The continuing goal of "The Innovation Conversation" is to explore some facet of the fast-changing, technology-driven retail landscape and how it affects businesses and consumers. It is, we think, fertile territory ... and one that Tom Furphy - a former Amazon executive who led the team that developed Amazon Fresh, and currently CEO and Managing Director of Consumer Equity Partners (CEP), a venture capital and venture development firm in Seattle, WA, that works with many top retailers and manufacturers - is uniquely positioned to address.
Today, Tom and KC talk about two demographic and geographic changes being affected by the growth of physical retail and the rise of "donut cities" in which the hole is being created by crime, homelessness and a shrinking tax base. These changes in fact are opening up enormous opportunities for retailers willing to embrace and innovate. And, go figure - the donut ends up being a perfect metaphor for what retailers have to do to differentiate themselves.
If you'd like to download and listen to this Conversation as an audio podcast, click below.
