Retail Gets Real
349 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 83 ratingsRetail impacts everyone, everywhere, every day. 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.
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Episodes
#147 2020 retail industry trend forecast
December 02, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 37.4 MBRe-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. Learn more at retailgetsr...
#146 2019’s holiday shopping outlook
November 25, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBKatherine 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#145 Behind the scenes of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 18, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 36 MBThe 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#144 How SHOWFIELDS redefines the store experience
November 11, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 32 MBWhat 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#143 How Hawthorne sells men’s personal care to a “clueless” consumer
November 04, 2019 11:00 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MBMen'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.
#142 How tariffs are impacting retailers
October 28, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 31.6 MBAs 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#141 Ministry of Supply CEO Aman Advani: The scientific method of fashion
October 21, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MBMinistry 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#140 The 2019 Holiday Forecast
October 14, 2019 10:00 - 19 minutes - 27.7 MBNRF 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.
#139 Designing the store for a digital-first consumer
October 07, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBOriginal 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#138 How Take Care creates an oasis for wellness
September 30, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBTake 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#137 Zulily’s Brian Doherty: Creating unique experiences
September 23, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 32.4 MBWinning 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
#136 Drybar CMO Sarah Hoffmann on experiential retail
September 16, 2019 10:00 - 27 minutes - 31.3 MBDrybar 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#135 The store of the future with WD Partners’ Lee Peterson
September 09, 2019 10:00 - 27 minutes - 31.7 MBRetailers 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#134 How True Value Hardware continues to innovate
September 03, 2019 10:00 - 32 minutes - 37 MBHardware 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#133 Getting personalization right
August 26, 2019 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThe 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#132 How retailers can prepare for the workforce of the future
August 19, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 30.4 MBDemographic, 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#131: How Lilly Pulitzer stays fresh for a new generation
August 12, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBA 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#130: 3 elements for creating extraordinary retail experiences
August 05, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBJeffrey 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#129 Tips for future-proofing today’s retail
July 29, 2019 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBRetail 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#128 How Gap Inc.’s LP leader also helps preserve the planet
July 22, 2019 10:00 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBAs 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#127 Data privacy and the customer experience
July 15, 2019 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBAs 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.
#126 Cuyana: Scaling a brand built on ‘fewer, better’
July 08, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBCuyana 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#125 How KiwiCo’s growth is fueled by kids’ creativity
July 01, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBSandra 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.
#124 How thredUP is changing secondhand fashion
June 24, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBShopping 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#123 How b8ta is reimagining the retail model
June 17, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MBB8ta’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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#122 The Rothy’s formula for success
June 10, 2019 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBShoe 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#121 Facebook: Where social media and shopping intersect
June 03, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBSocial 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#120 Sephora’s winning customer experience formula
May 27, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MB“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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#119 How CAVA keeps fast-casual food fresh
May 20, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBKeeping 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 ...
#118: How Framebridge is shaping retail’s future
May 13, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBToday’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. Le...
#117 Practicing cyber resiliency in the digital age
May 06, 2019 10:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBThe 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#116 Building communities in and out of the store
April 29, 2019 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBStarting 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#115 Chief protector: Inside the business of loss prevention
April 22, 2019 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBMike 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#114 Engaging consumers in a channel-less world
April 15, 2019 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBRetail 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 bra...
#113 R.Riveter: Empowering military spouses
April 08, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBDuring 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#112 How tech is evolving the customer experience at HSN, QVC and Zulily
April 01, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBKaren 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.
#111 Poshmark challenges the norms of traditional retail
March 25, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBSocial 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#110 MM.Lafleur empowers women in the workplace
March 18, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MBMM.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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#109 Logistically speaking: Wayfair’s innovative supply chain
March 11, 2019 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBAs 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#108 Nordstrom sets the standard for customer experience. Again and again.
March 04, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBNordstrom 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal...
#107 The art and science of personalization at Zulily
February 25, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBZulily 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.
#106 Reinventing the Getaway
February 18, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBGetaway 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#105 Investing in creativity: Perfumer Jo Malone’s fighting second chance
February 11, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBJo 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#104 Birchbox CEO on the evolution of the disruptive beauty brand
February 04, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBBeauty 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 Kat...
#103 The very near future of AI and automation in retail
January 30, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MBAutomation 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#102 Walmart's CTO on digital transformation
January 28, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBHow 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.
#101 Better together: IKEA and TaskRabbit
January 23, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBPartnerships 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#100 Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO on leadership and service
January 21, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBIn 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#99 Levi Strauss & Co.’s Chip Bergh: Reviving a brand that stands for something
January 16, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBLevi’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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.
#98 Reporting on retail: What’s changing in 2019 and beyond
January 14, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBPeople 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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.