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 t...
Aug 17, 2021•27 min•Ep. 233
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. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
Aug 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 232
With its debut on Target store shelves in the spring, a whole new group of consumers has been introduced to Grove Collaborative this year. We're talking with Grove Collaborative Co-Founder and CEO Stu Landesberg about the evolution of the natural products company, from starting as a direct-to-consumer retailer, to developing new products, to teaming up with one of the biggest retailers in the country. We'll hear from Stu about the efforts to grow the business and help consumers live a more susta...
Aug 03, 2021•31 min•Ep. 231
As more of the country gets vaccinated against COVID-19, weddings are starting to fill the calendar once again. Some are even predicting that we're entering a wedding boom. No one has their finger on the pulse of weddings more than our guest today, Jim Marcum, CEO of David's Bridal. We're going to talk about how the company approached digital innovation during the pandemic and the company's focus as more couples gather their friends together, along with their families, to say, “I do.” Learn more...
Jul 27, 2021•28 min•Ep. 230
It’s the time of year for out-of-office notifications. Since it's vacation season, we're going to talk about how to turn off work and recharge. We all know it's important, but this is something a lot of people just don't do very well. It's also something our friends at the NRF Foundation have been asking industry executives about in their 20 questions episodes over the past several months. We’re going to explore some of those answers now to see how different successful people manage to turn off ...
Jul 20, 2021•25 min•Ep. 229
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 ....
Jul 13, 2021•27 min•Ep. 228
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 .
Jul 06, 2021•32 min•Ep. 227
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 ....
Jun 29, 2021•23 min•Ep. 226
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 .
Jun 22, 2021•28 min•Ep. 225
Rob Mills, Exec VP/Chief Technology & Strategy Officer at Tractor Supply Company on retail acceleration, family and what’s next for Tractor Supply Company. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Jun 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 224
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 ....
Jun 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 223
As we head towards NRF’s newest event, NRF Retail Converge, we’re highlighting a few speakers you’ll hear from at the event. Mark Irvin, Best Buy’s Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Talent Officer, joined Retail Gets Real earlier this year for a conversation. Originally released March 2, 2021. Best Buy’s Mark Irvin, is working hard to build and maintain an inclusive work environment for the 125,000 employees that work at Best Buy. In this episode, he talks about his path to the role and the retail...
Jun 01, 2021•30 min•Ep. 222
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 ....
May 25, 2021•26 min•Ep. 221
When Ten Thousand Villages opened its doors in 1946, it was a fair trade pioneer, offering ethically-sourced, handmade products, crafted by artisans from developing countries. In today's episode, we're speaking with their CEO, Gordon Zook, about how the organization continues its mission, helping to positively impact the life and community of its makers and villages around the world, even as consumers and the world of retail evolve. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
May 18, 2021•24 min•Ep. 220
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 .
May 11, 2021•28 min•Ep. 219
Torrance Hart is the founder of Teak & Twine, a small business making it easy to send thoughtfully curated gifts to just about anyone. A veteran-owned business, Teak & Twine is one of the featured businesses in NRF Foundation and Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight. Torrance talks about growing Teak & Twine and how uplifting other brands. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
May 04, 2021•26 min•Ep. 218
Today's guest, Rob Smith, is on a mission to challenge boundaries with humanity. That’s the overarching goal of The Phluid Project, a gender-free fashion brand that works to foster community and acceptance in the industry. Smith, The Phluid Project's founder and CEO, discusses his inspirations for building the company, its purpose-driven evolution, and what the future holds for himself, his brand, and the retail world he aims to transform. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
Apr 27, 2021•28 min•Ep. 217
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 .
Apr 20, 2021•30 min•Ep. 216
Many of us who work in corporate environments haven't touched our business attire in a year. As we work from home, stretchy pants have become the new business casual. Today's guest is Brian Kennedy, Vice President of Operations at Ministry of Supply, an apparel brand that specializes in reengineering business attire for the modern professional. We talk with Brian about how Ministry of Supply shifted gears during the pandemic, what the last year has been like for business, and what's ahead for th...
Apr 13, 2021•26 min•Ep. 215
The past several months have been a whirlwind of growth and change for the retail industry, including in how people pay for things. Today we’re talking about buy now, pay later with Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO and co-founder of Klarna, which partners with thousands of retailers in the United States and across the globe to offer new payment options. He offers his unique take on the retail landscape and what he's seeing for the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
Apr 06, 2021•31 min•Ep. 214
NRF's annual consumer survey for Easter showed Americans would drop $21.6 billion during Easter this year. As we examine the data and take a closer look at what's driving holiday spending and the consumers' pulse, progress continues on vaccinating millions across the country. Katherine Cullen, NRF Senior Director of Industry & Consumer Insights, shares what we need to know about the upcoming holiday. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Mar 30, 2021•23 min•Ep. 213
Susan Reda and Jill Dvorak from NRF's Content and Retail Strategies team discuss the retail trends popping up around remote work, including how retailers keep their teams engaged and how leadership is taking on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Mar 23, 2021•30 min•Ep. 212
As we've seen over the past several years, the retailers that adapt and evolve with consumer behavior have thrived, even in challenging times. But what about the mall? Jill Renslow, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Mall of America, shares her perspective on how the mall was faring during a pandemic and what the future holds for both the Mall of America and malls across the country. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
Mar 16, 2021•27 min•Ep. 211
The National Retail Federation recently published its annual retail sales forecast for 2021 , projecting that retail sales will grow between 6.5 and 8.2 percent, to more than $4.3 trillion in 2021. In this episode, NRF’s Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz, shares what goes into the forecasting process and what is likely to impact consumer spending this year. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com ....
Mar 09, 2021•26 min•Ep. 210
Best Buy Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Talent Officer Mark Irvin is working hard to build and maintain an inclusive work environment for the 125,000 employees that work at Best Buy. In this episode, he talks about his path to the role and the retailer's approach to attracting, retaining, and growing a diverse talent pool. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Mar 02, 2021•30 min•Ep. 209
While most people aren't crowding the bar these days, Jomaree Pinkard knows that the pandemic doesn't have to stop you from savoring a delicious cocktail. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hella Cocktail Co., which makes cocktail mixers and bitters that are sold online and through partner retail stores across the United States, and even offered on Delta Airlines flights. Prior to the pandemic at least half of Hella Cocktail’s business came from the foodservice and hospitality industry. Leaning int...
Feb 23, 2021•29 min•Ep. 208
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 h...
Feb 16, 2021•27 min•Ep. 207
In a year unlike any other, how have the behaviors of consumers changed around holidays? Katherine Cullen of NRF's Research Team shares some insights about what consumers are planning to do for Valentine’s Day this year. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Feb 09, 2021•22 min•Ep. 206
Farmgirl Flowers CEO Christina Stembel shares how she built her business from the ground up, created growth in a challenging year, and inspired countless Instagram-worthy moments and memories for customers. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com .
Feb 02, 2021•30 min•Ep. 205
After a truly tense election, and a chaotic and unruly start to 2021 in the nation's capital, the country remains divided as ever. But nevertheless, there is work to be done. A new administration means new retail policy priorities for 2021, and David French, NRF's Senior Vice President of Government Relations, who was recently recognized as one of the top lobbyists by “The Hill,” knows all about what to expect. He’s going to share what matters most for retailers and how NRF plans to work to make...
Jan 26, 2021•21 min•Ep. 204
