Retail Gets Real: Recent Episodes
National Retail Federation
Retail impacts everyone, every day, everywhere. Join the National Retail Federation for authentic, insightful conversations with the industry's most interesting people. Hear retail executives, industry experts, entrepreneurs and influencers discuss trends, their career stories and the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Creative collaborations have become a powerful and fresh way to connect with consumers, but the most successful partnerships are about far more than celebrity names or limited-edition products. Gigi Guerra, vice president of marketing and creative curation at Target, shares how thoughtful storytelling, guest insights and authentic partnerships come together to create moments that resonate across generations.
(00:00:00) From fashion design to leading iconic retail brands
(00:09:21) The strategy behind Target's biggest collaborations
(00:14:43) Creating collaborations people can't wait to experience
(00:18:19) Why the best collaborations create lasting memories
(00:21:55) How social media shapes modern retail collaborations
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn more from retail’s most innovative leaders at an NRF event.
• Learn about retail education and training from the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
Hanna Andersson has spent decades building a reputation for quality children's apparel that families trust and pass down from generation to generation. Aimée Lapic, CEO of Hanna Andersson, joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how the company continues to grow while staying true to its mission of championing childhood.
(00:00:00) A customer-first career in retail
(00:03:51) Leadership through teamwork and authenticity
(00:08:50) Designing a brand around childhood
(00:11:20) Turning resale into a competitive advantage
(00:15:32) Building a culture designed for working families
(00:20:24) What keeps customers coming back
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 412: How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun
• 360: How Kendra Scott’s ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision transforms communities
Outlet shopping has come a long way from its origins as a place for manufacturers to sell excess inventory. Today, consumers are looking for much more than a deal, and Tanger is evolving alongside them. Stephen Yalof, president and CEO of Tanger Inc., joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how shopping centers are becoming entertainment destinations, the resilience of today's shoppers and why the future of retail is still very much rooted in physical experiences.
(00:00:00) The evolution of outlet retail
(00:06:15) Reimagining the outlet experience
(00:10:08) Understanding today's retail consumer
(00:13:34) Leadership lessons from the top
(00:16:32) From dealmaker to CEO
(00:19:30) The three notes rule
(00:23:02) What excites Stephen Yalof about retail's future
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
What started as a rugged utility product built for workers and outdoor enthusiasts has evolved into one of the most recognizable lifestyle brands in retail: Stanley 1913, part of PMI WW Brands LLC. Matt Navarro, global brand president, PMI WW Brands LLC (Stanley 1913), joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how Stanley balanced explosive viral growth with long-term brand building, global expansion and product innovation.
(00:00:00) Building a career through mentorship and growth
(00:03:59) Reinventing Stanley for a new generation
(00:08:09) Understanding Stanley’s evolving consumer
(00:10:21) The partnerships driving Stanley’s cultural relevance
(00:14:29) Balancing Stanley’s heritage with innovation
(00:16:05) The innovation history behind Stanley’s products
(00:18:09) What leadership looks like inside Stanley 1913
(00:22:01) What’s next for Stanley
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
• 350: Comfort, collaboration and imaginative innovation at Crocs
Retail sales remain strong, consumers are still spending and yet economic anxiety continues to dominate headlines. NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews joins Retail Gets Real to unpack the contradictions shaping today’s economy, from record-low consumer sentiment to resilient retail performance.
(00:00:00) Why consumers keep spending despite economic anxiety
(00:05:17) Why family spending stays strong during economic pressure
(00:07:03) What the K-shaped economy actually means
(00:09:15) How retailers are adapting to a new generation of consumers
(00:11:11) Why retail remains one of the most misunderstood industries
(00:15:23) What makes a great economist
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 387: Behind the data: Insights from NRF’s top economists
• 400: How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025
• 397: What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025
Digital transformation in retail is no longer optional, and few leaders have had a front-row seat to its evolution quite like Joseph Cano, senior vice president of digital commerce at Lowe’s. With technology evolving daily and customer expectations rising just as fast, success comes down to one thing — staying relentlessly focused on the customer. That mindset has shaped every step of Cano’s career, with each experience reinforcing the same lesson: When the customer is at the center, navigating new business models and constant disruption becomes easier.
(00:00:00) From retail stores to digital leadership
(00:07:19) Launching Lowe’s Marketplace at speed
(00:10:13) How AI is reshaping the customer experience
(00:16:00) A leadership style built on trust and transparency
(00:18:59) Inside the culture driving Lowe’s forward
(00:21:25) Staying ahead in a constantly evolving retail landscape
(00:23:51) A 10-year prediction for the future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Lowe’s Mylo AI Shopping Assistant
• Lowe’s Marketplace
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
• 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers
From a wholesale-only business to a multi-channel global brand, Carhartt has expanded its reach without losing sight of who it serves: hardworking people. Linda Hubbard, president and CEO of Carhartt Inc., shares how one of America’s most iconic brands has grown while staying grounded in its original purpose.
(00:00:00) Growing Carhartt beyond wholesale
(00:05:50) Leading change inside a legacy family business
(00:10:08) Career growth, mentorship, and asking for more
(00:14:22) How the Carhartt customer has evolved
(00:17:52) Carhartt’s strategy for opening stores
(00:20:12) Inside the Carhartt and Ford collaboration
(00:23:38) The future of retail: AI, resale and direct growth
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Forged In Detroit: Carhartt And Ford Announce Partnership To Strengthen Essential Economy
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
• 349: How Arc’teryx is reaching new heights while staying loyal to its core customers
Brieane Olson has spent nearly two decades helping reshape Pacsun. She joins Retail Gets Real to share what it takes to evolve a legacy retail brand without losing sight of the customer. With a retail career that began at age 15, her foundation in fashion still shapes how she leads today. The connection point between product and consumer remains an energizing part of her career journey, and influences how she leads people, sets strategy and guides the business through constant change.
(00:00:00) Olson’s path to CEO
(00:07:40) Pacsun’s evolution from retailer to brand
(00:12:58) Inside Olson’s new book, “Co-Created”
(00:15:16) Leading through change and uncertainty
(00:20:20) Why leading mission-first is essential for the future of retail
(00:24:10) What Gen Z and Gen Alpha are saying now
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Preorder “Co-Created” by Brieane Olson
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer
• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale
Retail is evolving at an incredible pace, but at its core, it still comes down to people. Michelle Wlazlo, brand CEO of JCPenney, joins Retail Gets Real to share her grounded and optimistic perspective on where the industry is headed and why the fundamentals of serving customers remain as important as ever.
(00:00:00) A retail career shaped by customers
(00:06:44) Why physical stores aren’t going anywhere
(00:09:02) Reintroducing JCPenney to a new generation of customers
(00:15:52) The forces reshaping retail right now
(00:17:52) Career advice that changes how you lead and grow
(00:19:54) What will and won’t change in the future of retail
(00:22:24) The joy of shopping beyond just buying
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Yes—JCPenney: Their Boldest Campaign Yet
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale
Retail stores remain powerful spaces for storytelling, connection and cultural relevance. José Raul Padron, design lead for the Hershey Experience at The Hershey Company, joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to share how thoughtful retail design transforms everyday shopping into memorable experiences. From immersive brand homes to viral product moments, he says physical retail continues to evolve in a digital-first world.
(00:00:00) From chocolate legacy to retail design leadership
(00:06:04) Why physical retail still matters in a digital world
(00:11:17) Building immersive retail moments that capture culture
(00:14:07) Where creative inspiration for retail design comes from
(00:16:31) Inside the Hershey’s creative hub in Pennsylvania
(00:17:49) Career advice for the next generation of retail creatives
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending
• 367: How Kraft Heinz deploys omnichannel strategies across emerging global markets
Leadership in retail today requires balancing innovation, culture and purpose. Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of REI Co-op, joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to share lessons from a career spanning some of the most influential brands in retail and explain how she is guiding REI into its next chapter. She discusses her career journey, the role of mentorship and how the co-op is evolving its strategy while staying rooted in its mission and values.
(00:00:00) From consulting to leading iconic retail brands
(00:05:51) Leveraging REI’s unique strengths for growth
(00:07:37) Navigating culture at an 87-year-old retailer
(00:09:25) REI’s strategy for the next chapter of growth
(00:11:09) Turning strategy into action at REI
(00:15:37) Leading retail in the age of AI
(00:18:23) Keeping purpose at the center of the business
(00:20:31) Building a culture that embraces change
(00:24:01) The evolving future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience
• 380: How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand
At a time when retail is being reshaped by technology, generational shifts and changing expectations around authenticity, understanding the consumer has never been more critical. Jennifer Yue, senior vice president of strategy and consumer insights at Coach and Tapestry, joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to share how deep listening and human-centered insight are driving growth at one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.
(00:00:00) From investment banking to consumer insight leadership
(00:04:26) Why growth starts with the people who are not buying
(00:08:40) Turning human insight into a competitive advantage
(00:15:02) Why physical retail is becoming more important again
(00:17:28) What keeps a long retail career exciting
(00:19:22) The future of retail is both digital and deeply human
(00:21:02) Why curiosity is a leadership advantage in retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 378: How Coach captivates consumers with visual storytelling
• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale
• 360: How Kendra Scott’s ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision transforms communities
As retail continues to evolve at the intersection of technology and human connection, Jason Johnson, CIO of Sweetwater Sound, offers a compelling perspective on what it means to lead with both innovation and heart. On this episode of “Retail Gets Real,” Johnson discusses how Sweetwater has grown into one of the most distinctive retailers in the industry by treating technology not as a back-office function, but as a core driver of growth — especially with its team of more than 700 commissioned sales engineers building off the founder’s core mission of deeply personal service
(00:00:00) Inside Sweetwater’s rock ‘n’ roll retail model
(00:04:46) From Navy service to CIO leadership
(00:11:10) Innovating at scale with AI and education
(00:16:30) Bringing the in-store experience online
(00:19:40) Leading with radical transparency and trust
(00:23:12) Building a culture where people truly thrive
(00:26:34) The future of retail in an AI-powered world
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Visit sweetwater.com
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience
• 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers
Technology is reshaping the in-store experience, and Jake Neiman is helping retailers bring digital innovation into the physical world. The co-founder and CEO of BIG Digital joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how immersive kiosks, smart merchandising solutions, AI-powered interfaces and next-generation ePaper displays are transforming how customers engage with brands inside stores.
(00:00:00) Powering live events with interactive kiosks
(00:04:38) Building BIG Digital during a global shutdown
(00:07:04) Bringing immersive technology onto the sales floor
(00:11:26) What limits retailers from adopting new tech
(00:12:56) What’s next for digital retail innovation
(00:17:34) The future of retail belongs to immersive experiences
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 399: Inside Retail’s Big Show: Innovation, AI and what’s coming next
• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience
Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing, events and culture forecasting at WGSN, returns to Retail Gets Real to explore what is changing in culture, technology and consumer behavior. Recorded live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, she discusses the evolving nature of human connection and what retailers can do to future-proof their businesses in a world shaped by uncertainty, fragmented identities and competing demands for attention.
(00:00:00) When disruption reshapes the future overnight
(00:04:25) How uncertainty is shaping the next consumer generation
(00:07:35) Loneliness, community and the return of shared experiences
(00:12:07) Why niche communities and creators are redefining influence
(00:16:29) Where AI helps and where it hurts the retail experience
(00:18:41) Why the next big disruption is going offline
(00:23:49) How culture, entertainment and moments are driving what’s next
(00:29:03) Rapid fire insights on media, habits and attention
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 400: How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025
• 374: Get ahead of the future of retail
Known for its bold brand, devoted fans and culture of innovation, Taco Bell continues to push the boundaries of what modern retail can be, blending human connection with digital transformation to create memorable experiences for both consumers and team members. Dane Mathews, global chief digital and technology officer at Taco Bell joins guest host David French of NRF for this wide-ranging conversation on innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of technology in retail, recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City.
(00:00:00) From fandom to digital transformation
(00:05:05) Turning loyalty into human connection
(00:08:57) When AI changes the customer mindset
(00:10:39) Scaling meaningful moments in 2026
(00:13:55) Managing risk at the edge of innovation
(00:16:53) Rethinking the human and technology equation
(00:20:04) Leading with connection, curiosity and momentum
(00:22:47) Why volatility is retail’s greatest opportunity
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 386: Inside Starbucks’ commitment to thriving communities
• 358: How McDonald’s enhances customer engagement and loyalty
Retail is an industry built on people, emotion and constant reinvention, and few leaders embody that reality more fully than Ulta Beauty President and CEO Kecia Steelman. In this episode of Retail Gets Real recorded live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Steelman explores her remarkable career journey, leadership philosophy and how she’s guiding the nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer through one of the most transformative moments in retail history.
(00:00:00) From the sales floor to the CEO seat
(00:05:48) How retail creates opportunity at every level
(00:09:14) Why beauty retail is about emotion, not just products
(00:12:52) Why the future of retail has no finish line
(00:16:24) How culture drives performance at Ulta Beauty
(00:19:28) How Ulta Beauty localizes a global brand
(00:22:14) What retail needs more (and less) of right now
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 380: How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand
• 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
Live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Ali Furman, partner and U.S. consumer markets industry leader at PwC, and Barbara O’Beirne, head of global enterprise business development at Stripe, both join Retail Gets Real for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is rapidly moving from experimentation to execution — and what that means for retailers right now.
Near the Expo floor buzzing with robots, AI demos and next-generation technology, Furman and O’Beirne unpack why agentic AI represents a structural change rather than a passing trend. Unlike earlier generations of AI that primarily assisted with search and discovery, agentic AI is designed to act. It can evaluate options, make decisions and increasingly transact on behalf of consumers. They say this evolution is reshaping the very top of the shopping funnel and redefining how consumers decide what to buy.
(00:00:00) Why agentic AI was everywhere at NRF 2026
(00:04:49) How commerce is moving inside AI conversations
(00:07:29) Why agentic commerce is a structural shift, not a trend
(00:10:21) How will agentic AI impact bricks-and-mortar retail?
(00:12:45) How PwC and Stripe are helping retailers move from pilots to reality
(00:18:31) Where retail leaders should start with AI right now
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers
• 390: The role of AI in shaping cybersecurity and fraud prevention
Horacio “Haio” Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, joins Retail Gets Real to reflect on a global career in retail, the responsibility of developing future talent and how leaders can navigate rapid change while keeping humanity at the center of the business.
With nearly three decades of experience spanning Argentina, the United States, Chile, Puerto Rico and Canada, Barbeito’s leadership philosophy was shaped by working across cultures and markets. His journey — which included 26 years at Walmart and CEO roles in multiple international businesses — reinforced an early lesson: Growth happens when leaders are willing to leave their comfort zones. Retail, he says, is never static. It demands constant learning, movement and responsiveness to customers whose expectations evolve at the speed of culture.
(00:00:00) Building a global retail career through change
(00:06:16) Creating first jobs that change lives
(00:10:26) Why investing in people is smart business
(00:13:20) Navigating AI without losing the human touch
(00:19:14) Advice for the next generation of retail leaders
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 391. AI, skills-first hiring and the next era of retail jobs
As Retail Gets Real reaches its 400th episode, we’re joined by Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, for a special conversation reflecting on the year that was, and what it reveals about the future of retail. The milestone episode offers a comprehensive look at the forces that shaped the industry in 2025, from global expansion and trade policy to consumer behavior and artificial intelligence.
(00:00:00) Marking 400 episodes and setting the stage for retail’s future
(00:05:35) Trade policy, tariffs and the cost of uncertainty
(00:10:00) Keeping the consumer at the center of retail policy
(00:12:10) Understanding today’s consumer: anxious, adaptable and still spending
(00:17:24) Making sense of AI without getting overwhelmed
(00:25:01) Investing in the future of retail leadership and education
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Learn more about NRF’s work on behalf of the retail industry in 2025 at nrf.com/2025
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025
• 332: The state of retail heading into 2024
Retail’s Big Show has long been the industry’s can’t-miss gathering.In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we get an inside look at what’s ahead for NRF 2026, straight from the leaders who bring the event to life. We’re joined by Susan Newman, senior vice president of event strategy at the National Retail Federation; Jill Dvorak, senior vice president of content; and Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director of NRF’s Center for Retail Sustainability, to preview what attendees can expect at the retail industry’s most influential event.
(00:00:00) What “The next now” means for retail
(00:04:42) Inside the NRF Expo experience
(00:07:03) Keynotes, AI and must-see content
(00:10:20) Networking, celebrations, and shared experiences
(00:11:29) Introducing NRF Rev and the circular economy
(00:13:27) Insider tips for navigating Retail’s Big Show
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Learn more about the all new NRF Rev
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 371: NRF 2025 preview: Big things are coming to Retail’s Big Show
• 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025
Gen Z is rapidly becoming one of the most influential consumer groups in the marketplace. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we hear from two guests who sit at the heart of this evolving landscape: Carly Berns, assistant vice president at Berns Communications Group and co-founder of The Z Suite, and Olivia Meyer, a Gen Z retail strategist and Z Suite member. Together, they explore what defines today’s youngest adult shoppers, how they influence retail trends and what retailers must do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, personalization and transparency reign supreme.
(00:00:00) Introducing Gen Z’s growing influence on retail
(00:04:00) How The Z Suite connects retailers with Gen Z
(00:06:52) How Gen Z uses AI in the shopping journey
(00:11:46) Why modern leaders can’t ignore social media
(00:14:54) The future of retail: a 5–10 year outlook
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Website: bernscommunications.com
• Website: thez-suite.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carly-berns-057b89bb
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviagmeyer
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 388: How Gen Z is transforming retail trends on Pinterest
• 385: Lessons from a young retail leader
As the winter season approaches, families across the country are stepping into the holidays with renewed enthusiasm — and retailers are preparing for one of the most meaningful shopping periods of the year. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen breaks down the latest holiday data, uncovers shopping trends and shares the heartfelt traditions that define how Americans celebrate this time of year.
From spending forecasts and toy trends to the influence of technology and the enduring magic of in-store discovery, this episode offers insights into what consumers value most — and why the holidays remain essential to so many.
(00:00:00) Holiday kickoff and early shopping myths
(00:07:38) What kids really want—and what toys are trending for 2025
(00:11:35) Where holiday gift inspiration really comes from
(00:16:41) The songs, foods, and flavors that define the holidays
(00:19:58) The traditions that make the holidays meaningful
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers
• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending
The wellness movement has gone global — and few companies embody that expansion better than iHerb. CEO Emun Zabihi explores how they’re transforming the way consumers access supplements and natural products worldwide. From humble beginnings in a Pasadena apartment to serving millions of customers in 180 countries, iHerb’s journey is a story of innovation, accessibility, and trust in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
(00:00:00) The rise of the trillion-dollar wellness economy
(00:08:57) Trends shaping the supplement industry
(00:13:25) Global reach and the fight against counterfeits
(00:18:35) The future of wellness and lessons in leadership
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Website: iherb.com
• Emun Zabihi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emun-zabihi
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 389: Purpose-driven retail: Stories of impact from leading brands
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of the retail landscape, and a new wave of agentic AI shoppers is changing how brands must think about data, experience and customer connection. Debra Langley, partner at CAPTIS Ventures, and Greg Merrill, president at Futura Fragua unpack the rapid rise of AI shopping agents and what this evolution means for the future of retail.
(00:00:00) A new era of retail innovation
(00:05:02) The rise of AI shopping agents
(00:10:08) Explaining AI shoppers to traditional retailers
(00:17:06) The promise and peril of AI
(00:20:00) Why human experience still matters
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• CAPTIS Ventures
• Futura Fragua
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 381: The innovators driving the future of retail
• 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers
Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a full-fledged season of fun, community and record-breaking retail activity. Today we’re joined by Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year and why this festive tradition continues to grow in cultural and economic significance.
