
Retail Gets Real
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 5, 2022 • 15min
263. Lessons in retail: Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette and Mike George, former CEO of Qurate Retail, Inc.
As we get ready for the NRF Foundation Honors, we’re speaking with two retail leaders who are co-hosting the event: Macy’s Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette and Former CEO and President of Qurate Retail, Inc. Mike George. We asked each of the co-hosts twenty questions that revealed fascinating details about how they built their careers. Hear the highlights. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Mar 29, 2022 • 28min
262. Store openings outpace closings as formats evolve
For all the challenges the retail industry has faced over the past two years, store openings continue to outpace closings in the U.S. As National Director Retail Services, USA for Colliers, which manages a portfolio of over 2 billion square feet of retail establishments in the United States, Anjee Solanki has a unique perspective on the evolving needs for retail spaces and how retailers are creating compelling experiences in new kinds of spaces. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Mar 22, 2022 • 13min
261. The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2022
The NRF Foundation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future is a dynamic group of leaders creating opportunities and sparking innovation. These individuals – leaders at Chewy, Five Below, McDonalds, The RealReal, and formerly with CVS – have dedicated their careers to building better lives and stronger communities. They each discuss decisions they made throughout the pandemic and what the future of retail looks like. The members of The List will be recognized at the NRF Foundation Honors in April. (Originally released November 2021.) Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Mar 15, 2022 • 26min
260. Rhone CEO on why physical retail is key to growth
Nate Checketts, CEO and Co-Founder of men's activewear brand Rhone, shares how the company is expanding its physical presence and growing its brand while holding onto its core values. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Mar 8, 2022 • 25min
259. The impact of inflation on the retail industry
Mark Mathews, VP of research development and industry analysis at NRF, dives into the reasons the U.S. is experiencing inflation, what’s driving up prices, how it impacts consumer behavior and how long we can expect it to last. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Mar 1, 2022 • 21min
258. Inside Walmart’s sustainability and climate strategy
Zach Freeze, senior director for sustainability at Walmart, discusses Walmart's approach to climate and its evolving sustainability efforts, and what it's like to lead them as part of one of the largest and most influential retailers in the world. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Feb 22, 2022 • 24min
257. 3 trends driving the future of retail
Kate Ancketill, the founder and CEO of GDR Creative Intelligence, joins the show to discuss the retail trends that are shaping the future of retail and where retailers need to experiment now to be well positioned for the next five to 10 years. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Feb 15, 2022 • 23min
256. The 2022 deals outlook for consumer markets
The current retail landscape has seen tumultuous change over the last few years, and we can expect even more in the year ahead. Alberto Dent, the U.S. Consumer Markets Deals Leader for PwC, talks through the climate impacting deals for 2022 and why value creation is key to being successful. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Feb 8, 2022 • 23min
255. Inside Saks OFF 5TH’s digital strategy
After separating the digital business from stores in June 2021, Saks OFF 5TH has invested heavily in creating an unparalleled digital experience for the luxury bargain hunter. In this episode, Saks OFF 5TH President and CEO Paige Thomas shares insights into the digital strategy, leading through difficult times and where the future of retail is headed. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Jan 19, 2022 • 21min
254. Retail predictions for the year ahead
NRF’s Susan Reda shares retail predictions for 2022 as outlined in her annual NRF column. From a return to the store, to digital experiences in the store, to exploring the hype of the metaverse, see what’s in store for 2022. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.