Small business consultant, boutique co-owner and podcaster Kathy Cruz is already a very busy woman. But recently, she added retail advocate to her title. This summer, Kathy flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress in support of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance credit card competition and choice in order to reduce excessive credit card fees. On this episode, NRF’s Senior Director of Grassroots Meghan Keivel Cruz talks to Kathy about her growing business,...

Ulta Beauty has been reinventing beauty retail since opening its first five “beauty destination” stores in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1990. More recently, the company has focused on transforming the customer experience digitally and online. In this episode, NRF’s Susan Reda speaks with Chief Digital Officer Prama Bhatt about her career journey, how the beauty retail brand has used digital tools to continue to innovate and personalize the customer experience, and what’s next in...

Greenwich St. Jewelers has been a Manhattan mainstay for almost 50 years, providing customers with superlative service and luxury without pretension. Founded by Puerto Rican immigrants, the family business has overcome obstacles including 9/11, the financial crisis and the pandemic. On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jennifer Gandia, co-owner of the family business she runs with her sister, about the process behind rebranding a legacy brand while maintaining its heritage and growing from...

Total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion, according to NRF’s annual survey, and a record number of people (73%) will participate in Halloween-related activities this year, up from 69% in 2022. To get us in the Halloween spirit, we’re talking to Katherine Cullen, NRF’s vice president of industry and consumer insights, for insights into what’s driving Halloween spending trends and factors that might impact winter holiday...

Untuckit was born when Chris Riccobono couldn’t find a shirt that looked good when he wore it untucked. Riccobono founded the American casual men’s apparel company in 2010; today the brand is about to sell its 12 millionth shirt. Now Riccobono has launched a new venture: Greatness Wins was created as a response to Riccobono’s dissatisfaction with athletic and performance wear. Chris joins us to talk about his entrepreneurial background, the growth strategies for his two brands, the importance...

If the adage “All politics are local” is true, then state retail association executives really are the first line of defense for retail public policy and government relations activity in state capitols across the nation. On today’s special episode, recorded live at the Council of State Retail Associations meeting, three state retail association executives, including Gordon M. Gough of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Rachel Michelin of the California Retailers Association and Scott...

As Congress returns from August recess, it will be considering policies that could have a profound impact on retailers, their employees and their communities. David French, NRF’s senior vice president of government relations, returns to the show to provide an update on important policy issues and legislation currently making its way through Congress, including bills to fight organized retail crime and tame excessive credit card swipe fees, as well as the prospects of immigration reform and...

For 46 years, The Vitamin Shoppe has been helping customers be their best selves, however they define it. Innovation and technology have played a major role in the company’s growth, and on today’s episode, Andrew Laudato, EVP and COO of The Vitamin Shoppe, talks about that growth and adding stores through franchises, today’s definition of omnichannel and why technology is just a tool for creating better customer experiences.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Emily Erkel, Co-Founder and CMO and LePrix, talks about the resale landscape, starting and evolving her unique business for today's demands, her team's focus for the coming year and what the future of retail really looks like.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Back-to-school spending is expected to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion, up from $36.9 billion last year; back-to-college spending is expected to hit $94 billion, about $20 billion more than last year’s record. On today’s show, Rachel Bonsignore, vice president of GfK Consumer Life, talks about what’s driving back-to-class shopping this season, how Generation Alpha’s Millennial parents are being influenced, and what’s motivating consumer behavior among the generations. Dig into the data at...

Replay from Retail Gets Real episode 281: Christopher Thomas-Moore, senior vice president of customer and store experiences at Domino’s, joins the show to discuss his career journey, how the company leads when it comes to innovation, and the future of the quick service restaurant industry.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

On today’s show, Nasrin Mostafazadeh, co-founder of AI company Verneek, talks about building AI platforms for retailers to enhance the customer experience, puts the current AI buzz into context, and discusses the real threats and opportunities the technology represents. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

ThirdLove is known for marketing body positivity and offering size-inclusive bras, including half-cup sizes. On today’s episode, we’re talking to ThirdLove co-founder and CEO Heidi Zak. We’ll hear about what led her to start the company back in 2013, how the brand connects with today’s customers and ThirdLove’s recent expansion into bricks-and-mortar locations. Zak also shares how inclusion and diversity values help shape the business and discusses the impact of the TL Effect – an initiative...