(00:00:00) Turning homes into haunted experiences
(00:05:59) From one night to an entire season
(00:08:59) What consumers are buying this Halloween
(00:11:25) Costumes that define the season
(00:14:57) Why Halloween matters more than ever
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers
• 365: Halloween spending tricks, treats and trends
Matt Beall, Chairman and CEO of Bealls Inc., reflects on 110 years of family legacy, cultural evolution, and the future of off-price retail. As a fourth-generation leader, Matt offers a rare look inside the company’s long-standing commitment to both financial discipline and human-centered leadership — and how those values are shaping its future.
(00:00:00) Early memories and family pressure
(00:05:27) Seeing the store through the customer’s eyes
(00:08:05) The power of the off-price model
(00:14:25) Leading for people, not legacy
(00:16:31) The future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Website: beallsinc.com
• Matt Beall on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattbeallceo
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience
• 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
From its early beginnings as a digitally native disruptor to becoming a household name in eyewear, Warby Parker has consistently challenged conventions in retail. Sandy Gilsenan, Warby Parker’s chief retail and customer experience officer, explores how the company is reshaping the customer journey and redefining what it means to be an innovative retailer today.
(00:00:00) Gilsenan’s career path to Warby Parker
(00:05:08) The power of omnichannel retail
(00:07:43) Who is the Warby Parker customer?
(00:10:30) Staying innovative and looking ahead
(00:16:20) Harnessing AI to enhance retail
(00:20:30) Advice for the next generation of retailers
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 384: The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth
• 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future
Organizational success in retail ultimately comes down to people — finding the right talent, nurturing their growth and preparing them for the future. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine “Lo” Stomski and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie, discuss how retail leaders are reimagining talent acquisition, development and retention in a rapidly evolving industry.
(00:00:00) Walmart’s first Chief Talent Officer
(00:05:20) Why talent acquisition matters more than ever
(00:09:00) Changing perceptions of retail careers
(00:15:02) Building skills and pathways for career growth
(00:19:24) Proof points that change lives
(00:23:02) Talent strategies in uncertain times
(00:28:12) The future of talent acquisition and AI
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• NRF Foundation's RISE Up Program: nrffoundation.org/rise-up
• Walmart's Live Better U: corporate.walmart.com/about/working-at-walmart/live-better-u
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 351: The think tank for retail industry talent leaders
Cybersecurity has moved far beyond being just a technical issue — it is now a core business priority that directly impacts customer trust, operational resilience and the bottom line. We sit down with two industry leaders on the front lines of digital risk: Pam Lindemoen, chief security officer and vice president of strategy at the Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and Christian Beckner, vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity at the National Retail Federation. Together, they unpack the fast-changing cybersecurity landscape facing retailers today, from fraud and social engineering to the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
(00:00:00) Building a united front in retail cybersecurity
(00:04:41) Strengthening trust and evolving partnerships
(00:07:49) Rising threats in retail cybersecurity
(00:12:43) Investing in resilience and readiness
(00:16:51) Looking ahead: cooperation and global expansion
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 366: How to fight back against organized retail crime
• 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future
• 344: The future of AI in consumer experience
Purpose-driven retail is more than a trend — it’s reshaping industries, inspiring innovation and delivering tangible benefits to people and the planet. In this special compilation episode, Retail Gets Real revisits some of our most inspiring conversations with leaders who are using their businesses as forces for good. From rescuing food and reducing waste to building sustainable supply chains, uplifting communities and listening to the next generation, these stories highlight how value-driven strategies create lasting impact.
(00:00:00) Starbucks’ nationwide food rescue program
(00:03:52) Whole Foods’ approach to quality and accessibility
(00:06:59) IKEA’s full-circle sustainability strategy
(00:09:18) Kendra Scott’s model for fashion-driven philanthropy
(00:10:58) LEGO’s community-building through creativity
(00:13:20) Gen Z’s influence on the future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 386: Inside Starbucks’ commitment to thriving communities
• 379: Whole Foods’ holistic approach to merchandising and customer service
• 368: How IKEA innovates in sustainability and customer experience
• 346: How Kendra Scott delivers on a ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision
• 373: How LEGO builds community and embraces innovation
• 361: How Gen Z is redefining retail
Consumers turn to Pinterest for inspiration on everything from design and fashion to meal prep and so much more. Rachel Hardy, director of consumer product marketing for Pinterest, joins us to share how the brand captures such a wide and engaged audience. We explore the consumer outlook and emerging trends for 2025, including mobile spending, AI optimization and personalized shopping.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:26) Pinterest’s young and engaged audience
(00:03:04) Hardy’s career journey
(00:06:20) Emerging consumer behaviors
(00:12:16) Pinterest predicts 2025 trends
(00:15:11) Retail challenges and opportunities for 2025
(00:21:24) Hardy’s learnings and inspirations
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• pinterest.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Retail trends to watch in 2025
• What to know about the consumer in 2025
As the retail industry continues to evolve, understanding the broader economic landscape has never been more important. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, two of NRF’s top economic minds — Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews — join the podcast to break down what’s driving the U.S. economy, what to expect for the second half of 2025 and what it all means for retailers and consumers.
(00:00:00) Reflecting on 15 years of economic insight
(00:06:40) Forecasting through uncertainty
(00:08:16) The rise of AI and the future of retail
(00:09:47) The real impact of AI on retail and jobs
(00:12:46) Navigating a globalized retail economy
(00:18:45) Advice for students, book recs and a look back
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Data ‘Remains Strong’ But Public Policy Uncertainties ‘Blur the Economic Outlook’ for 2025
• NRF Chief Economist Says 2024 ‘Ended on a High Note’
• Economy Still Growing Despite Tariffs But ‘A Lot of People Have Recession on Their Minds’
Starbucks may be best known for coffee, but its community impact goes far deeper. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we’re joined by Kelly Goodejohn, vice president and chief social impact officer at Starbucks, to explore how the global brand is redefining what it means to serve communities — not just with beverages, but with bold action, local investment, and sustainability at scale.
(00:00:00) Leading with purpose at Starbucks
(00:04:09) How Starbucks turns food waste into community support
(00:06:55) Scaling FoodShare and setting the standard for others
(00:12:07) Finding purpose in retail and coffee culture
(00:15:27) The future of retail’s social impact
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Starbucks Hunger Relief: about.starbucks.com/hunger-relief
• The Starbucks Foundation: about.starbucks.com/the-starbucks-foundation
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• How digital transformation at Levi’s and Starbucks is improving customer experience
• How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
Meet one of the young leaders shaping the future of retail. Robert Davison Long was the 2022 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship top recipient and he is now the team manager for Gucci in Tysons Corner, Va.. He joins us to talk about his personal journey in retail, how to “romance a product” and the lessons C-suite executives can learn from up-and-coming retail professionals.
(00:00:00) Davison Long’s retail history
(00:04:44) Romancing the product
(00:06:02) Perspectives of a young leader
(00:13:13) Tools to support young professionals
(00:16:23) Davison Long’s favorite Gucci products
(00:17:38) How C-Suite executives can connect with young leaders
(00:20:33) Davison Long’s inspirations
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• gucci.com
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Championing Leaders in Retail
• NRF Foundation awards top scholarship to Columbia College Chicago junior
The story of Mack Weldon begins with a moment many men know all too well — standing in the underwear aisle, overwhelmed by choice and underwhelmed by experience. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Brian Berger, founder and CEO of Mack Weldon, shares how frustration as a consumer inspired him to reinvent men’s basics with a focus on smart design, technical innovation, and a radically improved shopping experience.
(00:00:00) The origin of Mack Weldon
(00:04:58) The story behind the brand name
(00:07:30) Growing the brand by knowing the customer
(00:12:44) Navigating the AI era as a retail founder
(00:19:53) Father’s Day picks and the future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Mack Weldon: mackweldon.com
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 336. Michelle Gass on leadership, taking risks and her vision for Levi’s
• 376. How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
• 367. How Kraft Heinz deploys omnichannel strategies across emerging global markets
• 349. How Arc’teryx is reaching new heights while staying loyal to its core customers
Small businesses power retail—they make up 98% of retailers in the country. Right now, small companies are grappling with economic and political uncertainty and facing an existential threat from tariffs. We talk to NRF vice president of advocacy and engagement Meghan Cruz about the devastating impact of tariffs and what NRF is doing to advocate for small businesses. Plus, we hear directly from small business owners who share their stories.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:57) How NRF advocates for small business owners
(00:05:33) The devastating impact of tariffs on small businesses
(00:07:27) Aaron Brown’s story
(00:08:58) Bob Jones’ story
(00:11:04) Lisa-Jae Eggert’s story
(00:12:23) Making an impact with policymakers
(00:16:41) Cruz’s message to small business owners
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get involved with the NRF Action Center
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 5 things to know about tariffs
• Small retailers react to threat of new tariffs
• Voter perspectives: 4 ways tariffs put small businesses at risk
Organized retail crime (ORC) is not a victimless crime — it can have a devastating impact on the real people behind retailers. Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney, joins us to discuss the fight against organized retail crime. We explore laws and initiatives to combat the insidious issue, plus what local businesses can do to protect themselves and their employees.
(00:00:54) Introductions
(00:01:41) Stephan’s Law Background
(00:03:41) The Human Price Of Organized Retail Crime
(00:09:10) The Reality Of Retail Crime
(00:13:13) Initiatives To Combat Organized Retail Crime
(00:22:01) The Role Of Local Businesses In Confronting Crime
(00:24:47) The Evolution Of Organized Retail Crime
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Learn more about NRF Protect
• Register for NRF Nexus at nrf.com/nexus and use code RGR20 for 20% off
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Retailers battle nearly $100 billion in shrink
• NRF’s FIght Retail Crime Day wins Reed Award for Best Lobby Day
• 3 ways to fight retail crime
Produced by Crate Media.
One thing is constant in retail: change. Innovation is the cornerstone of the industry. We’re joined by Seth Webb, executive vice president of Tusk Strategies, and Sucharita Kodali, vice president and principal analyst of Forrester Research, to discuss the transformative trends, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging solution providers that are shaping the future of retail. We explore generative and autonomous AI, robotics, resale, and more top-of-mind topics.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:42) Leaders in innovation and technology
(00:06:48) The most transformative trends for the retail industry
(00:09:15) AI’s profound impact on retail
(00:19:06) The role of robotics in retail
(00:23:00) What excites them about the future of retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• NRF 2025 Innovators Showcase
• Reverse Logistics Association
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• How the NRF 2025 Innovators Showcase can help you drive revenue and build crucial partnerships
• A snapshot into the latest retail tech breakthroughs
Produced by Crate Media.
Vera Bradley, the beloved purse, travel and accessory retailer, recently refreshed their brand look and strategy to increase brand awareness and expand their consumer profile. Vera Bradley’s CEO, Jackie Ardrey, joins us to discuss the brand’s transformation, the Vera Bradley customer and how the company stays ahead in the ever-evolving retail industry. She also shares what she loves most about working in retail and her impactful career advice.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:00:39) Highlights of the NRF Big Show
(00:01:39) Ardrey’s career background
(00:07:50) The pace of change in retail
(00:09:30) Vera Bradley’s transformation journey
(00:15:05) Balancing brand loyalty with an expanding customer base
(00:17:49) Facing the unpredictability of consumers
(00:21:39) Ardrey’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• verabradley.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• What to know about the consumer in 2025
Produced by Crate Media.
Whole Foods places its whole focus on serving and nourishing its shoppers. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Whole Foods Market, joins us to talk about how Whole Foods stays ahead of food trends, builds trust with its customers and leads the industry in high-quality sourcing. She also shares her career journey, what she loves most about working in merchandising and marketing, and her approach to problem-solving in the retail industry.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:31) Oblisk’s career journey
(00:05:45) Why Oblisk loves merchandising & marketing
(00:08:11) Getting to know the Whole Foods customer
(00:11:10) Leading in trends and quality control
(00:13:11) What’s next for Whole Foods in 2025
(00:19:45) Oblisk’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• wholefoodsmarket.com
• Find out more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 10 retail experiences you shouldn't miss in New York City
Coach is a visionary of visual storytelling and experiences. Giovanni Zaccariello, SVP of global visual experience for Coach, joins us to discuss the evolution of visual merchandising and how he tells Coach’s story to a global audience. He also shares the moment that changed his career trajectory and his advice for taking risks and following your gut.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:27) Zaccariello’s career journey
(00:07:17) The evolution of visual merchandising
(00:10:25) Telling the coach story
(00:13:55) Zaccariello’s proudest career moment
(00:19:09) Zaccariello’s lessons and future learnings
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• coach.com
• linkedin.com/in/giovannizaccariello
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• 10 retail experiences you shouldn’t miss in New York City
Consumers turn to Pinterest for inspiration on everything from design and fashion to meal prep and so much more. Rachel Hardy, director of consumer product marketing for Pinterest, joins us to share how the brand captures such a wide and engaged audience. We explore the consumer outlook and emerging trends for 2025, including mobile spending, AI optimization and personalized shopping.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:26) Pinterest’s young and engaged audience
(00:03:04) Hardy’s career journey
(00:06:20) Emerging consumer behaviors
(00:12:16) Pinterest predicts 2025 trends
(00:15:11) Retail challenges and opportunities for 2025
(00:21:24) Hardy’s learnings and inspirations
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• pinterest.com
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Retail trends to watch in 2025
• What to know about the consumer in 2025
Produced by Crate Media.
Target hits the bullseye when it comes to serving its customers. Rick Gomez, Target’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about Target’s winning merchandising strategy, his favorite consumer trends and how shopping habits have evolved in recent years. He also shares the biggest lessons he’s learned in his illustrious career.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:19) Gomez’s career journey
(00:06:18) His most challenging and rewarding moments
(00:08:58) The secrets behind Target’s magic merchandising
(00:12:51) Top retail trends
(00:15:04) Shifts in consumer shopping habits
(00:17:01) Gomez’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• target.com
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• How Target’s people-first culture and leadership programs are driving success
• Off-site retail marketing takes off
Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, joins us to explore the retail outlook, landscape and trends that are shaping 2025. We discuss how a new administration impacts retail and the economic policies NRF has its pulse on. Plus, Shay shares the best career advice he’s ever received.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:15) The changing retail landscape
(00:07:21) 2025 retail trends
(00:10:40) NRF’s priorities on policy
(00:15:26) Shay’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• NRF Management Team: Matthew Shay
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Why I believe in the power of retail jobs
• The state of retail heading into 2024
If you had a crystal ball to forecast retail’s future, what would you see? Coming to you from NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, we’re joined by Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing and events at WGSN, to tackle that question. We talk about emerging trends that may surprise you, ways to future-proof your business and how to get into the minds of young consumers. Plus, we learn new terms like “Zalphas” and “ping minimalism” that every retailer should know.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:16) Napoli’s career as a trend forecaster
(00:04:55) How to forecast trends
(00:08:24) Emerging trends for retailers to watch
(00:13:11) Embracing strategic joy
(00:15:06) The biggest trend no one is talking about
(00:19:55) The future of retail is tweens
(00:21:37) Napoli’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• wgsn.com/en
• Learn more about Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• What’s now, what’s next?: Future tech beyond AI
• Retail trends to watch in 2025
• Future trends that will shape consumer behavior and retail operations
LEGO is a timeless, cherished brand for kids and adults alike. In a very special episode from NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show, we’re joined by Martin Urrutia, head of Global Retail Experience and Innovation at LEGO. We talk about how LEGO continues to innovate while remaining true to its core values. We also explore the importance of brand storytelling, creating unique in-store experiences, and building community with consumers. Plus, Urrutia shares highlights from working for LEGO and his most impactful career advice.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:02:30) Urrutia’s career journey
(00:06:28) LEGO movies & TV shows
(00:08:08) Balancing innovation with timelessness
(00:10:12) Exciting innovations for 2025
(00:16:39) Urrutia’s career advice & leadership philosophy
(00:20:30) Building community with LEGO
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• lego.com
• ideas.lego.com
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
We’re ringing in the new year with new retail predictions. In one of our most popular annual episodes, NRF Vice President of Education Strategy Susan Reda joins us to forecast 2025’s most impactful and exciting retail trends. From innovative AI agents, to the rise of live shopping, to the rebirth of brick and mortar stores, the future of retail is bright.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:48) How Reda makes her predictions
(00:03:14) How AI agents will shape 2025
(00:08:51) The future of live shopping & social commerce
(00:13:08) The rebirth of retail stores
(00:17:17) The influence Of Gen Z & Alphas
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• 25 predictions for the retail industry in 2025
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• AI and beyond: Retail trends to watch in 2024
• What can AI do for retailers and customers?
• 7 trends revealed at NRF Nexus
Produced by Crate Media.
Big things are coming at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York City Jan. 12-14. Jill Dvorak, NRF senior vice president of content, joins us to preview the show. She shares key themes and exciting speakers, tips for attendees, plus her favorite show memories.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:54) Jill’s best Big Show memories
(00:04:42) Industry game changers
(00:06:18) What attendees need to know about the Big Show
(00:09:32) Previewing themes & speakers
(00:17:21) What Jill is looking forward to
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• NRF Names Jill Dvorak as New Senior Vice President of Content
Produced by Crate Media.
Steven Tristan Young, Poshmark’s chief marketing officer, joins us to chat about how Poshmark is revolutionizing resale with live shopping experiences, AI technology and sustainable gifting. We also chat about Poshmark’s multichannel marketing strategies and Young’s passion for marketing. Plus, he shares details of his career journey and the best leadership lessons he’s ever learned.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:17) Young’s career journey
(00:05:28) The Poshmark customer
(00:07:38) The journey of buying and selling on Poshmark
(00:10:19) Poshmark’s stack of marketing strategies
(00:11:46) The live shopping experience
(00:15:03) Poshmark’s vision for AI
(00:17:13) Holiday shopping trends and sustainable gifting
(00:21:29) Authenticating resale products
(00:23:19) Young’s leadership lessons
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• poshmark.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Retailers stay ahead as GenAI transforms the industry
• 2024 Holiday Spending Expected to Reach New Record
Consumers have been gobbling up Butterball turkey for decades, and they’re thankful for the company’s connection to its customers. Al Jansen, Butterball’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, joins us to talk about Thanksgiving traditions, the famous Turkey Talk-Line and sharing holiday stories. Food brings people together — and this episode brings together the best of retail, family and fun.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:02:45) The Butterball Team
(00:04:06) Butterball’s core value of togetherness
(00:08:33) Talking about the Turkey Talk-Line
(00:14:17) The joys & challenges of marketing
(00:16:50) Al’s best career advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• butterball.com
• storycorps.org
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Inside the 2024 holiday trends that will impact retail in 2025
Produced by Crate Media.
Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer at IKEA U.S., shares his 25-year career journey at the company, what he loves most about his job and how he stays current in the ever-evolving retail industry. We also talk about IKEA’s commitment to sustainability and how it’s good business to be a good business.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:42) Quiñones’ career journey
(00:05:06) IKEA’s commitment to sustainability
(00:14:46) What Quiñones loves most about his job
(00:20:59) Creating a core IKEA experience across the globe
(00:23:26) Staying current in an ever-evolving industry
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• ikea.com/us/en
• NRF2025: Retail’s Big Show: nrfbigshow.nrf.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• NRF Foundation Announces The List Of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2025
• Goldman Sachs Chairman & CEO to Speak at Retail’s Big Show
• Creating a circular retail economy
Cory Onell, executive vice president and chief omnichannel sales and Asian emerging markets officer at Kraft Heinz, talks about how his company adapts and innovates omnichannel strategies for different global markets. He also shares his four-pronged leadership approach, his perspective on work-life balance and the advice that shaped his career.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:46) Cory’s Career Journey
(00:05:06) The Omnichannel Approach In Emerging Markets
(00:09:46) Kraft Heinz’s Online Presence
(00:13:28) The Essential Impact Of The Food Industry
(00:15:27) Cory’s Approach To Leadership
(00:18:15) Finding Work-Life Balance
(00:22:38) Cory’s Career Advice
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• kraftheinzcompany.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Top 3 retail trends driving industry transformation in 2024
• A snapshot into the latest retail tech breakthroughs
Produced by Crate Media.
