Advice Line with Kip Tindell of The Container Store

Kip Tindell, co-founder and former CEO of The Container Store, joined Guy Raz on the Advice Line to share his insights on the evolving retail industry and offer guidance to budding entrepreneurs. Tindell, who previously appeared on the show in 2024, reflected on the journey of The Container Store, which he co-founded with his friend Garrett Boone in 1978 in Dallas. His wife, Sharon, joined shortly after. The business, which went public in 2013 and now boasts around 100 locations, was revolutionary at a time when people couldn't easily acquire containers or corrugated boxes for moving.

The Container Store's Journey and the Changing Retail Landscape

Tindell shared his feelings about The Container Store's recent challenges, including its filing for bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by Bed Bath & Beyond for approximately $150 million. He and Sharon had stepped away from the business years ago, but he admitted it was "upsetting and painful to watch your baby" struggle. He acknowledged that the retail world has significantly changed, particularly with the rise of Amazon and online shopping. "Retail has also changed, you know, with the advent of Amazon and online," Tindell noted. He emphasized that "not that many businesses last for 50 years anymore," and many top businesses from decades past are no longer as prominent.

Looking ahead, Tindell identified the "frictionless, no people involved definition of service" as a major disruptive force in retail. He contrasted this with the personalized, solution-oriented sales approach that The Container Store and similar companies once championed. "That's kind of going away, and now people are doing it on their own," he observed. However, Guy Raz countered, suggesting that there's still an opportunity for businesses to offer "excellent human-to-human customer service." He cited his local hardware store, where knowledgeable staff provide a superior experience compared to larger chains like Home Depot.