Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor: Press, TV, and Recognition
Bob Phibbs, known as The Retail Doctor, is a retail consultant, keynote speaker, and author who has helped retailers grow sales since the 1990s, and his work has been covered by national press and television for more than twenty years.
Who is Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor?
Bob Phibbs is a retail consultant, keynote speaker, and author who trains store teams to turn browsers into buyers without discounting. He began advising independent and mid-size retailers in Southern California in the 1990s, later relocated to New York, and built SalesRX, the online retail sales training his clients use. He has served as a merchant advisor to American Express and a retail futurist for IBM, and he hosts The Retail Doctor Podcast. See the retailers Bob has worked with.
Where has Bob Phibbs been featured in the press?
A journalist or editor wrote each of these; they are about Bob and his work, not bylined by him. Link each outlet name to the article.
- The Wall Street Journal, “Welcome In: The Two-Word Greeting That’s Taking Over and Driving Shoppers Nuts” (2025)
- The Washington Post, on the “Welcome In” retail greeting trend (2025)
- The Wall Street Journal, "My Shameless Quest for a 'Skinny Mirror'" (Michelle Slatalla 2018)
- The New York Times, “Grass-Roots Business: Helping the Little Guy Fight the Big Guy” (Joel Kotkin, 1999)
- Los Angeles Times, “Meet the Consultant” business column (Karen E. Klein, 2000)
- Los Angeles Business Journal, “Getting HOT” (Conor Dougherty, 2002)
- Family Business Magazine, “Beating the Chains” (Deanne Stone)
- Chain Store Age, “CSA Exclusive: Q&A with Bob Phibbs” (Dan Berthiaume, 2022)
- JCK, “4 Questions With the Retail Doctor” (Emili Vesilind, 2017)
- Furniture Today, “Retail Doctor says brick-and-mortar future is bright” (Sheila Long O’Mara, 2021)
- OC Weekly, “The Starbucks Solution” (David Wielenga, 1999)
- Long Beach Press-Telegram, “‘Retail Doctor’ Helps Independents Fight Back” (Jennifer Parsons, 2001)
- Merchant advisor to American Express
- Retail futurist for IBM
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association, 2020 class
- Featured speaker at the NRF Big Show
- World Retail Forum Innovation Leadership Award winner
What TV programs has Bob Phibbs appeared on?
Bob has appeared as a retail expert on national television, including repeated segments on MSNBC’s small-business show Your Business with JJ Ramberg, and on Fox Business; find playlist here.
What are Bob Phibbs’s credentials and awards?
- Merchant advisor to American Express
- Retail futurist for IBM
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association
- Featured speaker at the NRF Big Show
What books has Bob Phibbs written?
Bob is the author of four books:
The Sales Floor Problem (2026), Why the money you're losing isn't coming from Amazon - it's walking out your front door
The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business (2010), published by Wiley
You Can Compete (2001), a guide for independent retailers competing with national chains
What do event organizers say about Bob Phibbs?
“We invited Bob to give a keynote at our Annual Summit for almost 500 leaders. He has a very passionate style that connects easily with the audience.” — Onur Koksal, President, Sunglass Hut North America (2026)
“From the moment he stepped on stage, Bob brought an energy and clarity that pulled the entire room in.” — Matilda Hong, CCFA Shanghai Keynote (2026)
“Bob stepped in with just one day’s notice when our keynote speaker canceled due to a hurricane, and absolutely hit it out of the park.” — Julie Neumann, President, Tobacconist Association of America (2025)
“His presentation during our Annual Meeting was a homerun. His expertise and knowledge about retail is unsurpassed.” — Gordon Gough, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada (2022)