Organized retail crime is an issue that plagues retailers — and offenders are only getting more sophisticated. Representative Glenn Ivey, D-Md., and Angela Hofmann, head of government relations for JCPenney, explain what organized retail crime really means and how it’s evolved over the years. Plus, we discuss the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and how it's counteracting this insidious trend.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:25) What Is Organized Retail Crime?
(00:06:02) The Evolution Of Organized Retail Crime
(00:09:30) Introducing The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act
(00:12:46) Social Media Awareness Of ORC
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• ivey.house.gov
• jcpenney.com
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Join the movement to combat retail crime
• Thank You, Retail Crime Fighters
It’s spooky season, and here’s the real treat — Halloween spending is projected to hit nearly $12 billion. Katherine Cullen, NRF's vice president of industry and consumer insights, talks about Halloween spending trends, popular costumes, why consumers are shopping early and who is most excited to celebrate this October. Plus, a look at expected winter holiday consumer spending.
(00:00:38) Introductions
(00:02:45) Why People Shop Early
(00:04:39) Halloween Spending Projections
(00:07:28) The Year’s Most Popular Costumes
(00:09:21) Where Consumers Are Shopping
(00:10:49) Who Is Halloween For?
(00:12:31) Early Predictions For The Holiday Season
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• Consumer Trends in Halloween Shopping and Celebration
• Halloween Spending to Reach Record $12.2 Billion As Participation Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels
• Nearly Half of Halloween Shoppers to Start Purchasing Items Before October
Anjana Harve serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, where she leads technology innovation at the high-frequency club store. In this episode, Harve joins us to talk about the BJ’s member experience, how the company is leveraging AI, her personal career journey and what’s on the horizon for tech and retail.
(00:00:00) Introductions
(00:01:28) Anjana’s Career Journey
(00:05:45) The Membership Model
(00:08:27) How BJ’s Is Leveraging AI
(00:16:10) Women’s Representation In STEM Leadership Roles
(00:21:00) What’s Next For BJ’s?
(00:25:04) Anjana’s Career Advice
(00:26:44) The Exciting Future Of Tech And Retail
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.
Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.
Resources:
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
Related:
• BJ’s Chris Baldwin on what keeps this CEO up at night
• NRF Retail Leadership Series: Chris Baldwin, Executive Chairman, BJ's Wholesale Club
• Value, partnership and peanut M&M’s: BJ’s Wholesale Club aligns with Mars
Produced by Crate Media.
Embracing technology and innovation is key for global active lifestyle brand Fabletics. Chief Operating Officer Meera Bhatia shares how she is driving digital advances at Fabletics, her extraordinary career journey in tech and how AI can be used across functions.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Homefield is a collegiate apparel company specializing in vintage-inspired designs that offers licensed t-shirts, fleece, jackets and headwear from more than 200 universities. We talk to Co-founder and CEO Connor Hitchcock about how he started Homefield at age 23, why he doesn’t follow the usual marketing playbook, how the company creates unique customer experiences and his plans for future growth.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Born between 1998 and 2012, Generation Z is estimated to encompass more than 2 billion people worldwide and are the first group of consumers to be born entirely within the digital age. Rachel Bonsignore, vice president of NIQ Consumer Life, answers our questions about Gen Z consumers: how they differ from other generations and what retailers can do to connect with this group.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 346: Kendra Scott started her eponymous jewelry company in Austin, Texas, 22 years ago with a clear vision in place: to create a fashion-for-philanthropy business. In this episode, Kendra Scott CEO Tom Nolan talks about his first Kendra Cares event, his extraordinary career journey and why he took a role in leading the business.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 314: LePrix co-founder and CMO Emily Erkel shares how she took the leap to start her own business, the importance of authentication in luxury resale and her focus on smart growth.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 340: Live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City—Caleb Pearson, VP of US customer engagement at McDonald's, talks about his career journey, McDonald's extremely popular app and how McDonald's uses digital strategies to keep customers of all generations coming back.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The increase in both the severity and the unpredictable nature of weather has significant ramifications for retailers on multiple fronts, including sales, infrastructure and supply chains. Evan Gold, executive vice president, global partnerships and alliances at business weather intelligence firm Planalytics, shares findings from NRF and Planalytics’ most recent report, “Climate-Proofing Retail.” We’ll also discuss the practical steps individual companies can take to manage the related opportunities and risks.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Solo Brands is a leading outdoor lifestyle company offering innovative products designed to bring people together and make memories. We talk to Michael McGoohan, chief growth officer at Solo Brands and president of Solo Stove, about his career background spanning multiple industries, his new position at Solo Brands and what growth will look like for the group of outdoor lifestyle brands. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The first-ever Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific 2024 successfully wrapped up in Singapore with stellar attendance and a resounding impact on the future of retail. Martine Reardon, senior advisor for retail insights and content creation for NRF, discusses the exciting inaugural event, key insights from the programming, and what she’s looking forward to when NRF hosts an even bigger Big Show APAC next year, June 3-5, 2025.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
It is estimated that by 2028, the global secondhand market will reach $350 billion. ThredUp co-founder and CEO James Reinhart talks about the rising demand for resale, the outlook for the secondhand industry in America and around the world, and his uniquely formed approach to leadership.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Kate Ancketill, CEO and founder of GDR Creative Intelligence, talks about the current trends in technologies impacting retail, the impressive pace of innovation in the industry, and what gives her hope for the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 326: As SVP of Leadership & Organizational Development, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and Community Impact for Burlington Stores, Mecca Mitchell leads efforts to cultivate a culture that leverages diversity, inclusion and equity best practices to drive business objectives, while responding to the diverse needs of its workforce, its customers, and the community. We’re talking to Mecca about her unconventional career journey, creating inclusive communities and leading with passion and authenticity.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
We talk to Adam Lukoskie, SVP and Foundation Executive Director of the National Retail Federation, about current topics and trends in talent acquisition—delving into best practices, new ideas and how retailers are investing in talent for the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 328: Crocs SVP and CMO Heidi Cooley shares how she got into retail, how Crocs connects with consumers everywhere, and the strategies she and her team used to make Crocs one of the most popular brands in footwear.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
With a lifelong love of mountain and alpine sports, and over 20 years of global experience in retail and vertical premium brands, Stuart Haselden says leading high-performance outerwear company Arc’teryx is a “dream job.” On this episode, Haselden talks about how he went from an Army officer to retail CEO, his lessons in leadership and how he has helped guide the wholesale, niche company into a global, vertical brand.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Ikea is on track to cut its pollution by half by 2030, and thanks to responsible sourcing and energy efficiency improvements, it has already reduced its climate footprint by 22% since 2016. On today’s show, Mardi Ditze, country sustainability manager for Ikea U.S., talks about her passion for environmental stewardship, Ikea’s impressive sustainability efforts and goals, and the role of retail in the circular economy.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
It’s graduation season and all across the country, students are transitioning from college students to young professionals. We’re talking to two young retail leaders — Courtney Nash, manager of footwear planning at Allbirds, and Eugene Choi, ecommerce merchandising manager at Munchkin — about what it’s like to start their first jobs in retail, the early lessons they’ve learned along the way, and their best advice for graduating seniors navigating their next steps.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Kendra Scott started her eponymous jewelry company in Austin, Texas, 22 years ago with a clear vision in place: to create a fashion-for-philanthropy business. Today, CEO Tom Nolan continues to honor that vision while leading the company to even greater growth and revenues. On today’s show, Nolan talks about how he started his career in classified ad sales, the future of Kendra Scott and how philanthropy is at the heart of everything the brand does.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
NRF’s America’s Retail Champions program celebrates small retailers who are exceptional champions for retail and the communities they serve. On today’s show, we’re celebrating NRF’s 2022 Retail Champion Margaret Barrow, founder and CEO of It’s NOLA. Barrow talks about starting her plant-based snack company, the impact of mentoring and why she thinks it’s important to advocate for small businesses.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
NRF’s America’s Retail Champions program celebrates small retailers who are exceptional champions for retail and the communities they serve. On today’s show, we’re celebrating NRF’s 2022 Retail Champion Margaret Barrow, founder and CEO of It’s NOLA. Barrow talks about starting her plant-based snack company, the impact of mentoring and why she thinks it’s important to advocate for small businesses.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and as consumers become more and more comfortable with generative AI, retailers will have to find new and innovative ways to reach shoppers. Jane Cheung, global research leader, consumer industry, IBM Institute for Business Value, joins the show to talk about IBM’s 2024 consumer study, how she got into consumer research and how AI can help improve the experience for both customers and retailers.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
With 100 stores in the United States and Canada, 4 million loyalty program members and a robust online platform, Saks OFF 5TH continues to reimagine traditional off-price retail with a digital-first model focused on delivering a superior customer experience. On today’s show, President and CEO Rob Brooks discusses his career in retail, his leadership style and what’s next for the company.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
In honor of Women's History Month, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations with inspiring and trailblazing women in retail. From how to champion diversity to great career advice and how to grow as a leader, we've highlighted these insights worth resharing from some of retail's smartest people:
• Michelle Gass, CEO, Levi Strauss & Co (#336) • Jennifer Gandia, Co-owner, Greenwich St. Jewelers (#320) • Prama Bhatt, Chief Digital Officer, Ulta Beauty (#321) • Heidi Cooley, Chief Marketing Officer, Crocs (#328) • Megan Crozer, Executive Vice President & Chief Merchant, Sam's Club (#309) • Mecca Mitchell, Senior VP & Chief DEI Officer, Burlington Stores (#326) • Christiane Pendarvis, Co-CEO, Pattern Beauty (#297) • Theresa Lee, Vice President, HR Talent, Culture, and Strategy, PetSmart (#338)
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Despite the holiday falling in late March this year, consumer spending this Easter is expected to reach a total of $22.4 billion, according to NRF’s annual survey — the second highest in the survey’s history. On today’s show, Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at NRF, shares insights from NRF’s latest Easter data, including the top categories and activities consumers are indulging in this holiday season.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City—Caleb Pearson, VP of US customer engagement at McDonald's, talks about his career journey, McDonald's extremely popular app and how McDonald's uses digital strategies to keep customers of all generations coming back.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Made By Gather designs and manufactures kitchenware for a modern generation of makers with premium design, innovative functionality and headline-grabbing collaborations. On today’s show, recorded live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Made By Gather’s founder and CEO Shae Hong joins us to talk about his entrepreneurial career path, the philosophy behind his portfolio of kitchenware brands and his exciting partnership with Drew Barrymore.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
PetSmart recently rolled out its new employee-focused communications app, called Central Bark, to give associates a place to share ideas, collaborate, ask questions and troubleshoot. On today’s show, recorded live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City, PetSmart’s Vice President, HR Talent, Culture, and Strategy Theresa Lee joins us to talk about the company’s unique culture and how PetSmart has successfully revamped the front-line experience for its 50,000+ associates.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
American lifestyle retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is in the midst of an enterprise-wide digital transformation. On today’s show, recorded live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City, A&F Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer Samir Desai joins us to talk about A&F’s new digital strategy and the future of retail technology.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Today’s guest has recently taken the reins at one of the world’s most iconic apparel brands. Michelle Gass, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., joins the show live from NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show in New York City to talk about her incredible career journey, forward-looking vision for the company and what the future of retail looks like.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Monica + Andy was born in a delivery room, not a boardroom. As Monica Royer held her newborn daughter in her arms, she wanted nothing more than complete confidence that what touched her baby’s skin was the softest, safest fabric available. On today’s episode, Monica Royer, co-founder and CEO of Monica + Andy, joins the show live from the NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City to talk about her incredible career journey, growing her organic baby clothing and accessories brand, partnering with Walmart and what the future of retail looks like.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Today’s luxury consumer market is growing with a vibrant continuum of shoppers who expect expertly curated fashions and highly personalized service. On today’s episode, Saks CEO Marc Metrick joins us during NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show to talk about Saks’ strategy to build lasting and meaningful customer relationships, and the company’s goal to evolve the luxury experience for today’s online luxury shopper.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
In her 14 years with Walmart, Anshu Bhardwaj, vice president and COO of Walmart Global Technology, has seen the global retailer go through three different transformations to become the technology leader that it is today. Live from NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Bhardwaj joins host Bill Thorne to talk about those transformations, explain why the retailer is actually 17 technology companies rolled into one, and share how Walmart is using emerging technologies to help every generation of shopper save money and live better.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Coming to you live from NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show in New York City, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay joins the podcast to talk about how the retail industry fared this holiday season, the current retail landscape and what to expect looking ahead into 2024.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
More than 200 million people shopped online and in stores over the holidays, but will that spirited spending carry over into 2024? On today’s show, Susan Reda, NRF’s vice president of education strategy, digs into insights and retail trends for 2024 and gives a preview of what's in store at Retail’s Big Show in New York City next week. Read Reda’s full 2024 retail trends forecast.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
More than 40,000 retailers of all kinds are getting ready to come together in New York City’s Javits Center for NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show on Jan. 14-16. On today’s special episode, we’re talking to NRF’s Susan Newman and Eric Olson about what attendees can expect to see, hear and do at the event.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
NRF expects spending to reach record highs this holiday season, hitting $957 billion. What are gift-givers buying, where are they shopping, and what is motivating them to buy? To get us in the holiday spirit, we're talking to Katherine Cullen, NRF’s vice president of industry and consumer insights, to learn more about what’s driving this year’s winter holiday spending trends.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As recently as 2016, the No. 3 Google search trend for Crocs was ‘Crocs memes’ — memes to make fun of the not-yet-cool clog. Today, Crocs is an iconic, global footwear brand garnering partnerships with Balenciaga, Bad Bunny and Takashi Murakami. On today’s episode, we’re talking to Crocs SVP and CMO Heidi Cooley about how she got into retail, how Crocs connects with consumers everywhere, and the strategies she and her team used to make Crocs one of the most popular footwear brands on this planet, and maybe across the metaverse.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Today on Retail Gets Real, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jungmin Kang, teen entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Snoopslimes. She's also one of the dynamic leaders on NRF’s list of people shaping retail's future in 2024. We talk to Jungmin about starting her popular slime toy business at only 13 years of age, the massive role social media has played in her company's growth and the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As senior vice president of leadership and organizational development, DEI and community impact for Burlington Stores Inc., Mecca Mitchell leads efforts to create supportive and equitable institutional structures, foster welcoming and inclusive environments that promote growth and development, and cultivate a culture that leverages diversity, inclusion and equity best practices to drive business objectives, while responding to the diverse needs of its workforce, its customers, and the community. On today’s episode, we’re talking to Mecca about her unconventional career journey and leading with passion and authenticity.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
We talk to David Johnston, NRF’s VP of Asset Protection & Retail Operations, about an issue that’s impossible to ignore: organized retail crime. In recapping Fight Retail Crime Day, David explains how the issue continues to impact retailers and how brands are advocating for meaningful action.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Retail Gets Real episode 324: Tony Sciarrotta, executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association, talks about where our returns go, how reverse logistics fits into the circular economy, and what retailers need to know about this increasingly important area of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
J.C. Penney is in the midst of a major transformation, with a plan to spend more than $1 billion by the end of 2025 to revive the 121-year-old chain. On this episode, we’re speaking with Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer Michelle Wlazlo about the department store’s historic $1 billion reinvestment project, the evolution and debut of several private labels and exclusive partnerships, and what’s ahead for the holiday season.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Small business consultant, boutique co-owner and podcaster Kathy Cruz is already a very busy woman. But recently, she added retail advocate to her title. This summer, Kathy flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress in support of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance credit card competition and choice in order to reduce excessive credit card fees. On this episode, NRF’s Senior Director of Grassroots Meghan Keivel Cruz talks to Kathy about her growing business, supporting her fellow business owners and why she’s passionate about the retail industry.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Ulta Beauty has been reinventing beauty retail since opening its first five “beauty destination” stores in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1990. More recently, the company has focused on transforming the customer experience digitally and online. In this episode, NRF’s Susan Reda speaks with Chief Digital Officer Prama Bhatt about her career journey, how the beauty retail brand has used digital tools to continue to innovate and personalize the customer experience, and what’s next in experiential shopping.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Greenwich St. Jewelers has been a Manhattan mainstay for almost 50 years, providing customers with superlative service and luxury without pretension. Founded by Puerto Rican immigrants, the family business has overcome obstacles including 9/11, the financial crisis and the pandemic. On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jennifer Gandia, co-owner of the family business she runs with her sister, about the process behind rebranding a legacy brand while maintaining its heritage and growing from a traditional bricks-and-mortar store to an omnichannel business.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion, according to NRF’s annual survey, and a record number of people (73%) will participate in Halloween-related activities this year, up from 69% in 2022. To get us in the Halloween spirit, we’re talking to Katherine Cullen, NRF’s vice president of industry and consumer insights, for insights into what’s driving Halloween spending trends and factors that might impact winter holiday spending.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Untuckit was born when Chris Riccobono couldn’t find a shirt that looked good when he wore it untucked. Riccobono founded the American casual men’s apparel company in 2010; today the brand is about to sell its 12 millionth shirt. Now Riccobono has launched a new venture: Greatness Wins was created as a response to Riccobono’s dissatisfaction with athletic and performance wear. Chris joins us to talk about his entrepreneurial background, the growth strategies for his two brands, the importance of stores and his advice for young entrepreneurs and retailers.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
If the adage “All politics are local” is true, then state retail association executives really are the first line of defense for retail public policy and government relations activity in state capitols across the nation. On today’s special episode, recorded live at the Council of State Retail Associations meeting, three state retail association executives, including Gordon M. Gough of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Rachel Michelin of the California Retailers Association and Scott Shalley of the Florida Retail Federation, talk about the important role state retail associations play in state legislatures and local government, what SRA executives are doing on the issues of organized retail crime and credit card swipe fees, and how they draw on their membership to build relationships with policymakers that create impact.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As Congress returns from August recess, it will be considering policies that could have a profound impact on retailers, their employees and their communities. David French, NRF’s senior vice president of government relations, returns to the show to provide an update on important policy issues and legislation currently making its way through Congress, including bills to fight organized retail crime and tame excessive credit card swipe fees, as well as the prospects of immigration reform and the looming threat of a potential government shutdown. Get involved at nrf.com/takeaction.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
For 46 years, The Vitamin Shoppe has been helping customers be their best selves, however they define it. Innovation and technology have played a major role in the company’s growth, and on today’s episode, Andrew Laudato, EVP and COO of The Vitamin Shoppe, talks about that growth and adding stores through franchises, today’s definition of omnichannel and why technology is just a tool for creating better customer experiences.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Emily Erkel, Co-Founder and CMO and LePrix, talks about her latest observations of the resale landscape, starting and evolving her unique business for today's demands, her team's focus for the coming year and what the future of retail really looks like.
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Back-to-school spending is expected to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion, up from $36.9 billion last year; back-to-college spending is expected to hit $94 billion, about $20 billion more than last year’s record. On today’s show, Rachel Bonsignore, vice president of GfK Consumer Life, talks about what’s driving back-to-class shopping this season, how Generation Alpha’s Millennial parents are being influenced, and what’s motivating consumer behavior among the generations. Dig into the data at nrf.com/backtoschool.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 281: Christopher Thomas-Moore, senior vice president of customer and store experiences at Domino’s, joins the show to discuss his career journey, how the company leads when it comes to innovation, and the future of the quick service restaurant industry.
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On today’s show, Nasrin Mostafazadeh, co-founder of AI company Verneek, talks about building AI platforms for retailers to enhance the customer experience, puts the current AI buzz into context, and discusses the real threats and opportunities the technology represents.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
ThirdLove is known for marketing body positivity and offering size-inclusive bras, including half-cup sizes. On today’s episode, we’re talking to ThirdLove co-founder and CEO Heidi Zak. We’ll hear about what led her to start the company back in 2013, how the brand connects with today’s customers and ThirdLove’s recent expansion into bricks-and-mortar locations.
