Barbara Thau

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FEATURES CO—

About Barbara

Barbara is a longtime business reporter and editor specializing in the retail and consumer sectors, whose coverage includes fashion, food, beauty, technology and more. Her coverage at consumer publications like Forbes, CNBC and AOL.com and trade outlets such as Home Furnishings News ranges from market trend analysis features to CEO profiles of the nation’s biggest public companies, as well as buzzy new disruptors. Thau aims for CO—'s features to demystify the business landscape for the business community, with exclusive stories that keep readers ahead of the trends, identify emerging opportunities and offer actionable insights for growth.

Latest—
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

5 Tech Trends Changing the Way Consumers Shop

These digital solutions are poised to gain meaningful adoption by consumers and brands alike, experts say, reshaping how we purchase a range of goods and services.

GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

Accenture’s Head of Retail on the Imprint of Her Mentors

Jill Standish, who leads transformation projects for the world’s biggest retailers, on how mentors that range from her farmer grandfather to a former boss inform her leadership strategies to this day.

GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Retailers Turn Pandemic-Fueled Self-Care and Work-From-Home Trends Into Newfound Business Opportunities

How brands from Williams-Sonoma to Walmart are tapping the remote work movement and the rise in consumers seeking out mental wellness solutions to drive growth.

GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

LinkedIn’s Global DEI Lead on Crafting Winning Diversity Strategies

The Global VP of Diversity and Belonging shares how the nation’s biggest professional network is working to create access to opportunities for marginalized groups, including small business owners.

GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How 3 Brands Turned Pandemic Pivots Into Long-Term Business Gains

Executives from the supermarket, mail-order brand, and startup on monetizing the online grocery boom and consumers’ COVID-sparked food-spending habits to unlock newfound growth.

GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

How Pura Vida Doubled Sales Every Year Since Launch to Become a National Jewelry Brand

CEO and co-founder Griffin Thall on how the bracelet startup became a darling among millennials and Gen Z via micro-influencers, global artisans, and a purpose-driven business model.

GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

How a Pandemic Pivot at Campbell's Soup Co. Won Over Millennials & Gen Z

Campbell’s CMO, Linda Lee, shares how the brand gained market share with younger consumers by leaning into their at-home eating tastes and via partnerships with Instacart to EA Madden video games.

GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

How Startup Bevel Landed Big Retail

Founder and CEO Tristan Walker on the shaving disruptor’s journey from a business idea sparked by a lifelong challenge to a national personal care brand.

GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How Black-Owned UOMA Beauty Broke Into ULTA and Walmart

Founder Sharon Chuter’s bold push for diversity, along with hard-won industry know-how, landed the startup brand in thousands of retail stores.

GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How Startups Capitalized on Two Key Pandemic Trends to Fuel Growth

Executives from the home-sharing site, delivery disruptor and local services app on reaping sales gains and new customers by monetizing the rise in remote work and online grocery shopping.