Retail Gets Real

Hosted by National Retail Federation

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419

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Oct 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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October 20, 202618 min

422. Wayfair’s Fiona Tan on innovation and leadership

Technology is transforming how consumers shop, but the most exciting innovations aren't just about making things faster or easier; they're about creating experiences that better reflect what customers actually want. Wayfair Chief Technology Officer Fiona Tan joins Retail Gets Real to discuss the future of retail technology, the importance of building strong teams and how retailers can embrace innovation while keeping customers at the center of everything they do. (00:00:00) From technology to retail (00:05:06) Building strong teams through effective leadership (00:09:00) The rewards of solving problems in retail (00:10:17) Navigating technology and innovation in retail (00:14:22) How AI is reshaping shopping and product discovery 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: • Read the NRF Foundation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future for 2027 • Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC • 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: • 421: How Nuuly is shaping the future of fashion rental • 414: Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s • 384: The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth

October 6, 202628 min

421. How Nuuly is shaping the future of fashion rental

Fashion rental is changing how consumers think about their closets, and Nuuly has been helping shape that shift since launching in 2019. Kim Gallagher, executive director of marketing and customer success at Nuuly, discusses the origins of the rental business, the importance of staying close to customers, and why moving quickly and decisively matters in retail. She also shares her approach to leadership and what changing consumer behaviors could mean for the future of the industry. (00:00:00) From the service industry to retail (00:05:35) Building Nuuly around the customer (00:13:25) Taking risks and leading through change (00:23:20) Keeping up with changing customer behavior 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: • Get ready for NRF 2027: Retail’s Big Show in NYC • Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association • Learn about the 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 • 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change • 403: Building a people-first culture in modern retail with Ulta Beauty

September 23, 202621 min

420. Inside this year’s Halloween spending trends

Halloween is no longer just one spooky night in October. NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller joins Retail Gets Real to unpack the latest Halloween data, from consumer spending and earlier shopping to costumes, candy and how economic concerns are shaping the season. (00:00:00) Why Halloween shopping is starting earlier (00:05:59) When is it too early for Halloween? (00:09:23) The great Halloween candy debate (00:13:49) What’s trending in Halloween costumes 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: • Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC • 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: • 397: What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025 • 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending • 410: Inside the art of experiential retail at Hershey’s

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