Retail Gets Real

National Retail Federation
  • 4.5 (84)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    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 how leaders can navigate rapid change while keeping humanity at the center of the business. With nearly three decades of experience spanning Argentina, the United States, Chile, Puerto Rico and Canada, Barbeito’s leadership philosophy was shaped by working across cultures and markets. His journey — which included 26 years at Walmart and CEO roles in multiple international businesses — reinforced an early lesson: Growth happens when leaders are willing to leave their comfort zones. Retail, he says, is never static. It demands constant learning, movement and responsiveness to customers whose expectations evolve at the speed of culture. (00:00:00) Building a global retail career through change (00:06:16) Creating first jobs that change lives (00:10:26) Why investing in people is smart business (00:13:20) Navigating AI without losing the human touch (00:19:14) Advice for the next generation of retail leaders 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: • Learn more about 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: • 391. AI, skills-first hiring and the next era of retail jobs

    21 min

  2. JAN 9

    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 the year that was, and what it reveals about the future of retail. The milestone episode offers a comprehensive look at the forces that shaped the industry in 2025, from global expansion and trade policy to consumer behavior and artificial intelligence. (00:00:00) Marking 400 episodes and setting the stage for retail’s future (00:05:35) Trade policy, tariffs and the cost of uncertainty (00:10:00) Keeping the consumer at the center of retail policy (00:12:10) Understanding today’s consumer: anxious, adaptable and still spending (00:17:24) Making sense of AI without getting overwhelmed (00:25:01) Investing in the future of retail leadership and education 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: • Learn more about NRF’s work on behalf of the retail industry in 2025 at nrf.com/2025 • 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: • 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025 • 332: The state of retail heading into 2024

    29 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    399. Inside Retail’s Big Show: Innovation, AI and what’s coming next

    Retail’s Big Show has long been the industry’s can’t-miss gathering.In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we get an inside look at what’s ahead for NRF 2026, straight from the leaders who bring the event to life. We’re joined by Susan Newman, senior vice president of event strategy at the National Retail Federation; Jill Dvorak, senior vice president of content; and Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director of NRF’s Center for Retail Sustainability, to preview what attendees can expect at the retail industry’s most influential event. (00:00:00) What “The next now” means for retail (00:04:42) Inside the NRF Expo experience (00:07:03) Keynotes, AI and must-see content (00:10:20) Networking, celebrations, and shared experiences (00:11:29) Introducing NRF Rev and the circular economy (00:13:27) Insider tips for navigating Retail’s Big Show 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 • Learn more about the all new NRF Rev • 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: • 371: NRF 2025 preview: Big things are coming to Retail’s Big Show • 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025

    17 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    398. What Gen Z wants: insights shaping the future of retail

    Gen Z is rapidly becoming one of the most influential consumer groups in the marketplace. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we hear from two guests who sit at the heart of this evolving landscape: Carly Berns, assistant vice president at Berns Communications Group and co-founder of The Z Suite, and Olivia Meyer, a Gen Z retail strategist and Z Suite member. Together, they explore what defines today’s youngest adult shoppers, how they influence retail trends and what retailers must do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, personalization and transparency reign supreme. (00:00:00) Introducing Gen Z’s growing influence on retail (00:04:00) How The Z Suite connects retailers with Gen Z (00:06:52) How Gen Z uses AI in the shopping journey (00:11:46) Why modern leaders can’t ignore social media (00:14:54) The future of retail: a 5–10 year outlook 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: • Website: bernscommunications.com • Website: thez-suite.com • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carly-berns-057b89bb • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviagmeyer • 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: • 388: How Gen Z is transforming retail trends on Pinterest • 385: Lessons from a young retail leader

    20 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025

    As the winter season approaches, families across the country are stepping into the holidays with renewed enthusiasm — and retailers are preparing for one of the most meaningful shopping periods of the year. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen breaks down the latest holiday data, uncovers shopping trends and shares the heartfelt traditions that define how Americans celebrate this time of year. From spending forecasts and toy trends to the influence of technology and the enduring magic of in-store discovery, this episode offers insights into what consumers value most — and why the holidays remain essential to so many. (00:00:00) Holiday kickoff and early shopping myths (00:07:38) What kids really want—and what toys are trending for 2025 (00:11:35) Where holiday gift inspiration really comes from (00:16:41) The songs, foods, and flavors that define the holidays (00:19:58) The traditions that make the holidays meaningful 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: • 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers • 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending

    24 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    396. How iHerb is leading the trillion-dollar wellness market

    The wellness movement has gone global — and few companies embody that expansion better than iHerb. CEO Emun Zabihi explores how they’re transforming the way consumers access supplements and natural products worldwide. From humble beginnings in a Pasadena apartment to serving millions of customers in 180 countries, iHerb’s journey is a story of innovation, accessibility, and trust in an increasingly crowded marketplace.  (00:00:00) The rise of the trillion-dollar wellness economy (00:08:57) Trends shaping the supplement industry (00:13:25) Global reach and the fight against counterfeits (00:18:35) The future of wellness and lessons in leadership 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: • Website: iherb.com • Emun Zabihi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emun-zabihi • 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: • 389: Purpose-driven retail: Stories of impact from leading brands

    20 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers

    Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of the retail landscape, and a new wave of agentic AI shoppers is changing how brands must think about data, experience and customer connection. Debra Langley, partner at CAPTIS Ventures, and Greg Merrill, president at Futura Fragua unpack the rapid rise of AI shopping agents and what this evolution means for the future of retail. (00:00:00) A new era of retail innovation (00:05:02) The rise of AI shopping agents (00:10:08) Explaining AI shoppers to traditional retailers (00:17:06) The promise and peril of AI (00:20:00) Why human experience still matters 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: • CAPTIS Ventures • Futura Fragua • 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: • 381: The innovators driving the future of retail • 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers

    23 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    How consumers are redefining Halloween

    Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a full-fledged season of fun, community and record-breaking retail activity. Today we’re joined by Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year and why this festive tradition continues to grow in cultural and economic significance. (00:00:00) Turning homes into haunted experiences (00:05:59) From one night to an entire season (00:08:59) What consumers are buying this Halloween (00:11:25) Costumes that define the season (00:14:57) Why Halloween matters more than ever 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: • 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers • 365: Halloween spending tricks, treats and trends

    19 min
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4.5
out of 5
84 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    National Retail Federation
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    399
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © National Retail Federation
  • Show Website
    Retail Gets Real

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