Zak also shares how inclusion and diversity values help shape the business and discusses the impact of the TL Effect – an initiative to support entrepreneurial women of color.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
On today’s episode, we’re talking to Sam’s Club Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant Megan Crozier. We’ll discuss how Crozier’s team decides what makes its way onto Sam’s Club shelves, her 20-year career journey starting as an engineer at a Walmart distribution center in Temple, Texas, and leading through a time of accelerated change.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
M.M.LaFleur is not a women’s workwear business — founder and CEO Sarah LaFleur says it’s a company that supports working women. LaFleur talks about the distinction on today’s show, as well as the brand’s bricks-and-mortar strategy, how women are dressing for work in a post-pandemic world, what it means to “lead from the front” and her biggest style inspiration.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Retail security has moved from physical security to loss prevention to asset protection. Now it’s at the enterprise risk management phase, according to David Johnston, NRF’s vice president of asset protection and retail operations. On today’s show, Johnston dives into current priorities and challenges in the retail loss prevention and asset protection community, including growing concerns about organized retail crime. He also shares more about what to expect at this summer’s NRF PROTECT event for loss prevention and cyber risk professionals.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
On today’s show, Addison Bay founder and CEO Marguerite Adzick talks about starting the women’s activewear business, the company’s growth and culture, and her advice for other entrepreneurs.
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Today’s episode is all about change and evolution: Overstock.com CEO Jonathan Johnson talks about his personal career shift from corporate lawyer to ecommerce CEO, as well as Overstock’s recent transition from a general merchandise retailer to focus solely on home furnishings and how it stands out among other online furniture retailers.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The Port of Los Angeles (combined with Long Beach) handles about one-third of all container traffic in the United States and operated at 120% capacity during the pandemic. On today’s show, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, joins NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to share some of the supply chain lessons learned during the pandemic, the importance of collaboration and early planning, and what the coming year will bring for the retail industry.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Retail veteran and consultant Steve Dennis talks about his career journey, why we should move on from omnichannel thinking, and what it takes to win as the pace of disruption continues to accelerate.
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Chris Hardisty started his career in semiconductors before becoming an ecommerce and digital retail leader for brands including Timberland, Clarks and Puma. But he recently hung up his shoes to become a consultant and interim senior vice president for jewelry brand Kendra Scott. On today’s show, Hardisty talks about his career in retail, how Kendra Scott has grown into a billion-dollar business and where it’s headed in 2023
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom Inc., Pete Nordstrom oversees all the aspects of the luxury retailer’s merchandising and supply chain. Nordstrom joins the show this week to talk about growing up in the family business, what it takes to stay current in a fast-changing industry and what's ahead for Nordstrom in 2023. We'll also get the scoop on his own podcast, The Nordy Pod.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As Retail Gets Real celebrates a milestone 300th episode, we are joined by John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. and chairman of the NRF Board of Directors, who talks about his 30-year career journey at Walmart from part-timer to CEO, his approach to leadership and risk-taking, and what the retail giant will focus on in 2023.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
How does a 62-year-old jewelry and accessories company keep up with changing tastes and trends? On this episode of Retail Gets Real, we sit down with Claire’s CMO Kristin Patrick to talk about the global brand that has pierced millions, how Patrick has redefined the brand for a new generation and how it is reaching “Gen Z-Alpha” in the metaverse.
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Pet adoptions surged during the pandemic and when new pet parents needed supplies and care for those pets, they turned to retailers like Petco. On this episode, Petco’s Ron Coughlin discusses his decision to take the CEO position, the brand’s transformational journey to a health and wellness company, and the pandemic’s impact on the pet industry.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
On this special episode of Retail Gets Real recorded at NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show, we talk to Christiane Pendarvis, co-president/chief merchandising and design officer for Savage X Fenty, about her career journey, how the brand is disrupting the intimate apparel industry, the drive to increase inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry and what it’s like to work for Rihanna.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
On this special episode of the Retail Gets Real podcast recorded live at the NRF Foundation Student Program, Katherine Cullen, senior director of industry and consumer insights at NRF, talks about the latest consumer insights, including the recent holiday shopping season and what to expect from consumers in 2023. She also takes audience questions from students participating in the event.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Recorded from NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show in New York City: Andrea Bell, vice president of Consumer Insights at WGSN, dives into the latest consumer research on what the future of retail looks like, trends that retailers need to be aware of and how to plan for the unknown. From the rise of the “polycrisis” era to synthetic creativity, retailers are looking for ways to future-proof their businesses and navigate global risks.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
From small concept stores to the metaverse and Web3, retail is all about change and adaptation. On today’s show, Susan Reda, NRF’s VP of education strategy digs into the insights and retail trends for 2023 and explains why drones, robotics and Generation Alpha are shaping the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, discusses the outlook for retail in 2023, key policy issues for the industry and the ongoing impact of inflation and new technologies. He also previews the upcoming Big Show and provides sage career advice from his varied and accomplished career.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Evan Gold, executive vice president of global partnerships and alliances at Planalytics. Gold discusses his career path from Macy’s to weather data analytics, how weather and geography impacts consumers and how they shop, especially during the holiday season, and what retailers can do to be prepared for Mother Nature heading into 2023.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Barbara Connors knows her stuff. As Vice President of Strategy & Acceleration at 84.51˚ , she stewards the largest transaction-based grocery data asset in the country to uncover hyper-targeted shopper insights which inform Kroger’s blended marketing/merchandising strategy.
Her work weaves retail data and consumer science in a form of retail storytelling that opens the door for innovation and improvement.
In this episode, she reads the numbers to predict shopper trends into the holiday season and comment on movements her team has identified both since the start of the pandemic and since restrictions have been pulled back. We also touch on the ongoing evolution of the omnichannel shopper and how inflation has changed the consumer mindset.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Kelly Cook, chief marketing and IT officer for David’s Bridal, talks us through her background in retail before landing at David’s and how the forward-thinking brand is staying fresh and relevant with an expanded TikTok strategy. We also learn how Cook’s team leverages live shopping events with social media influencers and stays on-trend with the latest in bridal fashions and weddings – like colored gowns, grandparent ring bearers and gender-fluid bridal parties.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Shawn Nelson was just out of high school when he designed and produced the first LoveSac. Nearly 25 years later, it’s the fastest-growing furniture brand of the last decade and has reinvented the couch, the living room and even all of retail – forever. He takes us through the company’s journey into physical retail (and right back out) and how it weathered the pandemic with sustained momentum. We also get his take on the modern showroom, once a dirty word, and how LoveSac presents its physical spaces, not as transaction hubs, but as vibe centers that demonstrate the brand’s culture and forward-thinking mentality.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Babies need a lot of stuff, which is why expectant parents spend 40 hours on average building out their baby registry. On today’s show, Lee Anne Grant, Chief Growth Officer at Babylist, discusses her career path from babysitter to Babylist, how the company uses TikTok and the metaverse to meet their consumers where they are, and the evolution of Babylist into the leading vertical marketplace and commerce destination for baby.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Halloween is one of Party City’s biggest seasons and is a huge undertaking that includes hiring and training 20,000 new seasonal employees and sourcing costumes and décor more than a year in advance. On today’s show, Odette Welling, vice president of merchandising — and the self-confessed “Halloween queen” at Party City — talks all things Halloween, including the retailer’s most popular costumes for kids, adults, teens and pets.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Ikea’s latest cutting-edge technology allows customers to visualize Ikea products in their own homes. On today’s show, Thomas Fenrich, VP of digital product U.S., talks about Ikea Kreativ, a new technology that combines decades of Ikea life-at-home expertise with the latest developments in spatial computing, machine learning and 3D mixed reality technologies.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Ikea’s latest cutting-edge technology allows customers to visualize Ikea products in their own homes. On today’s show, Thomas Fenrich, VP of digital product U.S., talks about Ikea Kreativ, a new technology that combines decades of Ikea life-at-home expertise with the latest developments in spatial computing, machine learning and 3D mixed reality technologies.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Just skimming the headlines reveals the dichotomy of today’s economy – consumers are still spending, despite worries about inflation and increased costs for food and fuel. Armed with PwC’s latest consumer survey, partner and U.S. retail leader Kelly Pederson joins the show to talk about consumer resiliency, how retailers are handling inventory and pricing, and which consumers will be spending the most this holiday season.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Calvin Quallis is all about helping men look good and feel good. As the founder and CEO of Scotch Porter, Quallis has taken his men’s grooming and skincare brand from a kitchen experiment to the shelves of CVS, Target and Walmart. On this episode, Quallis dives into how he started and scaled his brand, the evolution of the male consumer and providing access, opportunity and employment to other people of color.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Zach Freeze, senior director for sustainability at Walmart, discusses Walmart's approach to climate and its evolving sustainability efforts, and what it's like to lead them as part of one of the largest and most influential retailers in the world.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Jill Thomas is the CMO of PGA TOUR Superstore. The company, and the sport, have both seen a recent surge of growth due to COVID-19 and golf’s unique position as an outdoor activity that is social distancing-friendly and connection fostering.
A large part of Jill’s goal is to continue fostering growth in the sport and attracting people from diverse backgrounds to it. One of their primary channels for that growth is through the retail store. Creating an inclusive environment that is welcoming to avid golfers and curious newcomers alike is what Jill sees as the company’s path to future growth.
Another big facet of Jill’s role is diversity. For too long, women have played a minimized role in both the business world and the sport of golf. Through its store culture, PGA TOUR Superstores hopes to make all customers feel welcome.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about how PGA TOUR Superstores is expanding the world of golf to a broader audience and impacting not only the future of retail but of the sport as well.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Christopher Thomas-Moore, SVP, Customer & Store Experience, Domino’s, joins the shows today to add an, at times, overlooked perspective to the retail conversation – food, and specifically, food delivery. As he recounts in this episode, Domino’s is known far and wide as a leader in the pizza delivery space, but it has been technology and a commitment to customer experience that have allowed the brand to stay at the top.
We talk about their famous Domino's Tracker® that changed the industry forever, discuss how the company managed through COVID’s harshest periods and decipher the difference between brand partnerships that don’t make sense and those that do, like this year’s exciting Stranger Things collaboration.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
NRF’s summer interns are about to return to college. Before heading back, we asked them about their work experience and how their perspectives on retail changed after working at NRF. Bill Thorne sits down with three bright students, Juliana Sailing, Miguel Gomez and Ashton Wiggins, to talk about the lessons they’ve learned along the way, what they’re looking for in a potential employer, and the impact of seeing the ins and outs of retail advocacy.
As the retail industry looks to attract new talent into the workforce, these voices offer a glimpse of the future and the promise it holds for positive change and the ability for young people to make a meaningful impact.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Martin Gilliard, Head of Meta Store, joins the show to chat about why Meta opened a physical store, what the store is designed to do and what retailers need to know about emerging opportunities in the metaverse.
Gilliard describes the Meta store as a physical space designed to mimic a living room, where consumers can try out the devices such as the Oculus VR headsets, Portal video call devices and RayBan-partnered smart glasses that can enable them to have experiences in the metaverse. Gillard describes how customers have responded to the experiences in the store so far and how retailers should be thinking about the metaverse.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Chandra Holt, CEO of Conn's HomePlus, has learned the retail ropes from the inside, with an impressive resume that includes powerhouse retailers like Walgreens, Target, Sam’s Club and most recently, Walmart, where she led Walmart.com.
In this episode, Holt shares the new and innovative things happening at Conn’s HomePlus, including expanding the “store-within-a-store” concept, leaning into their strengths with key partnerships and bringing back layaway for customer financing.
Listen to hear Holt’s vision for unified commerce, Conn’s HomePlus’ journey to bring the store, ecommerce and all other touchpoints into a cohesive experience for the customer, and career insights Holt has learned as she’s risen through the ranks of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Shekar Natarajan, Chief Supply Chain Officer of American Eagle Outfitters, joins this episode to discuss the company's supply chain strategy, including its vision for a shared “internet of packages,” how current challenges are impacting the business and what the future of the retail supply chain looks like.
Natarajan expands on opportunities in the industry to unify, optimize and improve the outcome for everyone involved by sharing supply chain resources. He explains that, with an open platform model, as demonstrated by the internet, supply chain efforts in every corner of the world could work together for a real, tangible benefit all the way down the producer-to-consumer chain.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
On this episode, Carlos Londono, Vice President & Head of Supply Chain at Chipotle Mexican Grill, shares insight into the company’s supply chain strategy, how current challenges are impacting the business and what the future of the retail supply chain looks like.
The promise of fresh ingredients with no preservatives or additives means that Chipotle’s supply chain team needs to operate at the top of its game. It's through a devotion to its people, an openness to technology and an organizational commitment to efficiency that Londono and his team are able to adapt in today’s marketplace while staying true their values around running a sustainable business.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
After starting in wholesale and moving into ecommerce, Goodlife Clothing is now investing in physical stores. Andrew Codispoti, Co-CEO of Goodlife Clothing, joins Retail Gets Real to add a front-line perspective on how and why his, and other digitally native brands, are seeing success in physical retail spaces. Codispoti outlines the history of the brand and how the store has proven to be a cost-effective acquisition channel that not only brings in new customers but keeps them coming back.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As we hit the mid-point of 2022, we’re still dealing with the impacts of a global pandemic, supply chain disruptions and inflation, yet the consumer and retailers remain resilient. National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay joins Retail Gets Real to share insights about the state of retail coming off his recent conversations with industry and world leaders at the World Economic Forum and the White House.
He also shares the solutions NRF is advocating for as part of its Lower Inflation Now campaign, which include repealing tariffs and addressing the broken immigration system that contributes to an ongoing labor shortage and workforce challenges.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As the chief people and belonging officer at Neiman Marcus Group, Eric Severson oversees all of the aspects of the organization that impact people, both internally and externally.
Eric takes us from his start in the industry, at ten, working in his father’s retail shop, to Macy’s, Gap and more. His tips on team building and talent retention, leveling the playing field and operating with inclusion in all aspects of business are as actionable as they are insightful.
The bottom line is, you can’t just talk the talk anymore. You have to walk the walk. And that means developing real, measurable programs, investing in them and holding yourself accountable. It has to be fully integrated in what you do, or modern consumers will look the other way.
We learn that what Eric is after, this overall sense of belonging for all stakeholders, is an ongoing process, one that we must work at and fine tune over time. Listen to hear his insightful perspective on the current place (and future) of diversity, the environment, and important other social programs in the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, CEO/Founder, Sustainable Brands, joins the show to share what retailers are doing to become more sustainable, how consumer behaviors are evolving and what the future of retail looks like through a sustainability lens. Sustainable Brands is a global community of changemakers who are working together to shift the global economy toward a more sustainable future. She’s committed to pooling data and experiences from across industry in order to position business as the hero of the future, not its destructor.
Starting in the sustainability space in 2004, she’s seen, and directly participated in, a total shift in how businesses and the consumer view it. As she puts it, the train has left the station, so to speak, and today’s brands better get on board or be left behind.
Tune in for yet another expert perspective on how our industry continues to thrive during a period of rapid change.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Olaplex CEO JuE Wong talks about growing a fan favorite brand, harnessing the power of social media and what's next for the company and the future of the retail industry. She shares her unique career journey and the advice that helped her find success after success.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
After separating the digital business from stores in June 2021, Saks OFF 5TH has invested heavily in creating an unparalleled digital experience for the luxury bargain hunter. In this episode, Saks OFF 5TH President and CEO Paige Thomas shares insights into the digital strategy, leading through difficult times and where the future of retail is headed.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Jill Thomas is the CMO of PGA TOUR Superstore. The company, and the sport, have both seen a recent surge of growth due to COVID-19 and golf’s unique position as an outdoor activity that is social distancing-friendly and connection fostering. We talk about how PGA TOUR Superstore is expanding the world of golf to a broader audience, impacting not only the future of retail but of the sport as well.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
When Krista Bourne started in the mailroom at Verizon twenty years ago, she didn’t imagine that she would someday be in the C-suite. Today, as COO of Verizon Consumer Group, she joins the episode to talk about how she’s navigated her incredible career journey, what it takes to build effective teams and the future of retail.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Kimberly Lee Minor is the CEO of Bumbershoot, a firm that helps businesses rethink their cultures for inclusivity. In addition to being a thought leader and advocate for the advancement of women and people of color in the workplace, Kimberly is also the President and Chief Commercial Officer at women’s apparel brand, Bandier. We talk about how companies are rethinking their values and how to nurture diversity and inclusion, not just with customers and branding, but in the workforce. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
In this episode, we’re unpacking emerging retail trends with Cate Trotter of Insider Trends. We explore some of the latest developments shaking up the industry while focusing on hyper convenience and what factors are driving the shift to ultra-fast fulfillment. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Nancy Green is the President and CEO of Old Navy. After working her way up from the store level, she is deeply familiar with the customer journey and what people expect from a company at all levels, from leadership to the ground floor. Nancy joins us to discuss her career journey, the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way and what it takes to succeed in retail right now – and in the future.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The retail industry has been dealing with organized crime for many years, but the topic has gained new attention in the media of late. In this episode, Tony Sheppard, the director of loss prevention solutions at ThinkLP, talks about why we’re hearing so much about these problems right now, how the pandemic has impacted the problem, and how retailers can combat the issue and plan for the future. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As we get ready for the NRF Foundation Honors, we’re speaking with two retail leaders who are co-hosting the event: Macy’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette and Former CEO and President of Qurate Retail, Inc. Mike George. We asked each of the co-hosts twenty questions that revealed fascinating details about how they built their careers. Hear the highlights.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
For all the challenges the retail industry has faced over the past two years, store openings continue to outpace closings in the U.S. As National Director Retail Services, USA for Colliers, which manages a portfolio of over 2 billion square feet of retail establishments in the United States, Anjee Solanki has a unique perspective on the evolving needs for retail spaces and how retailers are creating compelling experiences in new kinds of spaces. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The NRF Foundation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future is a dynamic group of leaders creating opportunities and sparking innovation. These individuals – leaders at Chewy, Five Below, McDonalds, The RealReal, and formerly with CVS – have dedicated their careers to building better lives and stronger communities. They each discuss decisions they made throughout the pandemic and what the future of retail looks like. The members of The List will be recognized at the NRF Foundation Honors in April. (Originally released November 2021.) Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Nate Checketts, CEO and Co-Founder of men's activewear brand Rhone, shares how the company is expanding its physical presence and growing its brand while holding onto its core values.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Mark Mathews, VP of research development and industry analysis at NRF, dives into the reasons the U.S. is experiencing inflation, what’s driving up prices, how it impacts consumer behavior and how long we can expect it to last. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Zach Freeze, senior director for sustainability at Walmart, discusses Walmart's approach to climate and its evolving sustainability efforts, and what it's like to lead them as part of one of the largest and most influential retailers in the world. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Kate Ancketill, the founder and CEO of GDR Creative Intelligence, joins the show to discuss the retail trends that are shaping the future of retail and where retailers need to experiment now to be well positioned for the next five to 10 years. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The current retail landscape has seen tumultuous change over the last few years, and we can expect even more in the year ahead. Alberto Dent, the U.S. Consumer Markets Deals Leader for PwC, talks through the climate impacting deals for 2022 and why value creation is key to being successful. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
After separating the digital business from stores in June 2021, Saks OFF 5TH has invested heavily in creating an unparalleled digital experience for the luxury bargain hunter. In this episode, Saks OFF 5TH President and CEO Paige Thomas shares insights into the digital strategy, leading through difficult times and where the future of retail is headed.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
NRF’s Susan Reda shares retail predictions for 2022 as outlined in her annual NRF column. From a return to the store, to digital experiences in the store, to exploring the hype of the metaverse, see what’s in store for 2022. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The National Retail Federation is convening retailers and partners in New York city for its annual convention and expo NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show on Jan. 16-18. NRF’s Jill Dvorak and Eric Olson join to share what attendees can expect to see, hear and do at the event.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Matt Shay, the president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, looks back at retail in 2021 and lessons learned to move the industry forward in 2022.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
We’ve had insights into the pandemic and visions of the future in wide-ranging conversations representing key topics for the industry over the last year. In this episode, we highlight our favorite podcast moments of 2021. With everything from large companies to scrappy startups, it’s the focus on people that makes this industry so rewarding.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Barbra Bukovac, vice chair of consumer markets at PwC, discusses insights from PwC’s recent survey that show the impact of the pandemic on consumers’ trust and their relationships with businesses, including what helps businesses build trust and why engaging with customers regularly is so meaningful.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Nate Checketts, CEO and co-founder of men's activewear brand Rhone, shares how the company is expanding its physical presence and growing its brand while holding onto its values.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Bill Ready, president of commerce at Google, joins the podcast to discuss trending gifts this holiday season and the future of shopping as digital and physical experiences continue to blend.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
David French, NRF’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, discusses the latest on advocacy campaigns for the industry and connects the dots between Capitol Hill and retail.
