In 2025, for the fifth consecutive year, Sanford Stein was named a top "Retail Retail Expert" by RETHINK Retail, recognizing his continued insights, and thoughtful analysis of all things retailing.
In recognition of Sandy's popular and influential LinkedIn group RETAIL SPEAK™ in 2025 he was selected for the newly formed Retail Voices by NRF, in partnership with media company RETHINK Retail and supporting partner Women in Retail, to recognize and celebrate influential voices impacting retail.
Sandy launched RETAIL SPEAK™, in 2014 on the heels of the introduction of RETAIL SCHMETAIL™ One Hundred Years, Two Immigrants, Three Generations, Four Hundred Projects. The textbook/ and memoir received an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award in 2015.
"In the age of Amazon, Sandy Stein reminds us why retail is far from dead. There's much to learn from his experience" noted Robert Stephens, founder of Geek Squad, and former CTO of Best Buy.
Sandy's command of all aspects of trending and brand application has made him a popular and sought after speaker on three continents. Some of Mr. Steins Keynote’s and conference addresses include The National Retail Federation Convention and EXPO, New York; National Retailers Association of Mexico, Annual Convention and Trade Show, Mexico City, Mexico; Latin American Congress for Trend Retailers, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; VEDIS and HBD Trendcongres 2000, The Hague, Netherlands; and ABEMD Brazil Direct Marketing Association, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Stein was the founder and design director of SteinDesign and subsequently STEIN, LLC through the firms 34 year-long run, beginning in 1981. Through numerous publications and awards the firm became recognized as an industry leader in creating unique and highly effective branded environments. It was responsible for over 400 retail projects ranging from regional and national prototypes to niche concepts and store-in-store branded shops.
STEIN's client list includes such diverse names as: Andersen Renewal, Brunswick Billiards, General Growth Properties, Levolor, Life Fitness, Mall of America, Red Wing Shoes, Simon Properties, Sleep Number, ShopNBC, and Target to name just a few.
Since the launch of RETAIL SPEAK, and Sandy’s Retail Schmetail twitter feed, he has begun a new life chapter. Sandy’s been able to translate his deep understanding of retailing, the marketplace, demographic trending and the fundamentals of a great customer experience and become a trusted voice through his five years as a Forbes.com retail contributor. His over 130 Forbes articles have generated over one million page reads. He has also become a go to source for other note worthy online publications and blogs including Retail Dive, and Retail Rundown. Additionally he’s been featured on Podcasts including Rethink Retail, Retail Retold, Inside Intercom Podcast, among others.
FORBES.COM
Over 100 blogs have generated over 1,000,000 page reads.
THE ROBIN REPORT
Sandy became a contributor to the influential Robin Report in 2021.
RETAIL SPEAK ON LINKEDIN
Founded and managed by Sandy with over 3,000 invited members, and many thousands more active followers. On average the daily news posts receive 2,000 views.
RETHINK RETAIL TOP 100 INFLUENCER
Named one of RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Experts (#TRE) 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2025 he was selected for the newly formed Retail Voices by NRF, in partnership with media company RETHINK Retail and supporting partner Women in Retail, to recognize and celebrate influential voices impacting retail.
RETAIL SCHMETAIL ON TWITTER
Sandy has 8,500 twitter followers @schmetail, generating nearly 1M impressions annually, with an engagement rate of about 40x the industry median average.
Sandy Stein has over 13,000 LinkedIn followers.
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