Retail Gets Real

In the Spring 2018 Consumer View report, NRF takes a look at how millennial parents, now ages 24-37, are shopping differently than previous generations of moms and dads. NRF’s Head of Consumer Research Katherine Cullen presents the findings to two parents — one a millennial and the other a Gen X-er — to get real-world examples that reveal shifting consumer behavior trends. Listen to learn more about how generational differences are shaping today’s retail.   Learn more at www.nrf.com.  

Serving military troops, families and veterans at home and abroad, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service operates more than 2,700 facilities around the world. But when it comes to business, it’s not much different from any other retailer. “You have to innovate to survive,” says Director and CEO Tom Shull. On this episode, he discusses how the Exchange supports the military in all aspects of life and embraces innovation.   Learn more at www.nrf.com.  

If businesses and individuals don’t take any steps to proactively protect themselves, they are increasingly at risk online. Theresa Payton, founder of Fortalice Solutions and cybersecurity authority on the CBS show “Hunted”, discusses how old school investigative techniques can be combined with new technology to protect businesses without sacrificing convenience for consumers. Payton also shares tactics that individuals can take to protect their private information.   Learn more at www.nrf.com.  

Like many entrepreneurs, Stefanie Botelho created Fitzroy as a solution to a problem she faced: She was buying a lot of gifts for children, but it was tough to find something unique and special. Botelho built a recommendation engine to address the issue and adapted it for retailers as an online marketplace. Botelho’s platform now helps niche stores find emerging, independent brands that want to grow. On this episode, she discusses how it all came about.   Learn more at www.nrf.com.  

Sara Whiffen loves to shop, but was running out of room in her closet. Applying the sales model she saw in the auto industry to fashion, Whiffen devised a way to keep her wardrobe looking fresh. Her tech startup Rohvi helps retailers like Amy Gardner, owner of fashion boutique Scarpa, give customers a way to affordably refresh their looks by returning previously worn items for store credit. Hear how the partnership is a win-win for both retailers and customers on this episode of Retail Gets Real. Learn more at www.nrf.com.

When co-owners Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine took over Politics and Prose seven years ago, they took on a big challenge: Growing an independent bookstore to adapt with evolving customer needs while continuing to serve the community that has supported the store for 34 years. On this episode, Graham discusses why and how they are expanding the store and how Politics and Prose engages communities throughout Washington, D.C.

After over a century, Levi’s is still making waves. Brand President James ‘JC’ Curleigh explains how the company went through a reinvention to achieve its vintage and cool status. Keeping the core customer in mind, Levi’s never stops innovating. On this episode, Curleigh demonstrates the newest collaboration with Google, a denim jacket that’s far more than it looks.

Forrester Retail Analyst Sucharita Kodali knows a thing or two about how the retail industry has evolved over the years. For one, more brands plan to open stores versus close them this year. On this episode, she presents findings from the 2018 NRF-Forrester research report “State of Retailing Online” to crush the myth of the “retail apocalypse.”  

BARK, the makers of BarkBox, began where so many great companies do — in a heart-shaped bed on a cruise ship. Henrik Werdelin and his co-founders bonded over a mutual love for dogs and an obsession with making their furry family members happy. In this episode, Werdelin discusses how BARK’s dog-obsessed culture drives every facet of the business and attracts an army of similarly obsessed fans.  

Ajay Kori knew nothing about the floral business. But after too many bad experiences when ordering flowers online, he devised a brand-new supply chain, from the growing process through delivery within hours of an order. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, UrbanStems CEO and co-founder Kori talks about how the startup is upending the online flower industry — and how it turned a disastrous Valentine’s Day into an advantage.