A-AMA w/Carl Boutet

Hosted by Arta Baca and Carl Boutet

Business

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Latest episode

Feb 2024

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Arta Asks Me Anything with retail expert Carl Boutet and his co-host Arta. This weekly series dives into hot topics in retail, such as Apple's latest innovations, subscription models, differences in global consumers and much more - combining Arta's curious but new interest in the retail space with Carl's 25 years of experience. Together we hope to bring an interesting insight and learn from Carl's expertise and Arta's Gen Z perspective where the future of retail lies. Subscribe and leave a review!

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20 recent

February 15, 2024Episode 1523 min

A-AMA Ep 19: FinTech and Its Implications for Retail

Welcome back everyone! We are back with a new episode discussing FinTech - what it means, the implications around data, technology and of course regulation because where you have technology, you will find regulation follows. Carl tells us about the futures of FinTech in the retail space and we discuss network effects, benefits FinTech brings to consumers and to retailers, such as cross border transactions so tune into this podcast and follow us on Linkedin to stay up to date! https://linktr.ee/aamapodcast

November 30, 2023Episode 1815 min

A-AMA Ep 18: Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023

This week, Carl and Arta recap the 2023 Black Friday and Cyber Monday reports! With the season of door-crashing and sale frenzies being something of the past, the future of retail sale periods involves a much higher focus on online deals. Tune in to here some of the figures and some of our perspectives on what level of sale would be enough to gain our attention and whether consumers will need to be weaned off these dramatic sale discounts in future when retailers struggle to sustain them. If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave a review! Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

November 22, 2023Episode 1712 min

A-AMA Ep 17 - OpenAI News and the Role of Governance in AI

What a whirlwind of a weekend it was in the world of AI with the firing of OpenAI co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman. Days later, he is back but the impacts of this will continue to be felt - what does it mean for the role of governance in AI? This episode, Carl and Arta discuss OpenAI, Microsofts moves, seeing a Facebook like coup happening in 2023, and a lot more. If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave us a review! The support means a lot. You can follow us ⁠here⁠ and ⁠here⁠! And of course, wherever you get your podcasts. Join the discussion on LinkedIn and give your thoughts on this news! https://linktr.ee/aamapodcast

October 23, 2023Episode 169 min

A-AMA Ep 16 - Netflix Opening Retail Stores - WHY?

This week, the news that Netflix is "adding retail to its roster" is on our minds and Arta asks a big, fat, WHY. Why would this be the move for Netflix and what are they hoping to gain? Tune in to hear Carl's insight - Netflix may hope to connect their digital consumers to physical consumers and use these stores to better understand what consumers want and in this experiential economy, where Taylor Swift has the power to raise the US GDP, Netflix may be in for a ride! If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave a review! Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

October 9, 2023Episode 1510 min

A-AMA Ep 15 - Automation & Operations in the Quick Service Food and Beverage Industry

This week, Arta and Carl get technical and discuss automation and operations in the quick service/fast casual food and beverage industry - think Starbucks, Sweetgreen and Blank Street Coffee. We dive into the effects on employees and Carl raises the point of how saving consumers time is highly desireable and it's not a one size fits all in how consumers act. Tune in to hear more about this topic! If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave a review! Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

September 28, 2023Episode 95 min

A-AMA Ep 9 - Arta's Recap from The Lead Summit

This week Carl asks Arta about how her first retail industry conference (The Lead Summit in NYC) went! We discuss her key takeaways - how the circular economy, creating community, and innovative brand engagement were all top of mind. (This episode was recorded in July - but there was a posting error so posting again now) If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave a review! Follow Carl - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

September 28, 2023Episode 95 min

A-AMA Ep 14 - The FTC's Suit Against Amazon | Has Amazon gotten too big?

This week, we're discussing the breaking news that the Federal Trade Commission has filed a long-time coming lawsuit against Amazon and Carl tells us how this might play out. The FTC's chair Lina Khan wrote about the Amazon Anti-Trust Paradox and it seems there may be an impending shift in whether companies like Amazon can continue to do everything in service of the customer as this idea perhaps is challenged by a view of now acting in service of society more collectively. Tune into this quick episode to get the rundown! If you enjoyed: Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠ And please leave a review!

September 18, 2023Episode 126 min

A-AMA Ep 13 - What is the job of a Retail Strategist?

This week, we're asking Carl to tell us about his job as a retail strategist / prescriptor / consultant and what these mean in practice. Who seeks out a retail strategist? And how long can they help a retailer or brand? Carl tells us about how his experience as a small business founder operating within Costco armed him with the empathy to understand both sides of the coin and this helps him identify solutions in the retail space. Tune in to hear a key question: what skill should an emerging retail leader, like Arta, be looking to develop for success in the future of retail? If you enjoyed this episode, follow and leave a review! Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

September 8, 2023Episode 1110 min

A-AMA Ep 12 - The Circular Economy and Sustainability in Retail

It was about time we spoke about the circular economy and sustainability in retail! As sustainability has become more top of mind in the past decade, retail businesses are thinking of how they can implement the 5 Rs - recycle, refurb, reuse, repair and reduce and we can't deny there is a huge consumer led demand for companies to do better. Particularly in fashion, there is a huge growth in second hand, resale, and even renting businesses and in this episode we discuss whether consumers are really ready for sustainability or whether they might still hold back. Let us know your thoughts on this episode and leave a review. Follow us on LinkedIn and stay connected ⭐🌍 Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠

August 28, 2023Episode 108 min

A-AMA Ep 11 - Retail headwinds and what happens when big retailers go bust?

This week Arta and Carl take a look at Wilko, a UK mixed-goods retailer, which is shutting down after almost a century in the business. Unfortunately high street staples have been dropping off and this episode explores the likely causes - supply chain issues, a business model that no longer works or just the latest evolution in the world of retail that demands more of our retailers - as well as what happens next.. Join us this episode and if you enjoyed, make sure to follow and leave a review! Follow Carl Boutet - ⁠here⁠ And Arta - ⁠here⁠