On today’s episode, we’re talking to Sam’s Club Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant Megan Crozier. We’ll discuss how Crozier’s team decides what makes its way onto Sam’s Club shelves, her 20-year career journey starting as an engineer at a Walmart distribution center in Temple, Texas, and leading through a time of accelerated change. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

M.M.LaFleur is not a women’s workwear business — founder and CEO Sarah LaFleur says it’s a company that supports working women. LaFleur talks about the distinction on today’s show, as well as the brand’s bricks-and-mortar strategy, how women are dressing for work in a post-pandemic world, what it means to “lead from the front” and her biggest style inspiration. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Retail security has moved from physical security to loss prevention to asset protection. Now it’s at the enterprise risk management phase, according to David Johnston, NRF’s vice president of asset protection and retail operations. On today’s show, Johnston dives into current priorities and challenges in the retail loss prevention and asset protection community, including growing concerns about organized retail crime. He also shares more about what to expect at this summer’s NRF PROTECT event...

On today’s show, Addison Bay founder and CEO Marguerite Adzick talks about starting the women’s activewear business, the company’s growth and culture, and her advice for other entrepreneurs. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Today’s episode is all about change and evolution: Overstock.com CEO Jonathan Johnson talks about his personal career shift from corporate lawyer to ecommerce CEO, as well as Overstock’s recent transition from a general merchandise retailer to focus solely on home furnishings and how it stands out among other online furniture retailers. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The Port of Los Angeles (combined with Long Beach) handles about one-third of all container traffic in the United States and operated at 120% capacity during the pandemic. On today’s show, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, joins NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to share some of the supply chain lessons learned during the pandemic, the importance of collaboration and early planning, and what the coming year will bring for the retail industry.  Learn more at...

Retail veteran and consultant Steve Dennis talks about his career journey, why we should move on from omnichannel thinking, and what it takes to win as the pace of disruption continues to accelerate. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Chris Hardisty started his career in semiconductors before becoming an ecommerce and digital retail leader for brands including Timberland, Clarks and Puma. But he recently hung up his shoes to become a consultant and interim senior vice president for jewelry brand Kendra Scott. On today’s show, Hardisty talks about his career in retail, how Kendra Scott has grown into a billion-dollar business and where it’s headed in 2023 Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

As president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom Inc., Pete Nordstrom oversees all the aspects of the luxury retailer’s merchandising and supply chain. Nordstrom joins the show this week to talk about growing up in the family business, what it takes to stay current in a fast-changing industry and what's ahead for Nordstrom in 2023. We'll also get the scoop on his own podcast, The Nordy Pod. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

As Retail Gets Real celebrates a milestone 300th episode, we are joined by John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. and chairman of the NRF Board of Directors, who talks about his 30-year career journey at Walmart from part-timer to CEO, his approach to leadership and risk-taking, and what the retail giant will focus on in 2023.   Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

How does a 62-year-old jewelry and accessories company keep up with changing tastes and trends? On this episode of Retail Gets Real, we sit down with Claire’s CMO Kristin Patrick to talk about the global brand that has pierced millions, how Patrick has redefined the brand for a new generation and how it is reaching “Gen Z-Alpha” in the metaverse. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Pet adoptions surged during the pandemic and when new pet parents needed supplies and care for those pets, they turned to retailers like Petco. On this episode, Petco’s Ron Coughlin discusses his decision to take the CEO position, the brand’s transformational journey to a health and wellness company, and the pandemic’s impact on the pet industry. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.