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On this episode of “Retail Gets Real,” NRF retail industry experts answer the holiday season’s most-asked questions: the role of Black Friday, shipping concerns, the impact of inflation, labor shortages and who will be spending the most.
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The NRF Foundation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future is a dynamic group of leaders creating opportunities and sparking innovation. These individuals – leaders at Chewy, CVS, Five Below, McDonalds, and The RealReal – have dedicated their careers to building better lives and stronger communities. They each discuss decisions they made throughout the pandemic and what the future of retail looks like.
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The retail industry has been dealing with organized crime for many years, but the topic has gained new attention in the media of late. In this episode, Tony Sheppard, the director of loss prevention solutions at ThinkLP, talks about why we’re hearing so much about these problems right now, how the pandemic has impacted the problem, and how retailers can combat the issue and plan for the future.
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The pandemic taught us that new behaviors are always popping up, but we’re still figuring out which ones are here to stay. Jason “Retailgeek” Goldberg is the chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Group and has been a go-to retail expert for industry leaders for years. He joined Retail Gets Real to talk about what’s happening in retail, technology and how consumers are helping drive innovation. (Originally released June 21, 2021.)
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Oliver Chen, managing director of retail and luxury at Cowen, discusses the challenges and opportunities coming out of the pandemic and how luxury retailers are catering to consumers’ changing values and shopping patterns.
The pandemic has accelerated the future of retail, and that future includes a radically transformed store experience. The world expects instant speed, but they also want convenience and safety. The role of the store has shifted mainly into that of a distribution point, and organizations have had to learn to embrace and execute on this new reality overnight.
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The team takes a look back at some of highlights shared by leaders at NRF’s virtual events in 2021, including insights on leading through a crisis from UPS’ Carol Tome, the future of the last mile with the Urban Freight Lab, and Jared Issacman’s lessons from working with SpaceX.
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This year, 65% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween. After a dip in participation last year, that's almost back up to pre-pandemic levels and spending is estimated to reach record highs. NRF’s Head of Consumer Research, Katherine Cullen, breaks down the data around how consumers will be shopping and spending this Halloween.
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Tractor Supply Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Colin Yankee shares how the company is planning for the holidays and beyond amid a tangle of supply chain challenges and the investments the company is making to strengthen its supply chain operations for the future.
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As we're 18 months into this pandemic, we're taking a moment to reflect on the past year and a half and what it's meant for retail. NRF has a unique perspective from working with hundreds of retailers, big and small, from every sector and in every region.
We've seen how they've responded to this crisis with ingenuity and resiliency. Our guest today is the National Retail Federation’s general counsel and chief administrative officer, Stephanie Martz. We're going to talk to her about how the NRF has worked with retailers throughout this time and the extraordinary ways retailers have come together as an industry to get through unimaginable challenges.
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Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of the home brand Parachute, talks about how her company has grown throughout the pandemic, why they are investing in stores, and what's on the horizon for the home segment as we look toward 2022.
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Originally released May 11, 2021: A great pair of jeans never goes out of style. That fact is one of the many reasons why Levi Strauss & Co. has led the way for over a century. Today's guest is Marc Rosen, President of Levi Strauss Americas. We'll talk to Marc about Levi's digital strategy and how the brand is appealing to a whole new generation of consumers.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
For over a decade, NRF has been working with Kantar to compile our top retailer lists. This year's lists are out: The 2021 Top 100 Retailers and our list of the 25 fastest growing US retailers, the Hot 25. Kantar's Rachel Dalton is the director of ecommerce and omnichannel insights at Kantar, the agency that compiles the list. She joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to tell us about who made the lists and what it tells us about today's retail industry.
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It’s back to school season, which means something different to everyone – especially in the world of retail. Katherine Cullen, NRF’s Head of Consumer Research, explores the topic and what it means for retailers as well as parents.
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While the retail industry is very competitive, improving diversity across the industry is one area where retail companies are working together, sharing ideas, and learning from one another. We're talking with two leaders from Nordstrom about the company's diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy. Fanya Chandler is SVP of the Southwest Region and Personal Styling, and Gemma Lionello is Executive Vice President, General Merchandising Manager of Accessories and Beauty. They share the progress they're making in DE&I, and why the strategy is important for the business as a whole.
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Article is an online furniture company that is reimagining the furniture-buying process from design and manufacturing all the way through to delivery. We chatted with co-founder and COO, Andy Prochazka, earlier this summer about the company's journey. Whether you never thought you’d buy furniture online or are thrilled by the idea of it, Article has much to share about how they are impacting the industry.
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With its debut on Target store shelves in the spring, a whole new group of consumers has been introduced to Grove Collaborative this year. We're talking with Grove Collaborative Co-Founder and CEO Stu Landesberg about the evolution of the natural products company, from starting as a direct-to-consumer retailer, to developing new products, to teaming up with one of the biggest retailers in the country. We'll hear from Stu about the efforts to grow the business and help consumers live a more sustainable and planet-friendly lifestyle.
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As more of the country gets vaccinated against COVID-19, weddings are starting to fill the calendar once again. Some are even predicting that we're entering a wedding boom. No one has their finger on the pulse of weddings more than our guest today, Jim Marcum, CEO of David's Bridal. We're going to talk about how the company approached digital innovation during the pandemic and the company's focus as more couples gather their friends together, along with their families, to say, “I do.”
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It’s the time of year for out-of-office notifications. Since it's vacation season, we're going to talk about how to turn off work and recharge. We all know it's important, but this is something a lot of people just don't do very well. It's also something our friends at the NRF Foundation have been asking industry executives about in their 20 questions episodes over the past several months. We’re going to explore some of those answers now to see how different successful people manage to turn off work and take a break.
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As shopping for secondhand goods becomes increasingly popular, the resale market continues to grow quickly, and more and more retailers are leaning into the trend. Our guest today is Andy Ruben, Founder and CEO of Trove, which enables retailers such as REI, Lululemon, Patagonia, and Levi's to offer what they call “circular shopping.” We'll talk to Andy about the resale market and about how organizations like his are making the retail industry more sustainable.
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While many retail workers were on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, other corporate employees have been working from home for more than a year. We're talking with Organizational and Workforce Transformation Advisory Partner, Elizabeth Yates, and Deals Partner at PwC, Sushil Ahuja, about how retailers can navigate return-to-office plans in their organizations.
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We hear so much about the death of physical retail, but are the reports of retail’s death greatly exaggerated? We’re talking about the future of physical retail with Melissa Gonzalez, CEO of The Lionesque Group, and a principal at MG2. The Lionesque Group specializes in strategy and retail design. We'll find out what trends Melissa is watching as she works with leading retailers across the country to create fresh and engaging customer experiences.
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With more than 689 million users across the world, TikTok has emerged as a social media app that brands and consumers can’t ignore. Our guest today is Matt Cleary, TikTok's Vertical Director for Retail and Restaurants. We're going to ask him to share how retailers are using TikTok, what works for brands, and how consumers are engaging with the platform.
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Rob Mills, Exec VP/Chief Technology & Strategy Officer at Tractor Supply Company on retail acceleration, family and what’s next for Tractor Supply Company.
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Jason “Retailgeek” Goldberg is the Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis Group and has been a go-to retail expert for industry leaders for years. He is consistently one of our top-rated speakers at NRF events, not to mention the host of his own podcast on eCommerce, the Jason & Scot Show. Jason will be speaking at our upcoming NRF Retail Converge event in June. In this episode, we discuss the hottest things happening in retail today.
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As we head towards NRF’s newest event, NRF Retail Converge, we’re highlighting a few speakers you’ll hear from at the event. Mark Irvin, Best Buy’s Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Talent Officer, joined Retail Gets Real earlier this year for a conversation. Originally released March 2, 2021.
Best Buy’s Mark Irvin, is working hard to build and maintain an inclusive work environment for the 125,000 employees that work at Best Buy. In this episode, he talks about his path to the role and the retailer's approach to attracting, retaining, and growing a diverse talent pool.
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This summer, NRF is putting on a whole new virtual event, one that brings together the entire retail community to hear from leaders and experts about where the industry is today and where it’s headed in the future. NRF Retail Converge will run from June 21st through the 25th. Today, we sit down with Martine Reardon, CMO and EVP of Content and Membership at NRF, to discuss how the show is coming together and why we're so excited about it.
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When Ten Thousand Villages opened its doors in 1946, it was a fair trade pioneer, offering ethically-sourced, handmade products, crafted by artisans from developing countries. In today's episode, we're speaking with their CEO, Gordon Zook, about how the organization continues its mission, helping to positively impact the life and community of its makers and villages around the world, even as consumers and the world of retail evolve.
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A great pair of jeans never goes out of style. That fact is one of the many reasons why Levi Strauss & Co. has led the way for over a century. Today's guest is Marc Rosen, President of Levi Strauss Americas. We'll talk to Marc about Levi's digital strategy and how the brand is appealing to a whole new generation of consumers.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Torrance Hart is the founder of Teak & Twine, a small business making it easy to send thoughtfully curated gifts to just about anyone. A veteran-owned business, Teak & Twine is one of the featured businesses in NRF Foundation and Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight. Torrance talks about growing Teak & Twine and how uplifting other brands.
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Today's guest, Rob Smith, is on a mission to challenge boundaries with humanity. That’s the overarching goal of The Phluid Project, a gender-free fashion brand that works to foster community and acceptance in the industry. Smith, The Phluid Project's founder and CEO, discusses his inspirations for building the company, its purpose-driven evolution, and what the future holds for himself, his brand, and the retail world he aims to transform.
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As many around the country celebrate Earth Day this week, it's a good time to think about sustainability and how businesses can make a difference. NRF Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Scot Case discusses what makes a sustainable brand and what retailers can do to ensure progress and communicate transparently with consumers.
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Many of us who work in corporate environments haven't touched our business attire in a year. As we work from home, stretchy pants have become the new business casual. Today's guest is Brian Kennedy, Vice President of Operations at Ministry of Supply, an apparel brand that specializes in reengineering business attire for the modern professional. We talk with Brian about how Ministry of Supply shifted gears during the pandemic, what the last year has been like for business, and what's ahead for the cutting-edge brand.
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The past several months have been a whirlwind of growth and change for the retail industry, including in how people pay for things. Today we’re talking about buy now, pay later with Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO and co-founder of Klarna, which partners with thousands of retailers in the United States and across the globe to offer new payment options. He offers his unique take on the retail landscape and what he's seeing for the future of retail.
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NRF's annual consumer survey for Easter showed Americans would drop $21.6 billion during Easter this year. As we examine the data and take a closer look at what's driving holiday spending and the consumers' pulse, progress continues on vaccinating millions across the country. Katherine Cullen, NRF Senior Director of Industry & Consumer Insights, shares what we need to know about the upcoming holiday.
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Susan Reda and Jill Dvorak from NRF's Content and Retail Strategies team discuss the retail trends popping up around remote work, including how retailers keep their teams engaged and how leadership is taking on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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As we've seen over the past several years, the retailers that adapt and evolve with consumer behavior have thrived, even in challenging times. But what about the mall? Jill Renslow, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Mall of America, shares her perspective on how the mall was faring during a pandemic and what the future holds for both the Mall of America and malls across the country.
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The National Retail Federation recently published its annual retail sales forecast for 2021, projecting that retail sales will grow between 6.5 and 8.2 percent, to more than $4.3 trillion in 2021. In this episode, NRF’s Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz, shares what goes into the forecasting process and what is likely to impact consumer spending this year.
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Best Buy Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Talent Officer Mark Irvin is working hard to build and maintain an inclusive work environment for the 125,000 employees that work at Best Buy. In this episode, he talks about his path to the role and the retailer's approach to attracting, retaining, and growing a diverse talent pool.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
While most people aren't crowding the bar these days, Jomaree Pinkard knows that the pandemic doesn't have to stop you from savoring a delicious cocktail. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hella Cocktail Co., which makes cocktail mixers and bitters that are sold online and through partner retail stores across the United States, and even offered on Delta Airlines flights.
Prior to the pandemic at least half of Hella Cocktail’s business came from the foodservice and hospitality industry. Leaning into the values of their company helped them focus on where to grow the company in a sustainable way.
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After being frustrated that most sunscreens leave a white residue behind, today's guest set out to create a better option, especially for people of color. Katonya Breaux is the founder of Unsun Cosmetics, which makes clean mineral sunscreen that blends into any skin tone. And it's also one of the businesses selected for the NRF Foundation and Qurate Retail Group's Small Business Spotlight, which features entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds across the HSN, QVC, and Zulily platforms. She shares her founding story, and how her business has managed to thrive during the pandemic.
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In a year unlike any other, how have the behaviors of consumers changed around holidays? Katherine Cullen of NRF's Research Team shares some insights about what consumers are planning to do for Valentine’s Day this year.
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Farmgirl Flowers CEO Christina Stembel shares how she built her business from the ground up, created growth in a challenging year, and inspired countless Instagram-worthy moments and memories for customers.
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After a truly tense election, and a chaotic and unruly start to 2021 in the nation's capital, the country remains divided as ever. But nevertheless, there is work to be done. A new administration means new retail policy priorities for 2021, and David French, NRF's Senior Vice President of Government Relations, who was recently recognized as one of the top lobbyists by “The Hill,” knows all about what to expect. He’s going to share what matters most for retailers and how NRF plans to work to make progress for the industry in the coming year.
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As social responsibility and sustainability grows in importance for consumers, people are looking for a meaningful connection to the brands they support. In this episode, Ron Kinghorn, PwC’s US Consumer Markets Advisory Leader, discusses ESG investing and how ESG can be used as a core competitive differentiator.
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NRF’s virtual event, NRF 2021 Retail's Big Show—Chapter One, starts January 12. NRF's Vice President of Content and Retail Strategy, Jill Dvorak chats with the team about what we're hearing from retail leaders across the country and why this is going to be a Big Show like no one has ever seen before.
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NRF’s Susan Reda discusses which trends coming out of 2020 will gain momentum in 2021 and what the year ahead holds for retail.
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The retail industry was challenged from every direction in 2020, but retail is resilient. National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay discusses what shaped the industry this past year and looks ahead at the challenges and the opportunities for retail going forward.
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As the world of retail is transforming at a rate faster than we've ever seen, the National Retail Federation's virtual event, NRF 2021 Retail's Big Show Chapter 1, will provide the talks, tech, and talent of tomorrow to propel the retail industry forward.
This year, COVID-19 taught us that the customer experience of the future requires connection, personalization, and most importantly, safety. Suitsupply Founder and CEO Fokke de Jong is speaking at NRF 2021 about reinventing the shopper journey to meet customers where and how they want to shop, and he joins this episode to offer a preview of their new in-store safe shopping and virtual pre-shopping options.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
The National Retail Federation's flagship event is going virtual this year. At NRF 2021, Retail's Big Show Chapter One, innovative brands big and small will come together — virtually — to celebrate the best in retail and move forward with focus. Mitch Joel is an expert in reimagining what's next. This January at NRF 2021, he'll be discussing the growth of e-commerce and what lies ahead for the fully digitized consumer.
Mitch is an entrepreneur, author, digital expert, and the founder of Six Pixels Group, an advisory, investing, and content company focused on brands and commerce. He's been named one of the top 100 marketers in the world and was awarded the highly prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40 award. He joins the Retail Gets Real podcast to share a glimpse into his Big Show session and talk about how retailers are rethinking many commonly-held beliefs about what works in commerce today.
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Tom Litchford, Head of Worldwide Retail at Amazon Web Services, joins us to talk about why the cloud is a strategic investment that helps retailers innovate, recover revenue, and cut costs while protecting themselves from future unexpected events and disruptions.
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As the holiday season arrives, how will this year's unique circumstances impact business? To help us answer that question, we sat down with Steven Lightman, Group President, Gourmet Foods & Gift Baskets at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, INC. He shares his insight on how consumer behaviors are shifting this year and how the retailer is expanding its digital and mobile footprint to ensure consumers have the goods they need in time for the holidays.
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We are months into the COVID-19 pandemic at this point, and people everywhere are forming new habits—some healthy, some not so much. Consumers continue to look for ways to improve their diet, seeking out alternatives to meat and dairy as a way to complement a healthy and balanced lifestyle. T.K. Pillan is a health and wellness enthusiast on a mission to encourage plant-based eating whenever possible. He founded Veggie Grill, a vegan restaurant chain that makes plant-based eating delicious and accessible while contributing to a healthier and kinder future for the planet. T.K. joins Retail Gets Real to discuss consumer demand for sustainable plant-based dining options and how he's building a healthy food empire.
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While 40% of the food produced in the United States is thrown away, one in eight Americans struggle with hunger. Kroger is hoping to close this gap with the Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative, leveraging community engagement, customer education, and other operations. This initiative marks a commitment from Kroger to end hunger in our communities and eliminate waste across the company by 2025. Keith Dailey, Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs at The Kroger Co., joins us to discuss how Kroger is supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and how it's restructuring the narrative around food waste.
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With conflicts around health and safety likely to escalate as we head into the holiday season, the NRF Foundation recently released training credentials in retail operations and customer conflict prevention to arm frontline employees with the skills they need to better manage health and safety, for both themselves and customers, and resolve customer conflicts. The Customer Conflict Prevention Training in partnership with the Crisis Prevention Institute will train customer-facing retail employees on how to identify signs of conflict, minimize risk, and effectively de-escalate if needed. Susan Driscoll is the president of the Crisis Prevention Institute, where she oversees design, instruction, and training, among many other operations at CPI. Today, she joins us on the Retail Gets Real podcast to discuss how the foundation's new training credentials will give retail workers the tools to promote safety and the confidence to operate efficiently during the pandemic.
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The pandemic's effects on the economy have led retailers to reassess and reexamine opportunities for partnerships so that they will be better equipped to thrive through the uncertainties ahead in the market. Though some might be vulnerable, merging with sectors that have flourished in the past few months could lead to new opportunities that fortify customer relationships and expand cash flow. John Potter, a partner in the US Deals Sector at PwC, discusses mergers and acquisitions, how the effects of the pandemic have shifted business strategies, and opportunities for investments in retail.
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The National Retail Federation's Top 100 Retailers list has been ranking the nation's biggest retail players by sales since 2010. Retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon have dominated the Top 100 list year over year, and they saw accelerated growth during the pandemic. In 2006, NRF began releasing the Hot 100 Retailers list, which ranks the nation's fastest-growing retail companies. Among those topping this year's list are supermarket Lidl and discount merchant Five Below. Today, we're going to take a deep dive and explore the retailers who made this year's list and what their investments can tell us about the future of retail with Rachel Dalton, the Director of e-Commerce and Omnichannel Insights at Kantar, the research firm that compiles NRF's top retailer lists.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Coronavirus might have halted many aspects of our lives this year, but consumers are still looking forward to celebrating Halloween... although things will look a little different this year. Research from NRF shows more than 148 million US adults plan to participate in Halloween-related activities like trick or treating and wearing costumes. To learn more about how people are planning to celebrate responsibly, we sat down with Kevin Johnson, Chairman of the Halloween & Costume Association, and Christopher Gindlesperger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Confectioners Association.
