Sorry, It's Discontinued: Celebrating Retail Associates, Retail History, and Community

Episódios

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  Bloomingdale’s: The Big Brown Bag, Splash & the Magic of Retail 20.08.2026 32min

  What made Bloomingdale’s one of New York City’s most iconic department stores? In this nostalgic episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary looks back at the history of Bloomingdale’s—from its beginnings in 1872 and the legendary 59th Street flagship to the Big Brown Bag, beauty counters, fashion, movies and pop culture. Plus, a trip back to the 1980s and Splash, when watching Daryl Hannah as Madison walk through Bloomingdale’s sparked a lifelong love of NYC, department stores and retail nos...
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  American Girl and How Retail Becomes Part of Our Family Story 13.08.2026 27min

  What happened to American Girl since the days of those magical catalogs? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary looks back at the history of American Girl—from Pleasant Company and the original historical dolls to Mattel, the evolution of the stores, and what it’s like to work for American Girl today. She also shares a personal memory of taking her daughters to the American Girl store with her mom and how a simple retail experience became part of her family story. Because sometim...
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  Can Record Stores Help Save Retail? The Record Store Comeback: Why We Still Want to Shop for Music 06.08.2026 22min

  Episode DescriptionRemember when buying music meant spending an hour inside a record store, flipping through CDs, vinyl and cassettes, talking to employees and discovering your next favorite artist? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the rise and fall—and surprising comeback—of record stores and physical music. From Sam Goody, Tower Records and the CD era to Napster, Spotify and streaming, we look at how the way we buy and discover music completely changed. We’ll als...
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  The Mall and Store Escalator: Retail’s Most Dramatic Coworker 30.07.2026 22min

  Retail workers have a love-hate relationship with mall escalators. When they’re working, they bring shoppers directly to our departments. When they stop, every associate is suddenly expected to become an escalator engineer. And when children, strollers, loose shoelaces and long dresses get too close, working nearby can become surprisingly stressful. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the history of the escalator, the humorous reality of working beside one and the fri...
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  The Teenagers Keeping Retail Alive| Why Retail Associates Need to Look at the Teenage Shopper Differently 23.07.2026 18min

  In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued, Hilary explores a growing trend that many retail associates are noticing: teenagers are becoming some of today's most passionate and knowledgeable fragrance shoppers. From fragrance enthusiasts armed with TikTok recommendations and YouTube reviews to young customers saving their birthday money for their next fragrance purchase, Generation Z is changing the way we think about retail. But are we giving these future customers the chance they deserve? ...
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  Work-Life Balance for the Retail Associate: Does It Even Exist? Retail Schedule Struggles 16.07.2026 21min

  For many retail associates, the schedule can feel like it controls your entire life. Will your vacation be approved? Can you make that doctor's appointment? Did your shift change again? Can you attend that birthday party, family event, or concert you've been looking forward to for months? In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued, Hilary explores the reality of retail scheduling, work-life balance, burnout, and why so many retail associates feel like they have little control over their own ...
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  The History of Le Bon Marché: Retail Workers, Benefits & the Birth of Modern Retail 09.07.2026 26min

  What was it really like to work at one of the world's first modern department stores? In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued, Hilary explores the fascinating history of Le Bon Marché in Paris and how this legendary French department store helped revolutionize not only the way people shopped, but the way people worked. Under Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut, Le Bon Marché became a pioneer of modern retail while offering employee benefits that were remarkable for the nineteenth century, i...
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  Celebrating One Year of this Podcast | Thank You 02.07.2026 12min

  Over a year ago, on June 5th, 2025, I hit publish on the very first episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued. At the time, I had no idea where this journey would lead. I wasn't sure if anyone would listen, but I knew there were stories that deserved to be told—the stories of the people behind the counter, the communities built inside stores, and the lessons we carry with us long after we leave retail. In this special anniversary episode, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the past year, express my ...
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  First Retail Job, Lifelong Lessons | Behind the Counter with Yani Nufio 25.06.2026 42min

  What starts as a first retail job can lead to a career you never expected—and friendships you'll cherish forever. In this episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued, Hilary sits down with longtime friend Yani Nufio to talk about her journey from a teenager who fell in love with makeup to building a successful career in retail, finance, and mortgage lending. Yani shares how watching her mom put on makeup sparked her passion for beauty, why her first job at Victoria's Secret changed her life, and how ...
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  What If the Gossip Is Wrong? 18.06.2026 30min

