Retail Gets Real

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 li

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 o

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 Ta

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,

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

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 digita

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,

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

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 grou

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,

409. Inside REI’s strategy for trust, community, and growth

Leadership in retail today requires balancing innovation, culture and purpose. Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of REI Co-op, joins this episode of Retail Gets Real

408. How Coach puts the consumer at the center of brand growth

At a time when retail is being reshaped by technology, generational shifts and changing expectations around authenticity, understanding the consumer has never been more c

407. Inside Sweetwater’s people-first approach to retail innovation

As retail continues to evolve at the intersection of technology and human connection, Jason Johnson, CIO of Sweetwater Sound, offers a compelling perspective on what it m

406. The rise of smart retail merchandising

Technology is reshaping the in-store experience, and Jake Neiman is helping retailers bring digital innovation into the physical world. The co-founder and CEO of BIG Digi

405. The cultural forces shaping tomorrow’s consumer

Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing, events and culture forecasting at WGSN, returns to Retail Gets Real to explore what is changing in culture, technology and consumer b

404. How Taco Bell uses digital innovation to highlight human connection

Known for its bold brand, devoted fans and culture of innovation, Taco Bell continues to push the boundaries of what modern retail can be, blending human connection with

403. Building a people-first culture in modern retail with Ulta Beauty

Retail is an industry built on people, emotion and constant reinvention, and few leaders embody that reality more fully than Ulta Beauty President and CEO Kecia Steelman.

402. How agentic AI is redefining the future of retail

Live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Ali Furman, partner and U.S. consumer markets industry leader at PwC, and Barbara O’Beirne, head of global enterpr

401. How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale

Horacio “Haio” Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, joins Retail Gets Real to reflect on a global career in retail, the responsibility of developing future talent and

400. How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025

As Retail Gets Real reaches its 400th episode, we’re joined by Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, for a special conversation reflecting on