Consumers have been gobbling up Butterball turkey for decades, and they’re thankful for the company’s connection to its customers. Al Jansen, Butterball’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, joins us to talk about Thanksgiving traditions, the famous Turkey Talk-Line and sharing holiday stories. Food brings people together — and this episode brings together the best of retail, family and fun. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:02:45) The Butterball Team (00:04:06) Butterball’s core...

Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer at IKEA U.S., shares his 25-year career journey at the company, what he loves most about his job and how he stays current in the ever-evolving retail industry. We also talk about IKEA’s commitment to sustainability and how it’s good business to be a good business.  (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:42) Quiñones’ career journey  (00:05:06) IKEA’s commitment to sustainability  (00:14:46) What Quiñones loves most about his job  (00:20:59)...

Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer at IKEA U.S., shares his 25-year career journey at the company, what he loves most about his job and how he stays current in the ever-evolving retail industry. We also talk about IKEA’s commitment to sustainability and how it’s good business to be a good business. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:42) Quiñones’ career journey (00:05:06) IKEA’s commitment to sustainability (00:14:46) What Quiñones loves most about his job (00:20:59)...

Cory Onell, executive vice president and chief omnichannel sales and Asian emerging markets officer at Kraft Heinz, talks about how his company adapts and innovates omnichannel strategies for different global markets. He also shares his four-pronged leadership approach, his perspective on work-life balance and the advice that shaped his career. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:46) Cory’s Career Journey (00:05:06) The Omnichannel Approach In Emerging Markets (00:09:46) Kraft Heinz’s Online...

Cory Onell, executive vice president and chief omnichannel sales and Asian emerging markets officer at Kraft Heinz, talks about how his company adapts and innovates omnichannel strategies for different global markets. He also shares his four-pronged leadership approach, his perspective on work-life balance and the advice that shaped his career.  (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:46) Cory’s Career Journey (00:05:06) The Omnichannel Approach In Emerging Markets  (00:09:46) Kraft Heinz’s...

Organized retail crime is an issue that plagues retailers — and offenders are only getting more sophisticated. Representative Glenn Ivey, D-Md., and Angela Hofmann, head of government relations for JCPenney, explain what organized retail crime really means and how it’s evolved over the years. Plus, we discuss the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and how it's counteracting this insidious trend. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:25) What Is Organized Retail Crime? (00:06:02) The Evolution...

Organized retail crime is an issue that plagues retailers — and offenders are only getting more sophisticated. Representative Glenn Ivey, D-Md., and Angela Hofmann, head of government relations for JCPenney, explain what organized retail crime really means and how it’s evolved over the years. Plus, we discuss the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and how it's counteracting this insidious trend.  (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:25) What Is Organized Retail Crime?  (00:06:02) The...

It’s spooky season, and here’s the real treat — Halloween spending is projected to hit nearly $12 billion. Katherine Cullen, NRF's vice president of industry and consumer insights, talks about Halloween spending trends, popular costumes, why consumers are shopping early and who is most excited to celebrate this October. Plus, a look at expected winter holiday consumer spending. (00:00:38) Introductions (00:02:45) Why People Shop Early (00:04:39) Halloween Spending Projections (00:07:28) The...

It’s spooky season, and here’s the real treat — Halloween spending is projected to hit nearly $12 billion. Katherine Cullen, NRF's vice president of industry and consumer insights, talks about Halloween spending trends, popular costumes, why consumers are shopping early and who is most excited to celebrate this October. Plus, a look at expected winter holiday consumer spending. (00:00:38) Introductions (00:02:45) Why People Shop Early  (00:04:39) Halloween Spending Projections  (00:07:28)...

Anjana Harve serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, where she leads technology innovation at the high-frequency club store. In this episode, Harve joins us to talk about the BJ’s member experience, how the company is leveraging AI, her personal career journey and what’s on the horizon for tech and retail. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:28) Anjana’s Career Journey (00:05:45) The Membership Model (00:08:27) How BJ’s Is Leveraging AI (00:16:10)...