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Shopify is a global e-commerce platform that serves over a million merchants in over 175 countries by streamlining the process of running a store online. In the wake of this year's rise in online shopping, many merchants, particularly small businesses, turned to the platform to reach their customers and earn a profit. Today, Ian Black, Head of Retail at Shopify is here to share how the platform is helping retailers of all sizes meet their needs and weather the pandemic.
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COVID-19 has accelerated retail and shaped behavior for all consumers, from gen-Z to baby boomers. In just a few short months, we've seen soaring demand for essential products like toilet paper and we've stocked up on merchandise like toys and cooking supplies that brought us comfort and entertainment while in quarantine. We opted for contactless payments, increased shopping via mobile apps, and celebrated holidays like Easter and Mother's Day from a social distance.
We also saw retailers expand digital offerings to help us get the items we need right now through methods like curbside pickup and buy online, pick up in store. As retailers continue to create omnichannel experiences that transform the way we buy, how are consumers changing? And what trends are here to stay? Susan Reda, Vice President of Content Strategy, and Jill Dvorák, VP of Content and Retail Strategy at NRF, join us to examine the retailer and consumer journey since the onset of the coronavirus and what these noteworthy trends could mean for the future of retail.
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The early weeks of the pandemic led consumers to experience unprecedented supply shortages and retailers to experience delays in essential inventory that was in high demand. With the holidays just around the corner, how will the ongoing pandemic affect what has traditionally been retailer's busiest time of the year? And what are retailers doing to diversify sourcing options to reduce supply chain disruptions?
In a previous episode with experts from PwC, we discuss how retailers can leverage demand sensing to predict consumer trends that will determine sales. This week, we're going to take a step further to look at how retailers are making decisions about what kinds of items to have in stock and other areas for investment. Jon Gold, the Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation, discusses how supply chain and customs issues are impacting the industry and how retailers are responding.
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In January at retail's Big Show, we spoke with the Enjoy Technology, Inc. CEO, Ron Johnson, about his journey establishing the mobile retail startup that reproduces the in-store experience in the comfort of customer's homes. When the pandemic hit, personal shopping experiences were impacted as retailers prioritized social distancing, and the health and safety of employees and consumers. Today, Ron discusses how the Enjoy experience has changed since the start of the pandemic, as well as how retailers can continue to deliver personal and memorable experiences at a time when it matters most.
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The approaching holiday season will look very different for many retailers this year as the coronavirus upends and accelerates the retail industry. At a time when so many things are uncertain, understanding the rapidly changing needs of consumers is paramount in helping supply chain leaders better forecast demand and effectively manage inventory. That’s why retailers should be leveraging demand sensing, which uses supply chain information in real time to more accurately predict trends that will improve sales, make production more effective, and optimize inventory. Two experts from PwC, Kurt Staelens and Paul Leinwand, share how retailers are using demand sensing to reveal patterns that better predict behavior and what retailers can be doing right now to prepare for the busy holiday season ahead.
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While looking to entertain themselves in quarantine, many consumers have taken up new hobbies. A go-to place for creative hobbies is Michaels Stores, an arts and crafts retailer specializing in all types of supplies for creative endeavors. At the onset of the pandemic, Michael's responded by launching new programs like curbside pickup and same-day delivery, as well as expanding how-to content on their website as customers were scrambling to entertain kids (and themselves). Steve Woodward, Senior Director of Digital Experience at Michaels, joins us to share how the retailer is innovating to accommodate the consumer since the onset of the coronavirus.
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As the next generation of consumers comes of age, it’s important to look at the habits of Gen Z, commonly referred to as the digital native generation. Katherine Cullen of the National Retail Federation's research team shares some recent data on what to expect from this group of young people. They are the first generation to truly grow up completely connected—not only with the internet but with smartphones and social media as well. They are ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting new technology and they are quickly becoming the experts of new tools and channels. Find out how their shopping habits—and their use of technology—affects retailers of the future.
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Gen Z and Millennials get all of the attention, but there are some interesting trends emerging in how Boomers have adjusted their shopping habits due to the pandemic. Katie Jordan from the NRF research team shares some recent data about how that generation is shopping today. Unlike millennials and Gen Z, Boomers aren’t known for being tech-savvy. But with social distancing mandates, they have been forced to move more of their lives online. This has resulted in a large boom in the use of online shopping, curbside pick-up, contactless pay, and more.
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It's back-to-school time, but not like we’re used to. Confusion about what school looks like this year also means uncertainty around back-to-class shopping. NRF’s Katherine Cullen talks about how implications of the pandemic are impacting family budgets, how retailers are adjusting their back-to-school shopping experience for online shopping and how kids are contributing to their own school shopping.
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Eric Kinariwala, the founder and CEO of Capsule shares how the business is designed to improve the pharmacy experience, how it’s growing rapidly to meet the health needs of customers, and how the pandemic has impacted its business.
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SKDKnickerbocker consultant and media strategist Bill Knapp describes how the issue of requiring face coverings became a contentious one and shares what messaging resonates best when communicating safety policies with customers.
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Ramunda and Derrick Young run MahoganyBooks, an independent bookstore specializing in African American literature that operates online and from its Washington, D.C. location. In this episode, the Youngs share how they’ve navigated the pandemic as a small business and the recent surge in demand for books about the Black experience and racism following global protests against racial inequality. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Sarah Friar, CEO of the social networking platform Nextdoor, shares what retailers can learn from how people are engaging on the app, whether it's offering a helping hand, supporting a local business, or fostering community.
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How are current crises and the cultural environment impacting shopping behavior? Rachel Bonsignore, a senior consultant at GfK Consumer Life, says now is a critical time for companies to make their values clear in an authentic way as shoppers are more savvy than ever.
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Throughout the last few months, Sam's Club has been innovating at a rapid pace, offering new tools to help customers and associates fulfill their needs and maintain a high level of service during very difficult times. Eddie Garcia, senior vice president and chief product officer for Sam's Club discusses how the company is adapting to members' needs, and what he expects will continue to change when the pandemic is behind us.
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Karl Haller, the leader of IBM's Consumer Industry Center of Competence, who has been checking the consumer pulse regularly during the pandemic shares the most important things for retailers to know about consumers right now.
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In January, at NRF 2020, Retail's Big Show, we talked with Crate and Barrel CEO Neela Montgomery about her journey to retail and becoming the head of one of America's most popular home brands. And just a few weeks ago, Neela joined us for a virtual event as part of our NRF Retail Leadership series. Today, we're going to bring you highlights from both of those conversations. Neela's path to retail leadership, how so much changed virtually overnight amid the pandemic, and what the future of retail will look like.
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Companies across the nation are collaborating in creative ways to lend a hand where needed during the pandemic. Saskia van Gendt, the head of sustainability for Rothy's, talks about how the Open Innovation Coalition is bringing together like-minded brands to share resources to support COVID-19 relief efforts, with the goal of helping one million people by July 1, 2020.
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Sandra Oh Lin took her knack for creating fun STEM activities for her kids and turned it into KiwiCo, a monthly subscription box business that fuels kids’ passion for creativity. On this episode, Oh Lin describes how she went from engineer to entrepreneur and the lessons she learned the hard way as demand for the popular kids’ activity boxes quickly grew. Originally released July 1, 2019.
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Food52 was created with the vision of celebrating a love of food with a like-minded community. With more people staying at home during the pandemic and turning to cooking for comfort, Food52’s massive community of engaged followers has grown even more. Listen to learn more about how the brand turns fans into customers with crowdsourced product launches that sell out in days and why consumers connect with their human approach to cooking.
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The pandemic of COVID-19 is hitting everyone hard, the retail industry included. Despite that, many retailers are coming together to find creative ways to help each other, their customers, and their communities. Today, we’re sharing the stories of some of those companies and how they are innovating to accommodate.
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Retailers are facing unique challenges in today’s environment. Today, we're looking at how consumer behavior is changing amid the COVID-19 crisis with NRF Senior Director of Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. NRF has been checking in on how people have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic, including popular purchases, shopping methods, and the broader ways this impacts their lives and behaviors.
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How do you make shopping for LEGOs as fun as building them? That’s the question — and the ambition — behind Martin Urrutia’s work as the Head of Global Retail Innovation at LEGO. With more than 25 years of retail experience, his job is to push innovative retail practices that will keep the company at the forefront of customer expectations.
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Originally released May 14, 2018: BARK, the makers of BarkBox, began where so many great companies do — in a heart-shaped bed on a cruise ship. Henrik Werdelin and his co-founders bonded over a mutual love for dogs and an obsession with making their furry family members happy. In this episode, Werdelin discusses how BARK’s dog-obsessed culture drives every facet of the business and attracts an army of similarly obsessed fans.
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How do you stay on the cutting edge of wellness while maintaining consumer trust? Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, starts by asking a question: “How can we make this relevant for today and how do we make sure that we can take it forward into the future?” In this episode, Leite talks about how The Vitamin Shoppe is innovating around everything from the customer experience to CBD products. Sharon has learned how to take her years of retail experience fundamentals and apply them to turning companies around.
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What does it take to become the person responsible for creating some of the world's most-loved fragrances? Jo Malone, the creator of Jo Loves, shares her origin story and how she came to be called an English scent maverick. Learning to sell as a means of survival, Jo cultivated a passion for her business that has led to the creation of two global brands.
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Originally released Sept. 9, 2018: For millions of people around the world, Pinterest is the first stop on their retail journey — it’s a place to discover, get inspired and personalize. For retailers, Pinterest is an opportunity to engage with customers earlier and more often, well before a transaction takes place. To learn more about how brands of all sizes are taking advantage of this social media platform, we sit down with Amy Vener, the head of retail strategy at Pinterest.
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Annie Agle, Director of Impact and Brand at Cotopaxi, shares how its customers are gathering around a mission of sustainability, conscious capitalism and an ambitious goal of ending poverty, as well as what other companies can learn from the startup’s unique approach to sustainable outdoor apparel.
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Zeynep Ton, the author of the book The Good Job Strategy, discovered that many of the expensive, productivity-draining problems faced in retail came down to poor labor practices. By focusing on creating good jobs for employees that lead to great customer experiences, companies can both save money and make their employees happy.
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Alison Hahn, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Color and Fragrance at Sephora, is at the helm of some of the most exciting innovations in the beauty industry. She joins Retail Gets Real from the NRF Foundation Student Program to share some of the cutting-edge initiatives Sephora is leading and where the beauty industry is headed.
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The consumer is constantly changing, and companies need to adapt and change quickly in order to keep up — or, even better, retailers can be proactive and get ahead of the curve. To tell us more about where the customer will be in 2022 and what retailers can do to prepare, we talk to Andrea Bell, Head of Insight for WGSN, who believes that the biggest point of differentiation in 2022 will be the dichotomy between different generations.
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TechStyle has built one of the most data-driven, deeply consumer-obsessed advertising groups by effectively building an internal agency that advertises across its portfolio of brands. They also have a unique membership model that rewards customers with better pricing and promotions, and in return, these members help TechStyle acquire more customer data. To learn more about the company’s unique model and where it’s headed in the future, we talk to Laura Joukovski, President of Global Fashion Brands for TechStyle.
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The NRF Innovation Lab at Retail’s Big Show showcases over 50 of the most groundbreaking technologies in the retail space. Sucharita Kodali, an NRF Innovation Advisory Committee member and a retail analyst with Forrester joins the show to talk more about the Lab, along with one of the innovators from the lab, George Shaw, CEO and co-founder of Pathr, the first AI-powered spatial intelligence platform that uses anonymous location data to derive business insights in real-time.
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Indeed’s Director of U.S. Marketing Carmen Bryant and Economist Daniel Culbertson join Retail Gets Real from NRF 2020: Retail’s Big Show to share data-driven insights on the current state of the labor market and how retailers can adapt in a challenging environment.
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Kate Ancketill, CEO and founder of GDR Creative Intelligence, discusses how technology is shaping consumer behavior, how retailers are responding worldwide and what the nascent “loneliness economy” looks like.
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Rakesh Tondon is the co-founder and CEO of Le Tote, an online clothing rental business that recently acquired Lord & Taylor and opened its first physical location. Tondon shares how Le Tote is disrupting the fashion industry, why it’s opening physical locations and why it’s imperative for retail to continue evolving if it wants to survive.
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When Dave Bolotsky was transitioning from retail analyst to entrepreneur in 1999, he set out to create an online concept that would capitalize on the opportunities presented by the growing sector of online retail without competing with huge retailers. Twenty years later, UncommonGoods stands out as a business model that champions sustainability in all forms.
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While most of the industry is just starting to understand the possibilities of quickly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence and its applications for retail, Walmart is sprinting ahead with projects like its Intelligent Retail Lab, a fully operating store with an in-store AI lab. Mike Hanrahan, CEO of Walmart's Intelligent Retail Lab joins the show to share more about the lab and what it means for the future of retail.
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NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show is right around the corner, where nearly 40,000 retail industry attendees, and 800 exhibitors from 99 different countries joining NRF in New York City from January 12-14. To share what you can expect from retail’s biggest and best event, we talk to Susan Reda and Eric Olson, who helped program the event; Kevin Parakkattu, who is part of the committee responsible for curating the Innovation Lab; and Ellen Davis, who is president of the National Retail Federation Foundation and Senior Vice President of the National Retail Federation.
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National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay looks back on why 2019 was a great year for retail and looks forward to how policy, societal shifts, and technology will affect retailers in 2020.
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This week, the Retail Gets Real team gathers around an open fire with chestnuts and a microphone to reflect on their favorite moments of 2019, featuring: Chip Bergh of Levi’s, Mary Beth Laughton of Sephora, Elie Donahue of Rothy’s, Michelle Kelly of Lilly Pulitzer, Becky Waddell of Take Care, Rachael Gruntmeir of Black Scintilla, Ed Stack of Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse of R.Riveter.
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Katherine Cullen, head of NRF’s consumer research division, joins the show to share what happened between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, some surprising data about generational purchasing behavior and what shoppers have left to do this season.
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Re-commerce, experiences and CBD ... oh my! In this episode, we look ahead to 2020 with Susan Reda, editor of NRF’s STORES Magazine, who digs into the insights reported in STORES’ 2020 retail trends forecast.
Read STORES’ full 2020 retail trends forecast to see the full list of predictions, and listen to the full episode to hear why Reda thinks experiential retail is maturing beyond Instagrammable moments and how wellness trends are shaping the future of retail.
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Katherine Cullen, NRF's head of consumer research, provides some insight into what consumers are looking for this holiday season and how it's shaping up for retailers. Learn more about what to expect from November and December shopping at nrf.com/holiday.
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The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade started back in 1924, but it's still bringing Americans together for a shared cultural experience that delights both young and old. Susan Tercero, executive producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, joins Retail Gets Real to share how it all comes together and what it means to Macy's.
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What does it take to create “the most interesting store in the world?” In this episode, Tal Nathanel, CEO of SHOWFIELDS, discusses the process of reinventing how to use retail spaces with a fresh take on creating immersive customer experiences.
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Men's grooming brand Hawthorne is spicing up the men's personal care market, using technology to provide a personalized experience and catering to men who don’t know much about grooming products. CEO and co-founder Brian Jeong shares the origins of Hawthorne, as well as why accessibility in the personal care space involves more than just lowering the price point. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
As the trade war continues, U.S. businesses and consumers are paying the price, but how did we get here and what is the end game? Scott McCandless, Trade Policy Leader for PwC US joins the podcast along with NRF Chief Lobbyist David French to shed light on how tariffs are impacting the industry.
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Ministry of Supply brings a scientific approach to redesigning the work wardrobe, blending high-tech performance materials, extensive research and experimentation. On this episode, CEO and Co-founder Aman Advani talks about what happens when engineering meets fashion and what the future of retail looks like.
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NRF forecasts that 2019 holiday sales will grow between 3.8% and 4.2% over 2018, to between $727.9 billion and $730.7 billion. NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz discusses what's behind those numbers and the state of the economy heading into the holidays. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Original release date: Oct. 15. In a world where customers do everything on smartphones, ZIVELO CEO Healey Cypher says the store of the future isn’t robots and AI. It’s more about seamless—maybe even invisible—tech that helps associates assist customers and stores become self-aware.
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Take Care, a natural skincare and wellness shop in Washington, D.C., is so effective at creating inviting spaces that its customers want more reasons to stay in the store. Becky Waddell describes how the business finds new ways to use its retail space, from experimenting with co-working to introducing new services.
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Winning as a team is a core tenet of Zulily. The online retailer’s Brian Doherty joins the show to talk about how Zulily brings together various departments to create a personalized and compelling experience that brings customers back every day — even when they don’t want anything. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com
Drybar CMO Sarah Hoffmann joins the podcast to share how the company known for its in-store experience is focusing on mobile and personalization to extend the VIP treatment to guests outside the store.
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Retailers that don’t change won’t survive in this landscape. Lee Peterson, EVP of brand strategy and design at WD Partners, discusses the trends driving change and what it takes for retailers to adapt in a world where mobile devices give consumers anything, anywhere, any time.
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Hardware wholesaler, True Value Company, has been in business for almost 70 years and, today, serves more than 4500 independent retail stores. Divisional Vice President of Marketing Strategy, Sue Smolenski chats about how the company is continuing to innovate both online and offline, in a changing marketplace.
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The retail experience of the future is personalized, but what actually resonates with consumers? How can retailers deliver personalized experiences at scale? In this episode, research experts Joe Beier and Rachel Bonsignore from GfK share insights from their latest study.
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Demographic, social and technological disruptions are causing retailers to reevaluate their approach to building teams and cultures. Carrie Duarte, a leader in PwC’s Workforce of the Future, joins Retail Gets Real to talk about how organizations can keep up with the pace of change, from finding new sources of talent to the business case for diversity and inclusion.
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A piece of Lilly Pulitzer apparel is immediately recognizable; its vibrant prints and inimitable energy have been delighting customers for 60 years. President Michelle Kelly joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to talk about how the iconic Florida brand stays relevant and uses “the love of Lilly” to bring people together.
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Jeffrey Rayport, Faculty at the Entrepreneurial Management Unit at Harvard Business School sees established legacy retailers being “attacked” from three different avenues and suggests three elements that can help them adapt: data analytics, digital marketing and creating customer experiences. Find out more about each, plus learn more about NRF NXT, our newest event.
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Retail expert James Mullan, formerly SVP and Head of US Business at UK consultant firm GDR Creative Intelligence, describes the trends in retail today that he thinks will have the biggest impact in the future and shares how retailers can adapt and evolve to rapidly changing consumer behavior.
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As the EVP of Loss Prevention and Global Sustainability at Gap Inc., Keith White has a one-of-a-kind title and position: While protecting the company’s people and assets, he also takes care of the planet. White joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to discuss emerging trends in the loss prevention world and how the apparel retailer is taking corporate social responsibility to the next level.
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As retailers seek to build personalized and engaging customer experiences, they’re collecting more consumer data. PwC’s US Cybersecurity and Privacy Leader Sean Joyce joins the show to discuss how retailers must practice transparency around data collection and protect consumer data to build trust with consumers in the age of experiential retail.
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Cuyana uses its philosophy of “fewer, better” things to create thoughtfully made items, appealing to women who have become dissatisfied with fast fashion. Co-founder and CEO Karla Gallardo discusses how the business was born, the journey to opening stores and how to grow a brand built on trust.
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Sandra Oh Lin took her knack for creating fun STEM activities for her kids and turned it into KiwiCo, a monthly subscription box business that fuels kids’ passion for creativity. On this episode, Oh Lin describes how she went from engineer to entrepreneur and the lessons she learned the hard way as demand for the popular kids’ activity boxes quickly grew.
