Retail in 2026: Natalie Berg's Outlook & a Deep Dive into Global Logistics with Becky Lombardo

In this episode of Retail Disrupted, Natalie Berg shares her 2026 outlook and insights from the KPMG Retail Think Tank. She is then joined by international logistics expert Becky Lombardo to unpack how retailers can build resilient, flexible, and profitable supply chains in an increasingly unpredictable world.


Becky shares practical insights on global trade disruption, nearshoring, returns, AI in logistics, sustainability, and why doing less - not more - may be the smartest strategy for retail leaders in 2026.


🎙️ Ideal for: retail executives, e-commerce leaders, supply chain professionals, brand founders, and investors.


00:00 – Introduction to Retail Disrupted


00:28 – Retail trends and challenges shaping 2026


02:48 – Geopolitical risk, weak demand & supply chain pressure


05:10 – AI, personalization & the risk of cognitive complacency


07:05 – Meet Becky Lombardo: global logistics & supply chain expert


08:25 – Why unpredictability is the biggest threat to retail planning


09:45 – Tariffs, geopolitics & global trade uncertainty


10:35 – Sourcing risk, China dependency & supply chain blind spots


12:47 – Nearshoring, profitability & smarter sourcing strategies


14:58 – Doing more with less: cutting complexity in supply chains


16:54 – What luxury retailers get right about customer experience


18:58 – Customer expectations vs speed, service & reliability


20:57 – Logistics, fulfilment & treating every customer like a VIP


23:02 – AI in logistics: efficiency vs human touch


24:39 – Returns, serial returners & charging for returns


26:49 – Sustainability, cost control & smarter supply chains


29:00 – Fixing fit, reducing fashion returns & new technology


31:07 – Direct-to-consumer vs wholesale: hidden operational costs


33:19 – Final advice for brands navigating retail disruption


34:10 – Where to find Becky Lombardo & closing remarks


🔗 KPMG Retail Think Tank: 2026 Outlook (LinkedIn post (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/natali...) )


🔗 More about Becky and Londra Consulting (https://www.londraconsulting.com/who-...)

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