Anjana Harve serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, where she leads technology innovation at the high-frequency club store.  In this episode, Harve joins us to talk about the BJ’s member experience, how the company is leveraging AI, her personal career journey and what’s on the horizon for tech and retail. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:28) Anjana’s Career Journey (00:05:45) The Membership Model (00:08:27) How BJ’s Is Leveraging AI ...

Embracing technology and innovation is key for global active lifestyle brand Fabletics. Chief Operating Officer Meera Bhatia shares how she is driving digital advances at Fabletics, her extraordinary career journey in tech and how AI can be used across functions. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Embracing technology and innovation is key for global active lifestyle brand Fabletics. Chief Operating Officer Meera Bhatia shares how she is driving digital advances at Fabletics, her extraordinary career journey in tech and how AI can be used across functions. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Homefield is a collegiate apparel company specializing in vintage-inspired designs that offers licensed t-shirts, fleece, jackets and headwear from more than 200 universities. We talk to Co-founder and CEO Connor Hitchcock about how he started Homefield at age 23, why he doesn’t follow the usual marketing playbook, how the company creates unique customer experiences and his plans for future growth. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Homefield is a collegiate apparel company specializing in vintage-inspired designs that offers licensed t-shirts, fleece, jackets and headwear from more than 200 universities. We talk to Co-founder and CEO Connor Hitchcock about how he started Homefield at age 23, why he doesn’t follow the usual marketing playbook, how the company creates unique customer experiences and his plans for future growth.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Born between 1998 and 2012, Generation Z is estimated to encompass more than 2 billion people worldwide and are the first group of consumers to be born entirely within the digital age. Rachel Bonsignore, vice president of NIQ Consumer Life, answers our questions about Gen Z consumers: how they differ from other generations and what retailers can do to connect with this group. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 346: Kendra Scott started her eponymous jewelry company in Austin, Texas, 22 years ago with a clear vision in place: to create a fashion-for-philanthropy business. In this episode, Kendra Scott CEO Tom Nolan talks about his first Kendra Cares event, his extraordinary career journey and why he took a role in leading the business. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 314: LePrix co-founder and CMO Emily Erkel shares how she took the leap to start her own business, the importance of authentication in luxury resale and her focus on smart growth. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 340: Live from Retail’s Big Show in New York City—Caleb Pearson, VP of US customer engagement at McDonald's, talks about his career journey, McDonald's extremely popular app and how McDonald's uses digital strategies to keep customers of all generations coming back. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The increase in both the severity and the unpredictable nature of weather has significant ramifications for retailers on multiple fronts, including sales, infrastructure and supply chains. Evan Gold, executive vice president, global partnerships and alliances at business weather intelligence firm Planalytics, shares findings from NRF and Planalytics’ most recent report, “Climate-Proofing Retail.” We’ll also discuss the practical steps individual companies can take to manage the related...

Solo Brands is a leading outdoor lifestyle company offering innovative products designed to bring people together and make memories. We talk to Michael McGoohan, chief growth officer at Solo Brands and president of Solo Stove, about his career background spanning multiple industries, his new position at Solo Brands and what growth will look like for the group of outdoor lifestyle brands.   Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The first-ever Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific 2024 successfully wrapped up in Singapore with stellar attendance and a resounding impact on the future of retail. Martine Reardon, senior advisor for retail insights and content creation for NRF, discusses the exciting inaugural event, key insights from the programming, and what she’s looking forward to when NRF hosts an even bigger Big Show APAC next year, June 3-5, 2025. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

It is estimated that by 2028, the global secondhand market will reach $350 billion. ThredUp co-founder and CEO James Reinhart talks about the rising demand for resale, the outlook for the secondhand industry in America and around the world, and his uniquely formed approach to leadership. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Kate Ancketill, CEO and founder of GDR Creative Intelligence, talks about the current trends in technologies impacting retail, the impressive pace of innovation in the industry, and what gives her hope for the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.