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Shopping for used clothing is turning into a luxury experience with thredUP, a company that started online and expanded into five stores in just a few years. President Anthony Morino is helping take this “unappealing” market and making it sexy and environmentally conscious. Hear him explain all the things that are woven into the operation to make it seamless for customers.
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B8ta’s “retail-as-a-service” model brings new and innovative products to retail faster. Co-founder and President Phillip Raub talks about the company’s unique model and how its retail spaces elevate the discovery experience in the physical world.
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Shoe brand Rothy's brings together things consumers don't find everyday — shoes that are comfortable, stylish and made sustainably from recycled plastic. That winning combination has earned the company an avid fan base that's growing quickly. VP of Marketing Elie Donahue talks about how to attract fans and where the brand is headed.
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Social media's powerful influence to reach consumers is a game changer for many businesses. Facebook’s Martin Gilliard, head of industry, retail — superstore and grocery, is at the center of where social media and shopping meet. In his role at Facebook, Gilliard drives the development of data products for retail; in this episode, he dives into how Facebook is working with retailers now and in the future.
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“Stores are a powerful way to bring experiences to life for people,” says Sephora EVP of Omni Retail Mary Beth Laughton. In this episode, Laughton describes how to look at the customer journey holistically and create a seamless shopping experience — whether in-store or online — through the expertise of beauty advisors, tech that solves a pain point and no-hitch transactions.
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Keeping things fresh on the restaurant side of retail can be quite a challenge, in every conceivable way. Offering healthy food that people actually want to eat, making sure it stays safe throughout the supply chain, and creating a restaurant experience that people want to go back to are all big challenges, for restaurants of all shapes and sizes. In this episode, we’re talking to CAVA’s CEO, Brett Schulman, about how this healthy Mediterranean brand is overcoming these challenges through a positive culture, intelligent applications of technology, and a vertically integrated supply chain that keeps great ingredients fresh.
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Today’s guest identified a retail opportunity that no one else saw – an opportunity to disrupt and grow the custom framing industry by focusing on the customer experience – and then she made the entrepreneurial plunge. In this episode, Susan Tynan shares her experience founding Framebridge, how the company can offer a great product at a lower price point, why it is opening physical retail locations after five years as an online business, and her advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
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The digital transformation has ushered in a new era of data, which allows retailers to work smarter, innovate faster and serve customers better — but it has also introduced new risks. PwC U.S. Cybersecurity and Privacy Leader Sean Joyce says when it comes to cyber risk, being resilient is a company’s best defense. In this episode, learn the cyber threats retailers need to be aware of and what consumers can do to protect themselves.
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Starting a small business means more than becoming a small business owner — it also means becoming a bigger part of the local community, as well as the community of retailers all around the country. In this episode, we talk to Rachael Gruntmeir, owner of the Black Scintilla boutique in Oklahoma City, about how she builds a sense of belonging in her customers, fosters strategic partnerships within her community and influences both local and national policy.
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Mike Brenton, Director of Asset Protection for Giant Food, talks about the business of protecting people, assets, and brands at the grocery chain, and the new technology that presents both opportunities and challenges for loss prevention pros.
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Retail is a combination of online, mobile, and in-person experiences, but they aren't discrete channels anymore – they are all pieces of the customer experience, and every customer engages with brands through a unique combination of these experiences. A big challenge for retailers, then, is facilitating the seamless journey through this channel-less world. So, in this episode, we sit down with Chris Silver, Director of Global Retail Strategy and International for URBN, which includes the brands Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People, to learn about the technology and experiences that keep customers engaged.
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During World War II, Rosie the Riveter famously left her home to go into factories and shipyards and help her country. Today, R.Riveter is bringing jobs into the homes of modern-day military families. Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, co-founders of R.Riveter, share how the handbag maker empowers military families through mobile, flexible income.
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Karen Etzkorn is the chief information officer for Qurate Retail Group, the parent organization for brands such as HSN, QVC and Zulily. In this episode, Etzkorn identifies the two technologies all retailers should integrate today and shares how to encourage more women to embrace technology careers.
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Social network's ability to connect and influence people's behavior is powerful. In the case of Poshmark, it's not only connecting buyers and sellers, it's also creating a new kind of entrepreneur. Join us as we sit down with founder and CEO Manish Chandra for a look inside the largest social commerce marketplace in the United States.
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MM.LaFleur empowers customers to focus on the things that really matter — like preparing for that client meeting or business trip — through styling, thoughtfully designed products and community. Vice President of Brand Marketing Jennifer Braunschweiger joins this episode to share how her team supports women and brings the brand to life.
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As customer expectations and behaviors change, retailers need to change too. That means creating new processes, implementing new technologies, and building teams with new skills. To learn more about the logistics of improving both the customer and employee experiences, we sit down with Wayfair’s Director of Supply Chain Engineering Dustin Bennett.
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Nordstrom is known for offering a great customer experience, and they manage to continue offering exceptional experiences even as customer needs change in our constantly transforming world. To learn how Nordstrom stays ahead of disruption and their customers’ changing needs, we sit down with Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Shea Jensen, who was recently honored at the NRF Foundation Gala as a Disruptor on the List of People Shaping Retail's Future.
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Zulily launches over 9,000 new products and 100 sales every single day — and curates a unique storefront for each of its millions of customers. Through personalization and stories told through images, videos and social media, Zulily turns the shopping experience into an entertainment experience. Vice President of Technology Bindu Thota talks about the technology and the people that make it all happen.
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Getaway takes a fresh approach to hospitality, offering cabins in the woods designed for city dwellers overworked and burned out by the digital age. Getaway replaces amenities that people have come to expect, like Wi-Fi, with a simpler experience that will bring more balance to their lives. Founder Jon Staff discusses reimagining an established industry and creating an experience for an unmet consumer need.
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Jo Malone is an English “scent maverick” responsible for creating some of the world’s most loved fragrances. A Dreamer on the NRF Foundation's The List of People Shaping Retail's Future, she discusses her Jo Loves brand and how she is changing the way the world wears fragrance — for a second time.
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Beauty was a $500 billion industry that hadn’t been disrupted since the market shifted from department stores to specialty stores — until Birchbox came on the scene in 2010. Now the subscription box pioneer is partnering with Walgreens to bring its highly personalized experience into physical stores, meeting customers at the intersection of efficacy and delight. To learn more about the partnership and the evolution of this disruptive beauty brand, we chat with Birchbox co-founder and CEO Katia Beauchamp. Recorded at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show.
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Automation isn’t just a trend, it’s a new way of working. Chris Wong, vice president of strategy and alliances at IBM Global Consumer Industry, shares learnings from a new global study conducted by IBM's Institute for Business Value and NRF that reveals how retailers are using AI-powered automation.
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How does one of the world’s largest and most successful retailers achieve digital transformation at scale? From NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show, Walmart Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Jeremy King describes the investments the company is making in supply chain technology and more, and what emerging technologies like machine learning and blockchain mean for the future of retail.
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Partnerships that create customer value are good, but for partnerships to be great, they should be built on shared values. Joining us at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show, Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO of TaskRabbit, takes us inside the partnership between TaskRabbit and IKEA and talks about her incredible career journey.
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In the last year, Ed Stack, Chairman and CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods, has made headlines and left a lasting impression on the retail industry. The company has also navigated a time of great change in retail, all while committing to support youth sports programs across the country. Stack sits down at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show to share more about the vision that drives Dick’s.
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Levi’s experienced almost a decade of sales stagnation and nearly lost a generation of young consumers, but new leadership and a clear strategy helped the brand reclaim lost ground and reemerge as a cultural touchstone. On this episode, we talk with Levi Strauss & Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh, who was recently recognized as “The Visionary” by NRF.
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People might think reporting on retail is simple because “it’s just about shopping,” says Phil Wahba, senior writer covering retail at Fortune magazine, but there's a lot more happening. Wahba joins Retail Gets Real to talk about what goes into reporting on this complex industry and the stories to watch in 2019.
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The retail store is transforming, and innovation means opportunity and change. Oliver Chen covers retail for Cowen and Company and sees a lot of this transformation firsthand. In this episode, Chen discusses how modern retailers are updating their success metrics for a new age and what the future of retail holds for companies and their customers.
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2018 has been one of the best years for the retail industry in a decade. While the economic environment will be more complicated in the year ahead, retail CEOs are feeling optimistic about 2019. Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, reflects on the state of the industry and what’s to come in 2019.
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Last year, we talked to business guru Scott Galloway about what it takes to succeed in retail today, the importance of a great workforce and what Amazon’s next move should be. Ahead of his appearance at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show, we’re revisiting his industry predictions.
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A lot of consumers spread out holiday shopping over the last two months of the year, but “people still have a lot of shopping left to do,” says NRF Director of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. She joins the third installment of the podcast’s holiday mini-series to discuss who’s still shopping and what retailers can expect during the last weekend before Christmas, including Super Saturday.
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From experiments in retail experiences to robotics in fast casual restaurants, NRF’s Director of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen and Susan Reda, editor of STORES Magazine, discuss the trends that are likely to shape the retail landscape in 2019.
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NRF’s Director of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen discusses what NRF’s holiday consumer survey revealed about how people are giving back to the community during the holidays.
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Neiman Marcus has learned a thing or two over its 109-year history — and one thing is for sure: The company must anticipate future customer needs if they want to stay on the cutting edge of retail. Scott Emmons, head of the innovation lab, discusses how Neiman Marcus does it while staying true to its origins.
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NRF’s Director of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen is back to tell us more about one particularly interesting bit of data from the Thanksgiving weekend shopping survey: gifting trends!
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NRF’s Director of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen walks us through the biggest surprises from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, how consumer behaviors are changing this holiday season and the role of social media.
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Zenni Optical isn’t replacing the demand for glasses — it’s creating new demand by changing the business model for prescription eyewear. Zenni’s Chief Product Officer, Bai Gan, talks about the company’s mission, how it’s able to sell a pair of glasses for $7 and the retail approach that fosters rapid business growth.
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Retail is one of the most dynamic industries in the world and retailers are driving innovation. On this episode, Matt Alexander, co-founder of Neighborhood Goods, discusses how the Plano, Texas, startup is rethinking the traditional department store experience.
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We are in the early days of blockchain and not everyone yet understands the full scale and scope of its impact. Scott Likens, new services and emerging tech leader at PwC, helps us get past the buzzword and learn the current and future impact of blockchain on the retail industry.
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Everyone in the United States — and everyone who trades with the U.S. — is likely to experience the impact of the administration’s newly implemented and proposed tariffs. Small business owners and manufacturers can already feel the effects, and it’s only a matter of time before the increasing costs trickle down to consumers, employees and communities. NRF's Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jon Gold explains what retailers need to know about this complicated topic, and we hear from small business owners about how the tariffs are impacting them. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
CVS Pharmacy is a purpose-driven company dedicated to helping people on their path to better health. But that path is rapidly changing, and CVS has to change with it. President of CVS Pharmacy Kevin Hourican discusses how CVS is adapting in the face of a changing industry and, even more importantly, changing customer behaviors.
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As retail continues to evolve, online marketplaces are booming. Millions of sellers have turned to Amazon Marketplace to grow their retail business. Theo Prodromitis is the owner of Florida-based small business Spa Destinations, and she's become an expert in using Amazon's platform to her advantage.
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How can retailers bring the best of online thinking into the physical world? It’s a big question, but one retailers must tackle to give customers the experience, service and speed they will expect from retail in the future. Healey Cypher of ZIVELO is working to create the kind of tech that brings the advantages of digital into the store.
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Sur La Table is one of the nation’s largest kitchenware retailers and a huge component of the business is its culinary school — over 80 stores have a cooking school in the store taught by resident chefs, and more than 600,000 students annually take advantage of them. CEO Billy May talks about how this strategy helps Sur La Table acquire customers and keep them coming back for more.
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Nicole Panettieri is much more than a retailer – she’s an advocate for small business and her community. As the owner of The Brass Owl, a boutique in the Astoria, Queens neighborhood of New York City, Panettieri exemplifies what it means to be a community retailer that makes a real impact.
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Retail is evolving — gone are the days when a company needed was a good product or service. Now they need to create an experience, a brand and a community. To learn about how the most successful entrepreneurs do this, we talk to JJ Ramberg, the host of MSNBC's “Your Business” and the Been There. Built That. podcast.
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Shopping is no longer about visiting a store to pick up products. Consumers expect a visit to the store to be much more than browsing and checking out. Matt Corey, chief marketing officer for PGA TOUR Superstore joins this episode to discuss how the golf-focused sports store is using technology to design a stand-out experience both online and offline.
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The retail industry loves to talk trends, but SapientRazorfish’s Jason “Retailgeek” Goldberg says that many are overhyped. So what will stick? Joining us at Shop.org 2018 in Las Vegas, Goldberg chats about the retail tech trends that will gain momentum in the coming year and why a solution is in sight for the “mobile gap” problem.
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For millions of people around the world, Pinterest is the first stop on their retail journey — it’s a place to discover, get inspired and personalize. For retailers, Pinterest is an opportunity to engage with customers earlier and more often, well before a transaction takes place. To learn more about how brands of all sizes are taking advantage of this social media platform, we sit down with Amy Vener, the head of retail strategy at Pinterest.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Shopping for bras is generally an unpleasant experience — so ThirdLove takes shoppers out of awkward dressing rooms and allows them to shop for underwear at home, using data to create a more personalized shopping experience and better products. Chief Creative Officer Ra’el Cohen shares how ThirdLove is disrupting the bra industry by “taking data and using it in a really personal way.”
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Brandless is “unapologetically a brand,” says co-founder and CEO Tina Sharkey, and it’s one specifically designed to appeal to millennials. On its online platform, Brandless carries everything from applesauce to knives for no more than $3, and all products are sustainably manufactured, organic and non-GMO. On this episode, learn how Brandless makes the business model work while also donating a meal to Feeding America for every purchase.
Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
Back-to-college spending is expected to reach $55 billion this year, and many of those shopping for themselves are members of Generation Z. Katherine Cullen, NRF’s director of retail and consumer insights, discusses trends from NRF’s annual survey of back-to-class shoppers and how this generation of consumers that grew up with the internet and smartphones is shaping retail.
Learn more at www.retailgetsreal.com.
Intel is at the forefront of today’s retail revolution, driving the technology that incorporates the best of the physical and digital store. Stacey Shulman, chief innovation officer for the retail solutions division at Intel, discusses Intel’s role in retail and some macro technology trends that affect everyone in retail.
Learn more at www.retailgetsreal.com.
Boon Supply is a vertically integrated product company that gives 50 percent of each purchase to various causes and schools. It’s a disruptive new idea in the world of fundraising that already supports over 500 causes and gives $12.5 million to schools annually, and CEO Lily Kanter has some big ideas for how it can leverage capitalism to do better in the world.
Learn more at www.retailgetsreal.com.
Boon Supply is a vertically integrated product company that gives 50 percent of each purchase to various causes and schools. It’s a disruptive new idea in the world of fundraising that already supports over 500 causes and gives $12.5 million to schools annually, and CEO Lily Kanter has some big ideas for how it can leverage capitalism to do better in the world.
Learn more at www.retailgetsreal.com.
Julie Averill has been at lululemon athletica for just over a year and is still impressed by how innovative and entrepreneurial the 20-year-old company is. “It truly acts like the startup that it was,” she says. Averill talks about her role as chief technology officer — overseeing the tech that keeps the business running smoothly, from inventory and supply chain to store management and human resources — and opportunities for women to rise to top tech positions.
Learn more at www.retailgetsreal.com.
FreshPaper is a simple but powerful innovation that keeps food fresh for up to four times longer, in or out of the fridge. It started as a middle school science project inspired by an Indian home remedy, but now makes a huge impact on food waste in over 180 countries. Founder and inventor Kavita Shukla tells the story behind the product and the difference her company has made in global communities.
Learn more at www.nrf.com/retailgetsreal.
Brittany Underwood’s first visit to Uganda as a college student completely changed the course of her life. “I had never witnessed extreme poverty,” she says, and she just wanted to help. Fifteen years later, her nonprofit Akola Project helps hundreds of women through the creation, distribution and sale of handmade jewelry. In this episode, Underwood describes how Akola is on its way to achieving its mission of becoming the leading global retail brand that creates economic opportunity and transforms communities by empowering at-risk women.
Learn more at www.nrf.com/RetailGetsReal
The “do-it-for-me” segment of the home remodeling and renovation industry is worth over $200 billion annually — but it’s fragmented, with no one having the largest percentage of sales revenue between countless individual professionals and small companies. Gary Kusin, chairman and CEO of Treehouse, a sustainable home improvement company, is on a mission to transform the industry and emerge as the market leader.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
In the Spring 2018 Consumer View report, NRF takes a look at how millennial parents, now ages 24-37, are shopping differently than previous generations of moms and dads. NRF’s Head of Consumer Research Katherine Cullen presents the findings to two parents — one a millennial and the other a Gen X-er — to get real-world examples that reveal shifting consumer behavior trends. Listen to learn more about how generational differences are shaping today’s retail.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
Serving military troops, families and veterans at home and abroad, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service operates more than 2,700 facilities around the world. But when it comes to business, it’s not much different from any other retailer. “You have to innovate to survive,” says Director and CEO Tom Shull. On this episode, he discusses how the Exchange supports the military in all aspects of life and embraces innovation.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
If businesses and individuals don’t take any steps to proactively protect themselves, they are increasingly at risk online. Theresa Payton, founder of Fortalice Solutions and cybersecurity authority on the CBS show “Hunted”, discusses how old school investigative techniques can be combined with new technology to protect businesses without sacrificing convenience for consumers. Payton also shares tactics that individuals can take to protect their private information.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
Like many entrepreneurs, Stefanie Botelho created Fitzroy as a solution to a problem she faced: She was buying a lot of gifts for children, but it was tough to find something unique and special. Botelho built a recommendation engine to address the issue and adapted it for retailers as an online marketplace. Botelho’s platform now helps niche stores find emerging, independent brands that want to grow. On this episode, she discusses how it all came about.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
Sara Whiffen loves to shop, but was running out of room in her closet. Applying the sales model she saw in the auto industry to fashion, Whiffen devised a way to keep her wardrobe looking fresh. Her tech startup Rohvi helps retailers like Amy Gardner, owner of fashion boutique Scarpa, give customers a way to affordably refresh their looks by returning previously worn items for store credit. Hear how the partnership is a win-win for both retailers and customers on this episode of Retail Gets Real.
Learn more at www.nrf.com.
When co-owners Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine took over Politics and Prose seven years ago, they took on a big challenge: Growing an independent bookstore to adapt with evolving customer needs while continuing to serve the community that has supported the store for 34 years. On this episode, Graham discusses why and how they are expanding the store and how Politics and Prose engages communities throughout Washington, D.C.
After over a century, Levi’s is still making waves. Brand President James ‘JC’ Curleigh explains how the company went through a reinvention to achieve its vintage and cool status. Keeping the core customer in mind, Levi’s never stops innovating. On this episode, Curleigh demonstrates the newest collaboration with Google, a denim jacket that’s far more than it looks.
Forrester Retail Analyst Sucharita Kodali knows a thing or two about how the retail industry has evolved over the years. For one, more brands plan to open stores versus close them this year. On this episode, she presents findings from the 2018 NRF-Forrester research report “State of Retailing Online” to crush the myth of the “retail apocalypse.”
BARK, the makers of BarkBox, began where so many great companies do — in a heart-shaped bed on a cruise ship. Henrik Werdelin and his co-founders bonded over a mutual love for dogs and an obsession with making their furry family members happy. In this episode, Werdelin discusses how BARK’s dog-obsessed culture drives every facet of the business and attracts an army of similarly obsessed fans.
Ajay Kori knew nothing about the floral business. But after too many bad experiences when ordering flowers online, he devised a brand-new supply chain, from the growing process through delivery within hours of an order. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, UrbanStems CEO and co-founder Kori talks about how the startup is upending the online flower industry — and how it turned a disastrous Valentine’s Day into an advantage.
