Jeansland Podcast
This is why I do this. Jeansland is a podcast about the ecosystem in which jeans live. There are an estimated 26 million cotton farmers around the world, and about 25% of their production goes into jeans, which could mean 6.2 million farmers depend on denim. I read estimates that at least 1 million people work in retail selling jeans, and another 1.5 to 2 million sew them. And then there are all the label producers, pattern makers, laundries, chemical companies, machinery producers, and those that work in denim mills. I mean, the jeans industry, which is bigger than the global movie and music business combined, employs a lot of human beings. And many of them, like me, love jeans. The French philosopher and existentialist Simone de Beauvoir, when visiting New York, said, "Everyone in the New York subway is a novel." I never met her, but I guess she made the observation because of the incredible diversity of people who ride the subway system. I'm convinced the people in our jeans industry are like those in the subway. They are unique, with rich and complex stories to tell, and I want to hear them. And deep inside me, I think you might feel the same way.
https://jeansland.co/
Jeansland Podcast
EP 28: Retail, Reality, and the Tariff Storm with Mark A. Cohen
Episode 28: Retail, Reality, and the Tariff Storm with Mark A. Cohen
Mark A. Cohen didn’t plan on going into retail. He was an engineer by training who took a department store job to cover rent. What happened next was a decades-long ride to the top, including stints at Sears, Lazarus, and Mervyn’s, and nearly 20 years teaching at Columbia Business School. These days, he’s the guy business networks call when they want the real story behind the numbers.
In this episode, Andrew talks with Mark about what separates the great retailers from the rest. They dig into contract failures, the real impact of tariffs, and why certain companies thrive while others stall out. Along the way, they rate the biggest names in the business and unpack why Costco might be the best retailer in the world.
Mark is sharp, honest, and doesn’t hold back. Whether you’re deep in the supply chain or just want to understand what’s coming next, this one’s worth a listen.
Guest: Mark A. Cohen, former CEO of Sears Canada and longtime Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School
Listen Now at Jeansland.co