Charlie Chanaratsopon sees growing e-commerce, multi-use malls, and online marketplaces as critical elements of retail’s “new normal.”

Chain Store Age spoke with Chanaratsopon, CEO/founder of accessories and apparel retailer Charming Charlie, and technology entrepreneur Keith Richman, who is partnering with Chanaratsopon in a new e-commerce venture called Boosted Commerce.

(Charming Charlie filed for bankruptcy in July 2019 and subsequently closed its 260 stores and e-commerce site.

Chanaratsopon acquired the chain’s trademarks at a bankruptcy auction in fall 2019, with plans to revive Charming Charlie as an omnichannel retailer. To date it has opened six stores, with 14 additional locations set to open this spring.)

Chanaratasopon and Richman discussed how retail is evolving in the face of COVID-19, and how Charming Charlie is returning as an omnichannel retail brand. They also provided details about Boosted Commerce, a Los Angeles-based boutique acquisition company focused on investing in third-party sellers on Amazon and Shopify.

To date, the company has acquired nearly 30 third-party sellers and aims to acquire 100 by the end of 2021. How will the pandemic change brick-and-mortar retail?

Read it all: CSA Q&A: Charming Charlie founder predicts future of retail | Chain Store Age