The Voice of Retail
Welcome to The Voice of Retail, the podcast of the Connecticut Retail Network
This podcast, launched in January 2025, provides insight into the retail industry in Connecticut, from the perspective of retailers and retail customers. The retail industry is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans.
The Connecticut Retail Network represents the retail industry in the state of Connecticut, an industry that supports more than 470,000 jobs and contributes more than $34 billion to our state ’s economy. 24% of jobs in Connecticut – nearly one in four – are supported by the retail industry. And more than 98% of all retail companies are small businesses, employing fewer than 50 people.
The Connecticut Retail Network is the Voice of Retail, at the State Capitol and across the state. This podcast features timely conversations about retail topics and trends, with retail industry leaders and business owners from throughout the state. It’s a podcast for retailers – and their customers! Retail businesses are everywhere in Connecticut. New retail businesses continue to emerge, and longstanding retailers achieve milestones of longevity each and every year. It is an industry that sees near-constant change, and is resilient and responsive.
We discuss many topics on this podcast, and welcome your suggestions if there is a retail topic you’d like to hear more about. Contact us at tim@ctretailnetwork.com. Take a few minutes to listen to episodes of The Voice of Retail, the podcast of the Connecticut Retail Network.
Season 2
Episode 1 – Navigating Connecticut's Budget Landscape
In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, Tim Phelan discusses CRN and its significance in the state’s economy. He interviews Jeffrey Beckham, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, about the recent budget introduced by the governor of Connecticut.
Episode 2 – Consumer Confidence, Tariffs & The Future of Retail
In this episode of the Voice of Retail, Tim Phelan discusses the evolving landscape of Connecticut’s retail industry with Mark Matthews, Executive Director of Research at the National Retail Federation.
Episode 3 – A Legacy of Luxury
In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Tim Phelan speaks with Russ Mitchell, owner of Mitchell’s of Westport and Richard’s of Greenwich, about the evolution of luxury retail, the importance of customer relationships, and the challenges faced by family businesses in the retail sector.
Season 1
Episode 1 – Introducing the Voice of Retail: Connecticut Retail Network's Podcast
The inaugural episode of The Voice of Retail podcast introduces the Connecticut Retail Network, highlighting its mission to represent the retail industry in Connecticut.
Episode 2 – The Vital Role of Tourism in Connecticut's Economy
In this episode, Tim Phelan speaks with Anthony Anthony, Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Connecticut, about the intersection of tourism and retail in Connecticut.
Episode 3 - The National Retail Federations' Role in Retail Advocacy
In this episode, Tim Phelan discusses the current state of the retail industry with Matthew Shea, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation.
Episode 4 - Navigating Retail's Future: Insights from Mark Matthews on Consumer Sentiment and Spending Trends
In this episode, Tim Phelan discusses the current state of the retail industry with Mark Matthews, Executive Director of Research at the National Retail Federation.