“I believe retail stores will play a really critical role moving forward. To build that emotional connection, we need both online and offline—but it’s those community moments that give us a reason to connect beyond our product.” - Karen Riley-Grant

The athleisure category is crowded—but Vuori is cutting through the noise with clarity, consistency, and a fanatical focus on product. As legacy brands wrestle with cultural relevancy and digital disruption, Vuori is writing its own playbook. From cultivating loyal communities to resisting the lure of third-party marketplaces, CMO Karen Riley-Grant shares how the brand is leaning into authenticity and emotional connection to drive long-term, sustainable growth.

Karen Riley-Grant is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vuori, where she leads brand, content, and global marketing strategy. With three decades in the apparel industry—including senior roles at Levi’s and Converse—she brings deep expertise in product storytelling, omnichannel growth, and community engagement. At Vuori, she’s focused on building an iconic, emotionally resonant brand grounded in performance and simplicity.

Tune into the latest episode or read the transcript below to learn more. Here are some top takeaways:

Product First, Always

Vuori’s breakout wasn’t built on hype—it was built on product. Karen shares how exceptional design and comfort helped the brand earn loyalty before it built awareness. They launched with elevated men’s gear, then expanded to women’s during COVID with comfort-first styles. The insight? You don’t need to shout if your product speaks for itself. Brands should treat quality as their most effective marketing channel.

Don’t Let Creators Speak Louder Than You

Influencers can help scale a brand, but Karen warns against overreliance. Vuori takes a structured approach to creators—vetting for fit, KPIs, and long-term value, not just reach. If your brand only shows up through a partner, she says, you risk becoming forgettable. The takeaway: use creators to extend your voice, not replace it.

Growth That Protects Brand Integrity

Vuori has never sold on Amazon—and that’s by design. Karen explains how avoiding third-party marketplaces helps protect first-party data, preserve price integrity, and own the customer experience. It’s a choice that trades short-term sales for long-term brand control. For marketers, the message is clear: not all growth is created equal.

Stores Are More Than Sales Channels

With 80+ locations, Vuori uses retail to build connection, not just conversion. Karen outlines how community events like run clubs and fitness classes turn stores into hubs of belonging. It’s part of a broader strategy to bring Vuori’s ethos to life offline. Brands investing in physical retail should ask: are we selling or creating something people want to be part of?

Founder Stories Still Win

Karen is leaning into storytelling that goes beyond product—like Vuori’s The Rise, The Shine and The Design Philosophy series. Surprisingly, founder Joe Kudla’s unscripted product videos are outperforming slick brand ads. Why? Because they’re real. The takeaway: in a world full of noise, human clarity and credibility cut through.