In episode 250 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chris McCann, CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.com, a leading provider of gifts, and Boaz Gaon, CEO and founder of Wisdo, an emotional wellness self-care platform. McCann and Gaon discuss a recent partnership between the two brands as well as the launch of Connection Communities, a peer-to-peer support portal that guides people through life events by connecting them with others who have walked the same path.

McCann shares why having this online community is more relevant now than ever as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, why relationship building is core to the 1-800-FLOWERS.com business, and the positive feedback the retailer is receiving as customers participate in the Connection Communities program. McCann and Gaon discuss how the tool will be managed between both companies, and why it's so important for companies today to not only sell product, but also act upon brand values through corporate responsibility programs and other initiatives.

Chris McCann, chief executive officer, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., is responsible for the company’s operations across all of its brands and businesses. He oversees the company’s strategic, operational and organizational processes, including the development, implementation and execution of annual and longer-term strategic, operating and budget plans. Chris joined the organization in 1984, helping lead the disruption of the flower industry with the company’s innovative use of 800# watts-line technology and subsequently helping transform the company with the adoption of online technology as a pioneer in e-commerce. He served as president of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. for several years and was named CEO in 2016.