Retail Gets Real

More than 200 million people shopped online and in stores over the holidays, but will that spirited spending carry over into 2024? On today’s show, Susan Reda, NRF’s vice president of education strategy, digs into insights and retail trends for 2024 and gives a preview of what's in store at Retail’s Big Show in New York City next week. Read Reda’s full 2024 retail trends forecast. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

More than 40,000 retailers of all kinds are getting ready to come together in New York City’s Javits Center for NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show on Jan. 14-16. On today’s special episode, we’re talking to NRF’s Susan Newman and Eric Olson about what attendees can expect to see, hear and do at the event. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

NRF expects spending to reach record highs this holiday season, hitting $957 billion. What are gift-givers buying, where are they shopping, and what is motivating them to buy? To get us in the holiday spirit, we're talking to Katherine Cullen, NRF’s vice president of industry and consumer insights, to learn more about what’s driving this year’s winter holiday spending trends. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

As recently as 2016, the No. 3 Google search trend for Crocs was ‘Crocs memes’ — memes to make fun of the not-yet-cool clog. Today, Crocs is an iconic, global footwear brand garnering partnerships with Balenciaga, Bad Bunny and Takashi Murakami. On today’s episode, we’re talking to Crocs SVP and CMO Heidi Cooley about how she got into retail, how Crocs connects with consumers everywhere, and the strategies she and her team used to make Crocs one of the most popular footwear brands on this planet, and maybe across the metaverse. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Today on Retail Gets Real, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jungmin Kang, teen entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Snoopslimes. She's also one of the dynamic leaders on NRF’s list of people shaping retail's future in 2024. We talk to Jungmin about starting her popular slime toy business at only 13 years of age, the massive role social media has played in her company's growth and the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

We talk to David Johnston, NRF’s VP of Asset Protection & Retail Operations, about an issue that’s impossible to ignore: organized retail crime. In recapping Fight Retail Crime Day, David explains how the issue continues to impact retailers and how brands are advocating for meaningful action. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Retail Gets Real episode 324: Tony Sciarrotta, executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association, talks about where our returns go, how reverse logistics fits into the circular economy, and what retailers need to know about this increasingly important area of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

J.C. Penney is in the midst of a major transformation, with a plan to spend more than $1 billion by the end of 2025 to revive the 121-year-old chain. On this episode, we’re speaking with Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer Michelle Wlazlo about the department store’s historic $1 billion reinvestment project, the evolution and debut of several private labels and exclusive partnerships, and what’s ahead for the holiday season. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Small business consultant, boutique co-owner and podcaster Kathy Cruz is already a very busy woman. But recently, she added retail advocate to her title. This summer, Kathy flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress in support of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance credit card competition and choice in order to reduce excessive credit card fees. On this episode, NRF’s Senior Director of Grassroots Meghan Keivel Cruz talks to Kathy about her growing business, supporting her fellow business owners and why she’s passionate about the retail industry. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Ulta Beauty has been reinventing beauty retail since opening its first five “beauty destination” stores in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1990. More recently, the company has focused on transforming the customer experience digitally and online. In this episode, NRF’s Susan Reda speaks with Chief Digital Officer Prama Bhatt about her career journey, how the beauty retail brand has used digital tools to continue to innovate and personalize the customer experience, and what’s next in experiential shopping. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.