What do Warby Parker and STORY have in common? Entrepreneurs with a keen eye for innovation. Warby Parker’s Neil Blumenthal and STORY’s Rachel Shechtman come from different backgrounds, but they both built brands with a fresh take on retail. In this episode, the two friends chat about building a brand around a crazy idea, and how retailers can evolve with the changing retail landscape.
Dream job doesn’t even begin to describe Danielle DiFerdinando’s career. The young fashion designer started the Danielle Nicole brand of handbags as a student and has grown the business through partnerships with retailers like Nordstrom and HSN. In this episode, DiFerdinando talks about the thrill of working on a line of Disney and Harry Potter handbags, being named one of Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and what drives her creative spirit.
After 25 years in business, DSW is re-evaluating its strategy and adopting new retail concepts to skip ahead of the competition. CEO Roger Rawlins and CFO Jared Poff join Retail Gets Real to discuss their recent successes and where the reinvention is taking the company. Hear how DSW is fighting the “retail is dead” myth and demonstrating how the company is alive and kicking.
In 35 years of a loss prevention career, truth has sometimes been stranger than fiction. Rosamaria Sostilio, vice president of loss prevention for Barnes & Noble Inc., describes what her job involves – from asset protection to risk management – and the unique perspective she brings. Listen to Sostilio on this episode as she reveals a hidden side of retail and what it takes for a woman to rise to the top in the industry.
Two business students set out to make the bra buying experience more comfortable, affordable and accessible, establishing Harper Wilde around the concepts of simple options, fair prices and home try-ons. In this episode, co-founders Jane Fisher and Jenna Kerner discuss how they’re empowering women through revolutionizing the way bras are sold.
How do companies design smooth mobile experiences? Most retailers keep this question top of mind, and Walgreens is no different. The retailer has optimized its mobile experience for customers including Boomers, which comprise over 20 percent of Walgreens’ app users. In this episode, hear from Walgreens’ “mobile guy,” Senior Product Manager Benjamin Weiss, on how the company integrates its services into one app that eases friction in not just the shopping experience, but customers’ quality of life.
After serving urban communities for more than 20 years, plus-size fashion retailer Ashley Stewart was on the brink of closing in 2013 when investment professional James Rhee stepped in as CEO and brought the company back to life. In this episode, Rhee joins co-host Shannon Schuyler, chief purpose officer at PwC to discuss his values-based leadership style and how passion saved the company.
Kidbox, a curated clothing service for children, uses a proprietary algorithm to serve up the perfect styles. For every full box kept, the company donates new clothing to children in need. In this episode, Kidbox CEO Miki Berardelli discusses how the company thrives on a technology-first approach and dedication to charitable giving.
From humble beginnings to 4.5 million global subscribers, TechStyle brands JustFab and ShoeDazzle are now the largest subscription ecommerce brands worldwide. In this episode, JustFab and ShoeDazzle Brand President Traci Inglis discusses how operating with a startup mentality helps the brands fuel innovation through data and customer personalization.
Retail is going through rapid transformation driven by changing consumer behavior — consumers simply don’t shop the way they used to anymore. NRF’s Director of Research and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen explains generational differences in shopping habits and the consumer preferences shaping today’s retail, including trends in fulfillment and experiential retail.
Tractor Supply Company (which does not sell tractors), celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, and SVP and CIO Rob Mills says that 70 percent of its customers today shop on a mobile device for gardening equipment, supplies for animals, hardware and apparel. In this episode, Mills discusses how the company extends the product expertise it’s known for to the digital world, creating an award-winning online customer experience.
The joy of life, as Kate Ross LeBlanc feels, is being well. As CEO and Co-Founder of Saje Natural Wellness, her mission is to care for a devoted community through her line of all-natural products. LeBlanc shares her passion and some Peppermint Halo with Retail Gets Real, and outlines why service is a core pillar of her phenomenally-successful business.
Soles4Souls was established as a way to help those affected by catastrophic natural disasters. Since 2006, the non-profit social enterprise has distributed over 30 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In this episode, CEO Buddy Teaster discusses how the organization serves communities in crisis, as well as entrepreneurs in developing countries.
With all the new advancements in retail technology, it’s important for retailers to know how it applies to their business. In this episode, Salesforce SVP of Retail Industry Shelley Bransten and PwC Partner Ian Kahn discuss how retailers can leverage data to seamlessly merge the omnichannel shopping experience.
Walmart’s Store No 8 incubates cutting-edge retail technology to help people save money and live better. Lori Flees, Walmart’s SVP of Next Generation Retail and Principal of Store No 8, makes sure that America’s second largest retail company is investing in the right retail technology.
With his tenure as Executive Chairman of Macy's Inc. coming to an end, Terry Lundgren sat down with NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to discuss a decades-long career in retail and Lundgren’s rise to success. In this episode, Lundgren shares wisdom gained over the years as well as what he sees in retail’s future.
As one of the curators behind the Innovation Lab at NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show, Seth Webb of Tusk Ventures has his finger on the pulse of retail’s newest and most game-changing technology. In this episode, learn about the latest technologies showcased at NRF 2018, and how they’re poised to transform the retail industry in the not-so-distant future.
More than 37,000 retail industry professionals came to NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show this January to talk about retail trends and technology. So how does a 120-person team bring an entire industry together? SVP of Conferences Susan Newman and VP of Event Content and Education Angela Elder chat about how it all comes together and the event’s impact on the industry. NRF’s Ellen Davis co-hosts.
The owner of Gallery Furniture, Jim "Mack” McIngvale, became a Houston icon and hometown hero for his commitment to giving back, especially after he turned his stores into shelters for victims of Hurricane Harvey. McIngvale joins this episode from NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show to share why caring for the community is so important in retail. PwC's Steve Barr co-hosts.
Luke Chatelain began his career as a molecular biologist and is now West Elm’s vice president of innovation. In this episode, he explains how his background prepared him to develop forward-thinking solutions for the furniture retailer.
Carlos Mateos Jr. got his start working part-time at his father’s McDonald’s and now owns the restaurant where he first flipped burgers. In this episode, Mateos discusses his dynamic career with McDonald’s and how automation is changing the business.
HSN gives entrepreneurs a platform to sell their products to a large television audience and the prospect of finding the next innovation energizes Dara Trujillo, VP of New Business Development. In this episode, Trujillo discusses how the company elevates entrepreneurs with business education, guidance and exposure, and chats about HSN's new American Dreams Academy program.
STORES Magazine Editor Susan Reda believes that 2017 was one of the most transformative periods of retail we’ve seen in decades and predicts that 2018 will continue to be just as dynamic, with technology playing an increasingly important role for both physical and digital retailers. Listen to learn more about her retail industry predictions for 2018.
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership helps connect retailers with qualified talent. CEO Karin Norington-Reaves discusses how workforce development initiatives help job-seekers, retailers and the entire retail industry, and chats about the importance of initiatives like the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up program.
As the largest external driver of consumer need, weather is more than just a conversation-starter for retailers. Evan Gold, EVP of global services at Planalytics, helps retailers account for weather when planning their business strategy for the coming year. The trick is to remove weather effects from historical data to arrive at a “weather-neutral baseline” from which to start making sound decisions. On this episode, learn how retailers can plan for a rainy day.
BJ’s Wholesale Club has 215 stores in 16 states and sells more fresh food per member than any of its club store competitors. CEO Chris Baldwin says his company’s 5 million members shop there frequently and that BJ’s offers them immense value. In this episode, Baldwin discusses what keeps the company competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
Gregg Renfrew believes that a woman with passion can really make a difference. She is the founder and CEO of Beautycounter, a health and beauty empire that empowers women with advocacy, education and safe products. Learn how Renfrew nurtures a remarkable connection with her coalition of consultants and how the company achieved exponential growth in just five years.
NRF’s Director of Retail and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen paints a picture of what retailers can expect to see this holiday, from consumer spending to what gets people in the spirit of the season. Listen to this episode for insights on what people are buying, where they’re shopping, and what makes them choose one channel over another.
Karen Katz started as an assistant store manager in a small Neiman Marcus store; 32 years later, she is CEO of the luxury retailer. Retail “has allowed women to achieve things much faster and earlier as an industry than many other industries,” she says. Katz joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how the 110-year-old company has adapted to drastic changes in the industry with a “digital-first” approach, and how the evolution is impacting today’s retail workforce.
As director of Kohl’s Center for Retailing Excellence, Jerry O’Brien helps open the eyes of college students to the immense opportunities in retail for building fulfilling careers. His job is easier now, he says, because having grown up as digital natives helps today’s students see themselves fitting into the retail industry. On this episode, O’Brien discusses how he helps shape the retail career conversation.
Rick Schart has witnessed a great evolution in supply chain management throughout his more than 40 years in the industry. As SVP of supply chain and ecommerce for Stein Mart, he oversees everything from when a buyer places an order to when it ends up in the customer’s hands, whether it’s at a bricks-and-mortar store or directly on their doorstep through ecommerce. On this episode, Schart explains how technological sophistication and complexity make supply chain management “more like rocket science” today.
CEO Bobby Farahi’s NSFW rebelliousness shines through when he talks about Dolls Kill, the alternative fashion brand he co-founded with his wife, former DJ Shoddy Lynn. The cult-brand has fans so loyal that they camped out for the company’s first store opening. Farahi shares three strategies that worked for the brand when it comes to developing customer loyalty, and at our request, kept the conversation G-rated.
Disruption seems to be the buzzword these days, and Allbirds co-founder Joey Zwillinger found shoemaking to be ripe for the picking. With longer working hours the norm and a modern way of dressing in the workplace, Zwillinger’s innovative idea was to make a shoe that takes the customer from day to evening with “extraordinary” comfort. On this episode, Zwillinger describes how the digital startup got its foot in the door of a long-established industry with direct-to-consumer marketing.
NYU Clinical Professor of Marketing Scott Galloway’s new book explores the big four companies in retail and tech today, and what their domination means for the evolution of the retail industry. In this episode, Galloway shares his research and discusses how retailers can adapt to Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google’s power positions in the industry, along with his predictions on what’s next for Amazon.
Roy Choi was at the lowest point of his life when an idea to put tacos and his Korean heritage together beckoned him to the food truck scene. A decade later, he is on the TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World list. As the owner of multiple food trucks and restaurants with cult followings, including Kogi BBQ, Choi joins us from NRF’s Shop.org conference in Los Angeles to share how he got started and developed his business into an award-winner.
Lane Bryant is the most recognized name in plus-size clothing. As chief marketing officer, it is Brian Beitler’s job to tell the story of the brand and what it stands for. On this episode, Beitler shares how not being part of the customer base helps him listen and try harder to understand the customer. His philosophy: “Discuss in the office, decide in the store.” Learn more about how the company reinvented its brand image to appeal to modern customers and how it strives to reshape the current conversation on body equality.
Brack Sullivan and Trey Stewart, talent acquisition executives at The Home Depot, discuss how retail jobs have evolved with the changing industry and how the home improvement giant attracts top talent.
“When you think of Home Depot, you don’t really think of the seamless transactional experience that our customers are looking for and what it takes to keep that engine moving” Sullivan says. Listen to the episode to learn about the types of roles the company hires for and how it entices potential employees to choose The Home Depot to build a career.
Retail may be seen as an unconventional career path for college students in fields like computer science, data analytics and accounting, but the industry offers many opportunities for building a career. Group Vice President at Macy’s Inc. and NRF Foundation Board Member Anne Voller argues that education is the key when it comes to promoting the retail industry as an exciting option for students thinking about life after university. In this episode, Voller shares Macy’s approach to talent acquisition and how employees are trained to move through the ranks, and explains why education is so important to the future of retail employment.
Running a restaurant and delighting customers enough for them to return is no piece of cake, but Anthony Lupo and Brian Schram of Scarlet Oak and Southern Hospitality restaurants exceed expectations when it comes to creating loyal communities and happy employees. “We wanted to really focus on the hospitality side,” Lupo says about their simple concept of pairing great food with great service. On this episode, Lupo and Schram share how much hard work goes into running multiple restaurants, how social media affects the business and what they do to keep employees motivated and customers coming back for more.
Rob Colenso, senior product manager and UI/UX team lead for Total Wine & More, brings a natural curiosity and a knack for user research from his previous career as a journalist into UX design. He increased ecommerce revenue by 55 percent from last year by identifying and improving multiple touchpoints in the online consumer journey. On this episode, Colenso shares insights on how UX and product designers approach user research and shape their findings to create a seamless and emotionally enriched shopping experience.
People are at the core of any business operation, and choosing the right employees to help carry a brand forward requires a passion for the search and a knack for spotting the “right fit” for the company. On this week’s episode, Chloe Rosenthal, director of human resources for &Pizza, shares how the hiring process works at the innovative D.C. pizza chain and how these decisions play into long-term company strategy.
Myles Powell loves a challenge. Starting a food blog and entering Food Network’s “Best Cooks in America” competition were just two he took on. With a knack for seemingly uncommon flavor combinations, Powell created 8 Myles on a whim and took his passion for food all the way to quitting a job in civil engineering and becoming a full-time small biz owner. 8 Myles, a gourmet sauce and seasonings company, started locally and is fast gaining national popularity through deals with Whole Foods and Williams-Sonoma. This week, Powell describes the hard work he put in behind the scenes to get his product on retail shelves and shares juicy stories of solo entrepreneurship.
Jack Kleinhenz is a self-proclaimed “watchdog” as he collects, models and provides perspective for economic data collected on a daily basis. As the chief economist for the world’s largest retail trade organization, NRF’s Kleinhenz has over 35 years of experience and knows that numbers are not always perfect — without perspective, the data is useless. “I’m a storyteller,” he says about his profession. On this week’s episode, listen to the conversation as Kleinhenz describes the art and science of economic forecasting, and shares his views on why the perception of present retail transformation is far from the reality.
Sarween Salih had a successful consulting career, but her undeniable passion was for fitness and fashion. She started an athleisure company as a pop-up in the back of a gym where she was teaching fitness classes, which ultimately led to a permanent storefront in Washington, D.C. Listen to this week’s episode to hear how this small retailer is building a scalable business.
Consumption-oriented retail concepts like shopping malls are transitioning to experience-based urban developments like CityCenterDC in the heart of downtown Washington. The mixed-use property is a unique draw for residents and visitors alike, including international tourists. On this week’s episode, hear from CityCenterDC General Manager Timothy Lowery and Hines Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Whitney Burns as they describe the inner workings of large urban developments and how their public space appeals to a wide variety of customers. From free yoga classes and farmers markets that attract foot traffic to strategic brand selection, Lowery and Burns explain how they’ve worked with retailers and the community to create the hottest space in town.
Lobbyists have to counter many misconceptions, and you might be surprised to hear that “a good lobbyist is really ethical,” says David French, NRF’s senior vice president of government affairs. On this week’s episode, French joins NRF’s Bill Thorne and Susan Reda for a candid discussion about how lobbying works and how NRF helps tell the story of retail on Capitol Hill. French describes how he communicates with members of Congress and members of the world’s largest retail trade association.
Cary Kelly’s passion for cooking led the former executive coach to open her first food retail business. Over the years, Kelly and her company have evolved constantly to stay on top of changing trends. Rebranding her culinary marketplace as The Cookery and customizing each location to suit the neighborhood has helped the company’s stores gain a loyal following. On this week’s episode, Kelly explains why she measures success by employee and customer satisfaction and shares lessons learned from expanding her business.
STORES Magazine Editor Susan Reda has covered retail through its glory days and challenging times. Reda shares how companies on the 2017 list of Top 100 Retailers constantly innovate to stay relevant, using technology and customer insights to provide compelling omnichannel shopping experiences. Listen to this week’s episode to learn which companies top this year’s list, and hear Reda’s predictions for the next big trend in retail.
Bluemercury has 140 stores across the United States and is opening three new locations every week. On this episode, co-founder and COO Barry Beck explains how the brand stays ahead of changing retail trends. While technology is an important part of the experience, Beck says success is more about understanding evolving consumer behavior. Listen to this week’s episode to hear more about the company’s strategy and Beck’s views on the future of retail.
If you’re the type of guy who’s getting rid of your last piece of IKEA furniture, you probably want your clothes to fit properly. Philip Soriano had a career in corporate finance when he discovered that men’s dress shirts just don’t fit as advertised and decided to do something about it. Soriano’s company, Hugh & Crye, has found success by taking a different approach to sizing and listening to what customers want. On this week’s episode, Soriano shares his entrepreneurial journey — from starting an e-commerce business to expanding offline — with co-hosts Bill Thorne and Tony Fontana. Listen to Soriano’s advice on starting a business, growing a brand and deciding where to invest resources.
Shopping is changing, and that means the way retailers do business is changing, too. On this week’s episode, NRF co-hosts Bill Thorne and Jessica Hibbard talk with former Macy’s CMO Martine Reardon and NRF’s Ellen Davis about the evolution of the industry. To successfully compete and offer experiences that delight consumers, retailers are placing an emphasis on recruitment and talent development. The NRF Foundation is helping job seekers connect with these retail career opportunities with an education and credentialing program called RISE Up.
A retail store may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a world-renowned publishing company like National Geographic. But Jill Dvorak, director of merchandising and marketing at National Geographic Partners, loves the challenge of connecting merchandise to the brand’s ethos of exploration.
In this week’s episode, Dvorak sits down with NRF’s Artemis Berry, Jessica Hibbard and Bill Thorne to share her retail career story and discuss the connection between content, community and commerce. We also talk about marketing in the digital age, keeping up with online marketing trends and how social media has impacted e-commerce.
For most people, ice cream is an edible treat. For Victoria Lai, it’s a passion and a business. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, co-hosts Bill Thorne and Tony Fontana sit down with the owner and founder of Ice Cream Jubilee, a Washington, D.C., company that has been on more than one list of top ice cream shops in America. Lai shares her experiences developing unique ice cream flavors and growing her small retail business.
Lai’s story starts with an enthusiastic headfirst dive into the world of food manufacturing and retail. We hear how her brand’s growth has coincided with the development of her shop’s D.C. neighborhood, and what she’s learned about expansion, customer satisfaction and the importance of social media.
Just when retailers thought they understood Generation X and had figured out how to reach Millennials, here comes Gen Z.
The rise of social media and evolving technologies have ushered in rapid change, and a new generation will bring even more upheaval. On this week’s episode of Retail Gets Real, we look at the latest research on Generation Z and what retailers need to know about these young consumers.
Join our hosts as they chat with Mark Mathews, vice president of research development and industry analysis at the National Retail Federation, about Millennial and Gen Z consumers.
Making a doughnut isn't just about following a recipe; baking a delicious pastry requires a bit of philosophy, too. Learn all about it on this episode of Retail Gets Real: NRF's Bill Thorne and Jessica Hibbard discuss entrepreneurship and geek out about food with Greg Menna, co-founder and CEO of District Doughnut in Washington, D.C. Greg shares what he's learned from launching his company.
With a strong focus on quality, Greg and his business partners have created a growing brand seeking to reinvent a beloved treat. From starting the business to refining the menu and opening new locations, Greg talks about the power of passion, craftsmanship and community. We also find out where Greg turns for advice — and why he sometimes ignores it.
Large retailers like Walmart have an international presence, including hundreds of stores in China. No two countries shop alike, but a strong connection with the community is important no matter where you’re opening a business.
Maggie Sans, former senior vice president and chief corporate affairs officer for Walmart in China, joins NRF's Bill Thorne and Sarah Rand for a candid discussion about doing business outside the United States. Maggie shares her retail career story and explains the importance of community relations when it comes to establishing a global retail presence.
The products on the shelves might change, but Walmart maintains a strong, consistent brand regardless of location. Maggie shares the challenges of understanding China’s unique and sophisticated shopping culture, along with the cross-cultural learning experiences of adapting to international markets.
Retail impacts everyone, every day, everywhere. Join the National Retail Federation for authentic, insightful conversations with the industry's most interesting people. Hear retail executives, industry experts, entrepreneurs and influencers discuss trends, their career stories and the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.