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.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
3w ago00:29:16Tap 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
Transcribe →407. Inside Sweetwater’s people-first approach to retail innovation
Feb 2400:34:12Tap to summarizeAs 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 worldThe 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.comRelated:• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience• 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers
Transcribe →406. The rise of smart retail merchandising
Feb 1700:22:09Tap to summarizeTechnology 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 experiencesThe 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.comRelated:• 399: Inside Retail’s Big Show: Innovation, AI and what’s coming next• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience
Transcribe →405. The cultural forces shaping tomorrow’s consumer
Feb 1000:32:53Tap to summarizeCassandra 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 attentionThe 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.comRelated:• 400: How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025• 374: Get ahead of the future of retail
Transcribe →