss the growing role of club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club in moving branded goods. A grounded look at value, merchandising discipline, and what’s next for the off-price industry.
Season 3 kicks off with the big question: who do you trust when it comes to retail insight—the pundits or the practitioners? Tom, Manyell, and Bill unpack the difference between commentary from boardroom academics and lived-in experience from the sales floor to the buying desk. From Macy’s rebound to discounters thriving , they break down why context matters more than hot takes. Along the way, they pay tribute to Giorgio Armani, reflect on luxury pricing out its own customers, and remind us why multi-brand retail may be the next comeback story.
In this candid season finale, Mere MERCHANTS hosts Tom Ott, Bill Wynn, and Manyell Akinfe-Reed talk about of a few of the biggest industry shake-ups . From mounting global tariffs and their impact on luxury retail to the shifting tides at Nordstrom and Saks, the trio dives into what’s working, what’s not, and what merchants need to focus on next.
They call out distractions in merchandising, offer solutions for staying ahead of global supply issues, and true to form bring heart, history, and merchanting to the mic.
Mere MERCHANTS will be back after a summer break so for now, grab your rake, and as Tom says: go for the kill shot.
Luxury customer care expert Courtney Poretskin joins Mere MERCHANTS to break down how customer expectations have evolved post-pandemic and what that means for brands, buyers, and aftercare teams. From empathy-driven service to real-time AI support, Courtney explains how today’s brands must show up beyond the sale. Whether you’re in ops, merchandising, or just tired of returns, this episode will shift how you think about service and loyalty in 2025.
This week on Mere MERCHANTS, Alexis Javardian joins Manyell Akinfe-Reed to share her journey from the sales floor to leading global retail operations at Alexander Wang. From early aspirations in buying to finding her stride in retail ops, Alexis unpacks how in-store experience sharpened her instincts, expanded her skill set, and ultimately paved the way for a thriving corporate career.
Luxury designer Nia Thomas joins Mere MERCHANT Manyell for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build a sustainable fashion brand in today’s unpredictable market. From her handcrafted knitwear collections to her firsthand experience navigating wholesale, DTC, and international buyers, Nia gets honest about margins, marketing, and how merchants can show up better for the brands they buy.
🔗 Explore more from Nia: https://www.niathomas.co
In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Tom Ott connects with longtime colleague and friend Dave Canfield, now leading Strategy, Operations, and Sales at the retail tech startup Zellig. Together, they reflect on their time revitalizing the culture and performance at Saks Off 5th and Gilt, where they tackled organizational chaos, sparked innovation, and reenergized the junior merchant team with initiatives like “Saks Off 5th University,” the Culture Club, and digital-first merchandising strategies.
In this insightful episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Chief Merchant Tom Ott sits down with longtime friend and legendary fashion finance expert Mike Stanley, who many consider the godfather of factoring. With decades of experience helping brands navigate the ever-changing retail landscape, Mike shares the behind-the-scenes reality of financing fashion—from managing receivables and mitigating risk to building trust and surviving disruption.
They explore how the role of factoring has evolved, how smart partnerships can make or break a brand, and what emerging merchants should look for in a financial partner. Mike also offers advice for young professionals entering the industry and gives a candid outlook on what’s ahead for retail in 2025 and beyond.
In this special episode of Mere MERCHANTS, Manyell brings together three dynamic fashion entrepreneurs Tiffany Davis (The Humped Zebra), Shawn Pean (June79), and Love Collins (Love Collins, Dope and Bohemian, Community Apparel)—to talk candidly about what it really takes to build a brand in today’s fashion landscape.
From launching grassroots movements to full-scale collections, each guest has taken a different path to bring their vision to life. We dig into the decisions that shaped their journeys, the growing pains, the mindset shifts, and the harsh realities of entrepreneurship—especially as Black designers navigating the industry.
Whether you're building from your basement, sketching your first capsule, or mapping out your runway debut, this episode is full of practical advice, unfiltered truths, and plenty of inspiration for fashion founders at every level.
In this episode of Mere MERCHANTS, we’re joined by Kathleen Ruiz, Founder & CEO of KRW Consulting NYC, a powerhouse lifestyle marketing agency specializing in luxury brand partnerships, experiential marketing, and strategic communications. With over 30 years of experience—including senior roles at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus—Kathleen shares insights on how luxury brands can create meaningful, lasting connections in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing marketplace.
We talk about the role of storytelling, the evolution of experiential retail, and how her team is helping global brands find success in the U.S. through high-impact events and strategic retail introductions
In this special episode of Mere MERCHANTS, we take a break from our usual programming to bring you a must-listen conversation for anyone navigating the job market. Our guest, Cecilia Haynes, recently landed four offers from top remote companies in just 45 days—and she’s here to share exactly how she did it.
From crafting a video resume to hacking LinkedIn’s hiring process, Cecilia walks us through her step-by-step strategy that got her multiple interviews and job offers.
In this special reunion episode of Mere MERCHANTS, host Manyell Akinfe-Reed welcomes two seasoned retail leaders, Shawn Howell and Elizabeth Michel, to dive into the invaluable synergy between buying and planning. With decades of experience across major brands, they share how having expertise in both disciplines has strengthened their careers, sharpened their decision-making, and helped them navigate challenges in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
In this episode of Mere Merchants, we step into the world of footwear with legendary shoe executive Javier Suarez. From his early days in a high-end shoe boutique to leading product direction for global brands like Bally and Ferragamo, Javier takes us on a journey through decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and industry evolution. We discuss the shift from traditional shoemaking to fashion branding, the impact of sneakers on luxury markets, and the challenges facing today’s footwear business.
#MereMerchants #FootwearIndustry #LuxuryShoes #ShoeDesign #RetailTrends #Sneakertrends#FashionBusiness#Bally#Ferragamo#JavierSuarez
In this episode of Mere Merchants, host Manyell Akinfe-Reed takes over while Chief Merchant Tom Ott gets a well-deserved break. She sits down with Kaitlyn Tarpey-Berea, VP of People at ShopMy, for a deep dive into today’s competitive job market. Kaitlyn shares invaluable insights into recruitment trends, how candidates can stand out in a sea of applications, and the realities of hiring in a fast-changing work environment.
In this insightful episode ofMere MERCHANTS, we welcome leadership and HR expertEd Slusser to explore the art of building world-class teams in today’s evolving job market. Drawing from his extensive career in retail, HR, and corporate leadership, Ed shares key strategies for identifying top talent, developing future leaders, and fostering a thriving company culture.