Retail Gets Real (National Retail Federation)

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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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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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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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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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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.

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.

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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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.

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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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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

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.

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.

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.

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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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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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

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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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.”

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Emily Erkel, Co-Founder and CMO and LePrix, talks about 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. 

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.

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

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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

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.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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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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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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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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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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.

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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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.

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.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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