Sorry, It's Discontinued
Sorry, It’s Discontinued is a podcast that highlights the reality of retail and takes you behind the counter of the luxury beauty, fragrance, and fashion retail world. Hosted by Hilary, a former business manager with over 25 years in brands like Chanel, Tom Ford, Clarins, and Prescriptives, this show is full of retail stories and insider perspectives from Hilary and fellow Retail Warriors who know first hand what retail is like.
The first 10 episodes introduced listeners to some of the incredible people working in the industry. Now, the podcast shifts deeper — into the real experiences of what it’s like working in retail and navigating this industry now a days.
From the heartbreak of a favorite lipstick being discontinued, to corporate store visits and the unfiltered truth about working in retail, Hilary delivers stories that are honest, funny, and relatable. She dives into the daily realities of beauty advisors, style advisors, makeup artists, freelance artists, and commission-based associates, sharing the glamour, the grit, and everything in between.
This is for my retail family — and for all of us who are customers and want to know what really happens behind the counter. Have a seat and join us, with new episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
34 episodes
The Magic of the Beauty Counter: Memories Retail Gave Me
Retail, beauty, and fragrance quietly shape the most meaningful moments in our lives — especially during the holidays. In this personal Christmas Day episode, Hilary shares how shopping in stores, discovering beauty favorites, and the scents...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 32
•
11:07
What Makes a Great Retail Leader: Trust, Respect, and the Human Side of Leadership
What makes a great leader in retail?In this Mini episode, Hilary shares what truly defines strong leadership behind the counter — from trust and respect to emotional labor and leading with humanity. Drawing from her experience ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 31
•
18:34
You Can’t Sell What You Don’t Have: Stock Shortages in Retail
Stock shortages have always existed in retail — but today, the pressure they create is heavier than ever. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores what really happens when stores don’t have the inve...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 30
•
15:59
Retail Crew Check-In: Crunch Time & Taking Care of Yourself
This Monday Mini is a quick check-in for the Retail Fam. Crunch time is here, hours are longer, and the demands are heavier. This episode is a reminder to pause, check in with yourself, and remember that you can’t show up for everyo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 29
•
10:05
Fragrance Etiquette: What Retail Workers Want You to Know
Step behind the fragrance counter for an honest look at the unspoken rules of fragrance shopping — the bottle sniffers, the silent walk-ups, the loud interrupters, and the customers who expect the world for a tiny purchase.Frag...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 28
•
27:06
Why Shopping In-Store Matters More Than Ever
Why are stores feeling emptier? Why are associates juggling five jobs at once? And why does online seem to get all the perks?In today’s Monday Mini, Hilary explains the real reasons behind the retail shift — a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 27
•
14:59
Neiman Marcus: The Dallas Store That Changed American Fashion
In this episode, Hilary takes you back to 1907, when Neiman Marcus opened its doors under unexpected circumstances — with only one founder present on opening day. From its fragile beginnings to the 1913 fire, the ambitious rebuild, and the r...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 26
•
32:50
Holiday Schedules Part 2: Black Friday, The 2000s & Retail Today
This week, we’re diving into the real history behind Black Friday, how the 2000s pushed retail into full holiday overdrive, what it was really like inside major stores during December, and how COVID briefly chang...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 25
•
26:21
Holiday Schedules: How It All Began
The holidays feel magical for shoppers… but for retail workers, December often feels like a marathon you never trained for. In Part 1 of this two-episode series, we’re taking a step back — way back — to uncove...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 24
•
19:58
Retail Triggers & The Toll We Don’t Talk About — with Phaedra
it’s time to say the quiet parts out loud.In this episode, Hilary welcomes back her longtime friend and fellow retail veteran, Phaedra, for a raw, real, and surprisingly relatable conversation about the triggers, stress...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 23
•
42:45
Million-Dollar Goals: What Commission Really Feels Like in Luxury Retail
In this episode, we explore what it’s really like working on commission in luxury retail, including new sales programs like Saks Global’s Seller Success Track. We discuss pressure, client relationships, burnout, and how sales goals ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 22
•
18:35
The Retail Mean Girl Effect: Why Culture Matters More Than Sales Goals
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary gets real about the “Mean Girl” energy that can take over retail counters, back rooms, and even leadership meetings — and how fear-based goals, gossip, and competitio...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 21
•
27:43
The Fragrance Floor: Chaos, Charm, and Competition Behind the Counter
You can smell it before you walk through the door — the scent of luxury, competition, and pure chaos. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary dives into the fascinating world of fragrance: where brands batt...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 20
•
28:15
The Power of the Manager
Managers are the heartbeat of retail — the ones who set the tone, inspire their teams, and carry more pressure than most people ever realize. In this episode, Hilary explores the emotional and practical realities of leadership behind the cou...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
41:04
The Vanishing Support System: Why Customer Service Isn’t the Same Anymore
In this follow-up to my first customer service episode, I’m taking a deeper look at how service has evolved — from the golden age of department stores and handwritten thank-you notes to today’s fast-paced, digital-first world.W...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
26:13
Customer Service Then & Now: From Indulgence to Entitlement in a Digital Age
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary takes you behind the counter to explore the evolution of customer service in retail—from the early days of luxury department stores with tea rooms, lounges, and unconditional r...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
33:02
Guided by Women, Grounded in Instinct: Phaedra’s Journey
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Phaedra to talk about her journey from growing up in Houston to building a career rooted in fashion and leadership. With her start at Nordstrom, Phaedr...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
57:31
Retail Hurts: The Hidden Cost on Our Bodies
This episode dives into the often-overlooked health impacts of working in retail, especially the conditions lurking behind the scenes in stock rooms. From dust-covered vents to hidden mold and construction , these environments can take a ser...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
23:04
Break Time: Why Rest at Work Matters
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the reality of retail and sales culture. Too often, the pressure to hit numbers pushes us to skip meals, rush through breaks, or put our own well-being last—all in the name of keeping the fl...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
31:55
They Came, They Saw, They Didn’t Say Hello: When Corporate Visits Miss the Mark in Retail
In this episode of 'Sorry It's Discontinued', host Hilary delves into the often overlooked experiences of retail employees during store visits. She shares personal anecdotes and insights about the anticipation, preparation, and emotional tol...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
29:08
The Most Expensive Thing in Retail: Your Peace of Mind
Retail work isn’t just about selling products—it’s about showing up every day in environments that can feel unpredictable, stressful, and sometimes unsafe. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued: Behind the Counter, Hilary pulls b...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
39:36
Morning Meetings: Motivation or Misery?
In this conversation, Hilary discusses the complexities of workplace dynamics, particularly in retail settings. She emphasizes the importance of employee recognition, the challenges managers face in motivating their teams, and the need for a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
34:11
The Discontinued Lipstick: Discontinued and Devastated
What happens when your favorite lipstick shade suddenly vanishes? In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued: Behind the Counter, Hilary takes you inside the heartbreak, hilarity, and pure chaos of telling customers t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
31:30
Rhonda: Blending in Minneapolis, Standing Out Everywhere
In this captivating episode of Sorry, It's Discontinued, host Hilary sits down with the magnetic and multi-talented Rhonda Jackson, a professional makeup artist with a career that reads like a beauty lover’s dream.Rhonda ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
1:08:15
Starr Power: Beauty, Bravery & Whole lot of Glitter
In this episode, Hilary sits with Starr, a prominent figure in the drag community, discussing her journey from a small town in Louisiana to becoming a celebrated performer in New Orleans. Starr shares her early inspirations in beauty, her ex...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
43:08