Retail Gets Real

Hosted by National Retail Federation

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417

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Jul 2026

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About the show

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.

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July 28, 202627 min

419. Inside Target's approach to brand collaborations

Creative collaborations have become a powerful and fresh way to connect with consumers, but the most successful partnerships are about far more than celebrity names or limited-edition products. Gigi Guerra, vice president of marketing and creative curation at Target, shares how thoughtful storytelling, guest insights and authentic partnerships come together to create moments that resonate across generations. (00:00:00) From fashion design to leading iconic retail brands (00:09:21) The strategy behind Target's biggest collaborations (00:14:43) Creating collaborations people can't wait to experience (00:18:19) Why the best collaborations create lasting memories (00:21:55) How social media shapes modern retail collaborations 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: • Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association • Learn more from retail’s most innovative leaders at an NRF event . • Learn about retail education and training from the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org • Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy • Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com Related: • 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success • 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping

June 30, 202625 min

418. How Hanna Andersson built a brand families trust

Hanna Andersson has spent decades building a reputation for quality children's apparel that families trust and pass down from generation to generation. Aimée Lapic, CEO of Hanna Andersson, joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how the company continues to grow while staying true to its mission of championing childhood. (00:00:00) A customer-first career in retail (00:03:51) Leadership through teamwork and authenticity (00:08:50) Designing a brand around childhood (00:11:20) Turning resale into a competitive advantage (00:15:32) Building a culture designed for working families (00:20:24) What keeps customers coming back 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: • 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: • 412: How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun • 360: How Kendra Scott’s ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision transforms communities

June 17, 202625 min

417. The evolution of outlet shopping in a changing retail landscape

Outlet 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 future 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: • 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: • 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer • 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping

June 2, 202624 min

416. Inside Stanley 1913’s evolution from utility to lifestyle

What 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 Stanley 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: • 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: • 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change • 350: Comfort, collaboration and imaginative innovation at Crocs

May 19, 202618 min

415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest

Retail 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 economist 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: • 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: • 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

May 5, 202629 min

414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s

Digital 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 retail 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: • 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.com Related: • 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change • 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers

April 21, 202627 min

413. Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change

From 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 growth 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: • 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.com Related: • 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

April 7, 202630 min

412. How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun

Brieane 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 now 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: • 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.com Related: • 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer • 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale

March 24, 202626 min

411. Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer

Retail 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 buying 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: • 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.com Related: • 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping • 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale

March 17, 202624 min

410. Inside the art of experiential retail at Hershey’s

Retail 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 creatives 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: • 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: • 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending • 367: How Kraft Heinz deploys omnichannel strategies across emerging global markets