Hello ladies!

I’m coming to you this week from sunny Las Vegas, where I’m attending Shoptalk. This is my first time at the event, and I’m impressed: great networking opportunities, educational speakers, and a general good vibe. It makes me proud and excited to be working in such a forward-thinking industry. I thought I would use the space here to present to you some nuggets of wisdom that were shared by many of the great women in retail who spoke at Shoptalk.

It’s All About Customer Love
Stephenie Landry, vice president of Amazon Prime Now, the online retailer’s service that offers household items and essentials consumers need with free two-hour delivery, discussed how fast shipping — and particularly ultra-fast shipping — isn’t easy or cheap to do. And while concerns over cost and process do weigh on Landry’s mind, they’re not what motivate her.

“Customer expectations around speed is driving this,” Landry said. “We launched the service and saw the demand, which made it more worthwhile. Cost is one thing I think about, but customer love is what I really spend the most time on.” Landry added, “I would love to serve every corner of the earth with Prime Now.”

Everyone is Your Competitor Today
In her keynote address, Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSNi, discussed how retailers have to understand that the days of just competing with other retailers are over. “You’re competing with the last great experience that someone had,” said Grossman. “It could be Uber, it could be Airbnb; it’s not just another retailer.”

Millennials Are Entitled … But That’s OK
During a panel discussion focused on selling to millennials, Rachel Blumenthal, founder and CEO of Rockets of Awesome, said that most millennials are very entitled, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“What we’re seeing is that we’re building all these innovative and interesting businesses that tailor to millennials, who are very demanding consumers, and we’re learning from them and listening and creating really dynamic retail experiences that really respond to them.”

This week’s issue of Inner Circle is full of great content. Notably, please check out the Member Spotlight Q&A with Christine Buscarino, senior vice president of e-commerce and marketing at women’s apparel brand Adrianna Papell. Christine is not only a member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, but she will also be moderating a “Success Circle” at the Women in Retail Leadership Summit, taking place in Miami next month.

Enjoy!
Melissa Campanelli
Co-Founder
Women in Retail Leadership Circle