Podcast
Retail Gets Real
Hosted by National Retail Federation · EN
Retail 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.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
417. The evolution of outlet shopping in a changing retail landscape
3w ago00:25:39Tap to summarizeOutlet 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 futureThe 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.comRelated:• 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
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416. Inside Stanley 1913’s evolution from utility to lifestyle
Jun 200:24:58Tap to summarizeWhat 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 StanleyThe 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.comRelated:• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change• 350: Comfort, collaboration and imaginative innovation at Crocs
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415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest
May 1900:18:00Tap to summarizeRetail 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 economistThe 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.comRelated:• 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
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414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
May 500:29:16Tap to summarizeDigital 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 retailThe 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.comRelated:• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change• 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers
Transcribe →413. Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
Apr 2100:27:45Tap to summarizeFrom 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 growthThe 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.comRelated:• 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
Transcribe →412. How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun
Apr 700:30:15Tap to summarizeBrieane 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 nowThe 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.comRelated:• 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale
Transcribe →411. Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer
Mar 2400:26:49Tap to summarizeRetail 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 buyingThe 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.comRelated:• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale
Transcribe →410. Inside the art of experiential retail at Hershey’s
Mar 1700:24:15Tap to summarizeRetail 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 creativesThe 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.comRelated:• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending• 367: How Kraft Heinz deploys omnichannel strategies across emerging global markets
Transcribe →409. Inside REI’s strategy for trust, community, and growth
Mar 1000:30:05Tap to summarizeLeadership 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 retailThe 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.comRelated:• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience• 380: How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand
Transcribe →408. How Coach puts the consumer at the center of brand growth
Mar 300:27:21Tap to summarizeAt 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 retailThe 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.comRelated:• 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
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