In this episode, *Dr. Rebecca Homkes,* London Business School lecturer, Duke faculty member, and author of *Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times,* breaks down the economic outlook in 2026, the realities behind sticky inflation, tariffs, consumer sentiment, and how retailers can build a retail growth strategy that actually works in volatile conditions.
Rebecca explains why uncertainty is the best time to grow, how her *Survive, Reset, Thrive (SRT) loop* framework helps leaders stabilize and reset, and why the K‑shaped economy is reshaping retail. If you’re building a retail growth strategy for the year ahead, this conversation gives you the tools to thrive.
*What You’ll Learn*
- The truth behind the economic outlook in 2026
- Why GDP strength doesn’t match consumer reality
- How to apply the Survive, Reset, Thrive framework
- Why value doesn’t mean lower prices
- How to navigate the K‑shaped consumer economy
- Where AI actually drives results in a retail growth strategy
- The must‑win battles for retailers in 2026
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*Retail Razor Show S6:E2*
*Released on February 24, 2026*
*Guest info*
*Dr. Rebecca Homkes https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-homkes/
https://www.rebeccahomkes.com
*Author,* *Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times*
https://a.co/d/0aXECIB2
*Rebecca Homkes* is a high-growth strategy specialist, CEO and executive advisor. After more than a decade of advising her clients on developing, executing and innovating on strategy, Rebecca is sharing her proven and practical playbook in *Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times.* She is a Lecturer at the *London Business School,* Faculty at *Duke Corporate Executive Education,* Advisor and Faculty at the *Boston Consulting Group* focused on AI and Climate and Sustainability, and a former fellow at the *London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance.* A global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the *Active Learning Program* with the *Young Presidents Organization* (YPO), leads several fintech accelerators, and serves on the boards of many high-growth companies. She earned her doctorate at the *London School of Economics* as a *Marshall Scholar* and is now based in Miami, San Francisco, and London.
*Chapters*
00:00 Teaser
01:10 Show Intro
04:40 Welcome Dr Rebecca Homkes
05:46 The Survive Reset Thrive Framework
08:04 Real World SRT Success Stories
12:55 Macro Economic Outlook for 2026
17:38 Understanding the K Shaped Economy
19:39 Value vs Price Strategy
24:06 Differentiation and Competitive Advantage
26:41 Store Strategy and Expansion
30:37 Consumer Experience and AI
32:34 B2B Software Experience Gap
34:04 Financing and Inventory Strategy
36:28 Supply Chain Robustness
38:10 No Regret Moves
40:40 Defining Right to Win
43:45 Hard Reset Strategy
45:51 Strategic Center of Gravity
48:24 Must Win Battles
49:34 Closing and Contact Info
51:36 Show Close
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