Craig Patterson and Ben Hertzman, President of Progress Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging, discuss the remarkable evolution of the Canadian packaging company since its founding in 1917. Hertzman shares how Luv2Pak began as a hat box factory supplying icons like Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay, before his family acquired it in 1981 and expanded into gift boxes, bags, ribbons, and coordinated packaging programs for North America’s top retailers. By shifting from solely domestic manufacturing to global sourcing, the company adapted to retailers’ changing needs, establishing itself as a leader in premium retail packaging.

The conversation explores how pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions and skyrocketing freight costs inspired Luv2Pak’s bold decision to reinvest in local production. Hertzman details the launch of Gather Packaging’s state-of-the-art paper bag factory in Toronto, built to ensure exceptional quality and a reliable North American supply. The new facility reflects a commitment to making goods closer to where they’re consumed, while using sustainable materials and processes that meet the needs of modern retailers and eco-conscious consumers.

Patterson and Hertzman also examine how packaging serves as a vital extension of brand experience, both in-store and in e-commerce, acting as a “walking billboard” that reinforces identity and customer loyalty. Highlighting Luv2Pak’s longstanding partnership with Harry Rosen as an example of coordinated, high-quality packaging, Ben shares insights on balancing a 100-year legacy with constant innovation, and offers advice for retailers to stay nimble and invest in packaging that reflects their brand values in an ever-changing market.

Interviewed this episode:

• Ben Hertzman, President of Love2pak and Gather Packaging
• Progress Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging

This podcast is the audio version of the The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
Twitter: @RI_EIC

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Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Craig Patterson and Ravi Rangan, Chief Technology Officer at Centric Software, discuss how the company’s end-to-end product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions are revolutionizing fast-moving consumer goods, fashion, and adjacent industries. Rangan details how Centric evolved from its roots in apparel PLM to now supporting footwear, consumer electronics, and even formulated products like food and cosmetics. By unifying planning, development, sourcing, and in-season optimization, Centric enables brands to streamline processes, improve cohesion, and close feedback loops that have traditionally been siloed.

The conversation explores Centric Software’s innovative use of artificial intelligence, from early expert systems managing complex material compatibilities to predictive analytics forecasting assortment demands and the latest generative AI applications. Rangan shares how Centric’s generative AI tools assist designers with rapid ideation and virtual sampling, dramatically reducing time-to-market by integrating creative inspiration with companies’ own qualified materials and business rules. Grounding AI outputs in enterprise data ensures that suggestions are practical, compliant, and tailored to each customer’s established processes.

Patterson and Rangan highlight shifting industry attitudes toward AI, especially among Canadian retailers, and discuss the critical role of keeping humans in the loop for validation as adoption grows. Looking ahead, Ravi reveals Centric’s excitement about expanding into new categories like consumer electronics and harnessing AI-driven insights to empower retailers with comprehensive, real-time product intelligence. Together, they emphasize the transformative potential of connected PLM solutions to improve agility, design accuracy, and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Interviewed this episode:

• Ravi Rangan, Chief Technology Officer at Centric Software
• Centric Software.

This podcast is the audio version of the The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
Twitter: @RI_EIC

Follow Retail Insider:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
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Twitter: @RetailInsider_
Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Luxury brands may be misreading their most important customers, according to a new research report by Toronto-based consultancy Faculty of Change. The report, titled “The Secret Language of Wealth Your Company Isn’t Speaking,” dives into the shifting mindset of high-net-worth individuals and uncovers a surprising insight: luxury retail is increasingly failing to deliver the one thing its customers value most—status.

“Everything is about status,” said Jared Gordon, Managing Partner at Faculty of Change. “People don’t talk about it openly, but that’s ultimately what drives behaviour, especially among affluent consumers.”

Interviewed this episode:

• Jared Gordon, Managing Partner at Faculty of Change
• Faculty of Change

This podcast is the audio version of the The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
Twitter: @RI_EIC

Follow Retail Insider:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/
Twitter: @RetailInsider_
Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada

Share your thoughts!

Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/