Brick & Mortar Matters
In a world increasingly shaped by digital convenience, the relevance of brick & mortar retail may seem diminished—but the opposite is true. When we describe a town, it is the small retailers that define it. Physical retail stores offer something screens can’t: human interaction, tactile experience, and a sense of place. And in an isolated world where so much of what we buy comes from our phones, brick and mortar retail spaces matter more than ever. Let’s explore what it means to be a good-for-society retailer – the forms, patterns and especially the functions of physical shopping spaces where we touch things before buying them and meet real people along the way. — Lisa Uhrik is an Author, Speaker, Teacher, People/Book Spaces Thought Leader, Small Biz and Literacy Advocate, Manufacturing co-owner, President of Franklin Fixtures and leader. Certified as SPHR; M.Ed. Developmental Psychology, M.Ed. Organizational Development, Ph.D work in Community Literacy with an interest in qualitative research and today’s manufacturing/maker spaces.
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Episodes
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
In this episode of Brick and Mortar Matters, Lisa unpacks three powerful takeaways from the Women in Retail Summit every retail leader should hear.
Discover why it's time to step out of your comfort zone and connect with someone new, what it means to get off your back foot and lean into the moment, and how investing in your physical spaces isn’t just smart—it’s deeply satisfying and surprisingly agile in a shifting global economy. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty or looking for fresh inspiration, these insights will help you lead with confidence, creativity, and conviction. Click to listen now!
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
With a set of unusual choices you'll not find anywhere else, Lisa Uhrik shares her top ten books that have shaped her approach to creating unforgettable in-person experiences. Inspired by the Women in Retail Leadership Summit top 100 book list, Lisa highlights transformative reads that delve into building on strengths, storytelling in design, and the art of genuine connection. From Donald Clifton's "StrengthsFinder 2.0" to the timeless insights of "A Pattern Language," Lisa guides listeners through impactful concepts that promise to enhance any retail journey.
Join her in exploring these narrative-rich resources that offer strategies to excel in the brick-and-mortar realm. Click to listen now.
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Building on Our Teenage Nation Needs Us, it seems that we have nearly eliminated serving each other in our daily lives. We're so self-reliant and addicted to convenience that we have lost the vital act and gift of service.
Embracing service is the key to growth and connection. And interestingly, service in both retail and volunteer work spark transformations in our society. Join Lisa as she explores the impactful role of service in retail and how it shapes who we want to be as a community and a nation.
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Recently, people like Senator Elissa Slotkin (on The View) are suggesting that we are a nation of "angry teens" trying not to destroy ourselves. Lisa's 2021 book America Becoming was a deep dive into that idea – the notion that our country, at 250 years old, is just getting through its teenage period and ready to grow up.
In this episode, Lisa begins to explore how our retail environments are more than just places to shop – they're helping us define who we are and who we want to be. They're helping us craft our identities, build connections, and navigate these transformative years together.
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Ever wondered why some stores make you feel so good you just have to keep going back? In this episode of Brick and Mortar Matters, Lisa Uhrik reflects on insights in conversation with Ari Lowenstein. Based on his work with hundreds of retailers in the gift & home world, Ari framed seven distinct retail experiences that shape strategy for every kind of retailer.
From the Daily Dose to the Living Lab, Lisa explores how each of the seven experiences are crafted and why they matter so much. It's all about making shopping more than buying things—it's about creating memorable moments that keep communities connected and thriving. You won't want to miss this innovative framework that helps us rethink retail strategy.
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Inspired by Mindy Massey, Global Executive Director for Anthropologie, we're talking about the concept of retail as an extension of home. It's a mind flip, a small change that could be transformative for your store today as we explore the ways that – more than ever before –Brick and Mortar spaces matter.