  We spend more time with our coworkers than almost anyone else in our lives—so why is it often easier to talk about people than talk to them? This week, Hilary explores workplace drama, gossip, assumptions, and the stories we create about one another. Through honest reflection, she shares why curiosity may be the most powerful tool we have for improving communication and creating healthier workplaces. Because sometimes the story we're telling ourselves isn't the truth at all. 🎙️ New episodes e...
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  Onward and Upward | Behind the Counter with KingMega Fitness 11.06.2026 40min

  This week, I'm joined by Mega of KingMega Fitness. We met by chance at Macy's while talking about our shared experiences in retail, and I quickly realized he had a story worth sharing. Growing up in a military family, Mega learned the value of hard work early. From working retail while attending Southern University in Baton Rouge to serving seven years in the Army, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees, and building his own fitness business, his journey is one of growth, discipline, an...
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  Beauty, Faith & Real Estate | Behind the Counter with Alaysha Durall 04.06.2026 1h 1min

  This week, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with my friend, Alaysha Durall, about beauty, faith, family, and following your dreams. Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Alaysha fell in love with beauty while watching her mother apply Fashion Fair makeup and wear her favorite fragrance. That passion eventually led her to Houston, where she built a successful career behind some of the city's most iconic beauty counters, including Lancôme and Chanel. But Alaysha's story is about more tha...
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  Retail and the Beauty of Reinventing Yourself | Behind the Counter with Savannah Mayfield 28.05.2026 51min

  In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Savannah Mayfield to talk about her journey from growing up in Abilene, Texas to working in luxury beauty at Saks Fifth Avenue Houston during the launch of the Tom Ford fragrances counter. Savannah shares how her love for beauty started at a young age, inspired by her mother and grandmother, and how that passion eventually led her into luxury retail, makeup artistry, entrepreneurship, and motherhood. The two also discuss the r...
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  Standing Room Only: Retail Life 21.05.2026 28min

  In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the physical and emotional reality of standing all day in retail and service industry jobs. From sore feet, back pain, and retail exhaustion to the strange “retail sway” workers develop during long shifts, this episode dives into how years on the sales floor change your body, mindset, patience, and identity. Hilary shares personal stories from over 26 years behind the counter in luxury retail, including the pressure to always look p...
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  Luxury Retail, Metrics & Emotional Burnout 14.05.2026 27min

  In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the hidden pressure behind modern luxury retail and what customers may not always see behind the counter. From sales goals, loyalty metrics, staffing shortages, and emotional burnout to the changing reality of online shopping and performance-driven retail culture, this episode takes an honest look at how dramatically the industry has changed for today’s retail workers. Hilary also reflects on the history of relationship-based luxury...
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  From Retail to The Beauty Way | Behind the Counter with Jyoti Lohman 07.05.2026 46min

  This week on Sorry, It’s Discontinued, I recently sat down with Jyoti Lohman, founder of The Beauty Way — a luxury body care brand rooted in intention, self-care, mindfulness, and reconnecting with yourself. From her early inspiration growing up with a mother who taught her the importance of nurturing yourself, to studying at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco and later in Paris, Jyoti shares the journey that led her from a successful career in luxury fashion...
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  The Gift That Changed Retail 30.04.2026 29min

  What started as a simple thank-you became one of the most powerful sales strategies in beauty. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the history of the Gift-With-Purchase—popularized by Estée Lauder—and how it evolved from a relationship-driven experience into a value-driven transaction. From threshold shopping and constant promotions to competing with online deals, Hilary shares what this shift looks like behind the counter for today’s retail warriors. 👉 Are we shoppin...
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  Is the Beauty Industry Different Now? Mergers, Acquisitions & Change 23.04.2026 30min

  Beauty is evolving—and mergers and acquisitions are a big part of why. In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of what really happens when brands are bought, merged, or absorbed into larger portfolios. From growth and global expansion to formula changes, disappearing products, and shifting priorities, we’re talking about how these decisions affect the brands you love—and the people who bring them to life every day. 💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hila...
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  Retail Uniforms: From Control to Comfort? 16.04.2026 21min

  If you’ve worked in retail, you know… the uniform isn’t just something you wear—it’s something you feel. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary takes you behind the counter to talk about the reality of retail uniforms—past and present. From heavy, uncomfortable jackets and strict expectations… to the rare moments when a uniform made you feel confident, powerful, and like you truly belonged. Have uniforms really evolved in 2026—or just been repackaged? Because at the e...
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  Retail Loyalty vs Reality 09.04.2026 20min

  What happens when loyalty… isn’t enough? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the reality of retail in 2026—where years of dedication, consistency, and care can be overlooked in a moment. Retail isn’t just about sales. It’s early mornings, late nights, restocking, cleaning, building relationships, and showing up for people day after day. For many, it’s a career built over decades—serving thousands of clients and creating meaningful connections along the way. This episo...