Retail Gets Real

Best Buy Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Talent Officer Mark Irvin is working hard to build and maintain an inclusive work environment for the 125,000 employees that work at Best Buy. In this episode, he talks about his path to the role and the retailer's approach to attracting, retaining, and growing a diverse talent pool. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

While most people aren't crowding the bar these days, Jomaree Pinkard knows that the pandemic doesn't have to stop you from savoring a delicious cocktail. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hella Cocktail Co., which makes cocktail mixers and bitters that are sold online and through partner retail stores across the United States, and even offered on Delta Airlines flights. Prior to the pandemic at least half of Hella Cocktail’s business came from the foodservice and hospitality industry. Leaning into the values of their company helped them focus on where to grow the company in a sustainable way. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

After being frustrated that most sunscreens leave a white residue behind, today's guest set out to create a better option, especially for people of color. Katonya Breaux is the founder of Unsun Cosmetics, which makes clean mineral sunscreen that blends into any skin tone. And it's also one of the businesses selected for the NRF Foundation and Qurate Retail Group's Small Business Spotlight, which features entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds across the HSN, QVC, and Zulily platforms. She shares her founding story, and how her business has managed to thrive during the pandemic.   Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

In a year unlike any other, how have the behaviors of consumers changed around holidays? Katherine Cullen of NRF's Research Team shares some insights about what consumers are planning to do for Valentine’s Day this year. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Farmgirl Flowers CEO Christina Stembel shares how she built her business from the ground up, created growth in a challenging year, and inspired countless Instagram-worthy moments and memories for customers. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

After a truly tense election, and a chaotic and unruly start to 2021 in the nation's capital, the country remains divided as ever. But nevertheless, there is work to be done. A new administration means new retail policy priorities for 2021, and David French, NRF's Senior Vice President of Government Relations, who was recently recognized as one of the top lobbyists by “The Hill,” knows all about what to expect. He’s going to share what matters most for retailers and how NRF plans to work to make progress for the industry in the coming year.   Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

As social responsibility and sustainability grows in importance for consumers, people are looking for a meaningful connection to the brands they support. In this episode, Ron Kinghorn, PwC’s US Consumer Markets Advisory Leader, discusses ESG investing and how ESG can be used as a core competitive differentiator.   Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

NRF’s virtual event, NRF 2021 Retail's Big Show—Chapter One, starts January 12. NRF's Vice President of Content and Retail Strategy, Jill Dvorak chats with the team about what we're hearing from retail leaders across the country and why this is going to be a Big Show like no one has ever seen before. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

NRF’s Susan Reda discusses which trends coming out of 2020 will gain momentum in 2021 and what the year ahead holds for retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The retail industry was challenged from every direction in 2020, but retail is resilient. National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay discusses what shaped the industry this past year and looks ahead at the challenges and the opportunities for retail going forward. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.