Sorry, It's Discontinued: Retail Therapy
Sorry, It’s Discontinued: Retail Therapy explores the history, nostalgia, and human side of retail. Together, we revisit what retail used to be, talk honestly about what it’s like to work the floor today — from Houston and beyond — and imagine how the industry can grow and change for the people inside it. Through solo episodes and candid chats with our retail family, we share the stories and passion that keep this world alive. For anyone who’s ever worked behind the counter or loved a store like home. Have a seat. New episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
Two leaders walked into the store on the same day.
One introduced herself, learned names, and thanked associates.
The other walked straight past them.
It made me wonder — is kindness expected from women in leadership, but optional for men? Does it depend on the leader and not gender?
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, we talk about the invisible emotional labor of retail, the pressure of corporate visits, and the ...
The Houston Galleria wasn’t just where we shopped — it’s where many of us got our first jobs, first paychecks, and first taste of retail life.
From its Italian-inspired design and iconic ice rink to the beauty counters and department stores that defined luxury shopping, this episode celebrates the people behind the counter who created memories for generations of Houstonians.
Because stores aren’t just places to buy things — they’re p...
Saks Global’s bankruptcy restructuring isn’t just a business headline — it’s something retail associates are living through every day.
Fewer hours. Smaller teams. More pressure. And still showing up with a smile.
In this episode, Hilary talks about what it really feels like to devote your career to a store that suddenly feels uncertain — and why retail doesn’t run on strategies or spreadsheets, but on the people behind the counter.
If...
Saks Global’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy didn’t happen overnight.
For years, department stores have been pulled in every direction — rising costs, e-commerce pressure, real estate strategy, and shifting customer expectations — all while trying to preserve the luxury experience they were built on.
In this episode, Hilary breaks down what Chapter 11 actually means, how retail slowly fell out of sync, and why stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus,...
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the vital role of Shipping & Receiving and Operations teams in retail. From unloading trucks and inventory management to stocking shelves, shipping orders, and handling returns, these behind-the-scenes teams keep stores running across beauty, fashion, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and more. This episode highlights the physical demands, logistics skills, and unseen work...
Retail can look effortless when you walk into a store you love — but the truth is, it’s powered by real people working behind the scenes.
In this episode, Hilary spotlights three vital Back of the House departments in luxury retail: Alterations, Loss Prevention, and Visual teams.
From the tailors pinning and stitching confidence into the perfect fit, to LP associates monitoring patterns and protecting store safety, to visual teams sh...
In this quick SID update, Hilary thanks listeners for supporting her Monday Mini episodes and shares a new, sustainable release plan: one episode every Thursday, plus bonus episodes occasionally when inspiration hits.
A reflection on retail burnout, creative ambition, and honoring the time listeners give when they press play.
Includes a beauty spotlight featuring the Haus Labs Coral Highlighter, a personal favorite Hilary purchased h...
National Makeup Artist events were once high-budget, multi-day retail productions built to spotlight artistry and drive beauty sales. Behind the counter, these events required massive operational planning, client booking strategy, product education, and intense pressure on Account Executives, Business Managers, and beauty teams executing the experience.
In today’s beauty retail landscape, influencer culture and social media learning...
Retail and beauty pros are in the final NYE rush — last-minute makeup appointments, rejuvenating facials, and the pressure of showing up when you're exhausted. This episode honors the emotional resilience of makeup artists, beauty advisors, and skincare professionals closing out December retail season while staring down January hour cuts and smaller paychecks. A heartfelt reminder to pace yourself, protect your creativity, and...
Retail, beauty, and fragrance quietly shape the most meaningful moments in our lives — especially during the holidays. In this personal Christmas Day episode, Hilary shares how shopping in stores, discovering beauty favorites, and the scents of home and family became memory markers she still carries today. A reflective conversation about the emotional magic of holiday retail, nostalgia at the beauty counter, and why in-store experi...
What makes a great leader in retail?
In this Mini episode, Hilary shares what truly defines strong leadership behind the counter — from trust and respect to emotional labor and leading with humanity. Drawing from her experience as a former luxury beauty manager, she breaks down how great leaders support schedules, use individual strengths, recognize effort, and create environments where teams feel valued and empowered.
This episode a...
Stock shortages have always existed in retail — but today, the pressure they create is heavier than ever. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores what really happens when stores don’t have the inventory they need, and how selling from empty shelves affects retail workers, small brands, and customer trust.
From shallow assortments and inconsistent replenishment to buyer limitations and behind-the-scenes financial...
This Monday Mini is a quick check-in for the Retail Fam.
Crunch time is here, hours are longer, and the demands are heavier. This episode is a reminder to pause, check in with yourself, and remember that you can’t show up for everyone else if you’re not showing up for yourself.
💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discont...
Step behind the fragrance counter for an honest look at the unspoken rules of fragrance shopping — the bottle sniffers, the silent walk-ups, the loud interrupters, and the customers who expect the world for a tiny purchase.
Fragrance should be joyful… but behind the counter are humans navigating goals, pressure, and the emotional weight of customer interactions.
This episode is a reminder that retail workers aren’t “less than” — and ...
Why are stores feeling emptier?
Why are associates juggling five jobs at once?
And why does online seem to get all the perks?
In today’s Monday Mini, Hilary explains the real reasons behind the retail shift — and why choosing to shop in-store makes a bigger difference than most people realize. You’ll also learn how to support your local stores without even stepping inside.
A simple, honest breakdown of what’s happening — an...
In this episode, Hilary takes you back to 1907, when Neiman Marcus opened its doors under unexpected circumstances — with only one founder present on opening day. From its fragile beginnings to the 1913 fire, the ambitious rebuild, and the rise of Stanley Marcus, this is the story of how a small 50-foot storefront in Dallas became one of the most influential names in American fashion.
You’ll hear how Chanel’s visit to Dallas shaped ...
This week, we’re diving into the real history behind Black Friday, how the 2000s pushed retail into full holiday overdrive, what it was really like inside major stores during December, and how COVID briefly changed everything. From long hours and blackout dates to the magic moments only retail workers understand, this episode breaks down why holiday schedules feel so heavy — and why joy still finds a way to show up.
The holidays feel magical for shoppers… but for retail workers, December often feels like a marathon you never trained for.
In Part 1 of this two-episode series, we’re taking a step back — way back — to uncover how holiday retail schedules were built over the last 100 years.
From the glamorous department store palaces of the 1920s…
to the bustling mall culture of the 80s…
to the big-box boom of the 90s…
We’re exploring...
it’s time to say the quiet parts out loud.
In this episode, Hilary welcomes back her longtime friend and fellow retail veteran, Phaedra, for a raw, real, and surprisingly relatable conversation about the triggers, stress, and emotional toll that come with a life behind the counter.
From morning meeting call-outs and impossible goals, to holiday chaos, demanding clients, toxic leadership, and the constant pressure to perform — we brea...
In this episode, we explore what it’s really like working on commission in luxury retail, including new sales programs like Saks Global’s Seller Success Track.
We discuss pressure, client relationships, burnout, and how sales goals impact departments like beauty, fragrance, RTW, shoes, jewelry, and men’s.
Perfect for anyone working retail, managing a sales team, or curious about the emotional side of the luxury customer e...
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