Retail Gets Real

ThirdLove is known for marketing body positivity and offering size-inclusive bras, including half-cup sizes. On today’s episode, we’re talking to ThirdLove co-founder and CEO Heidi Zak. We’ll hear about what led her to start the company back in 2013, how the brand connects with today’s customers and ThirdLove’s recent expansion into bricks-and-mortar locations. Zak also shares how inclusion and diversity values help shape the business and discusses the impact of the TL Effect – an initiative to support entrepreneurial women of color.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

On today’s episode, we’re talking to Sam’s Club Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant Megan Crozier. We’ll discuss how Crozier’s team decides what makes its way onto Sam’s Club shelves, her 20-year career journey starting as an engineer at a Walmart distribution center in Temple, Texas, and leading through a time of accelerated change. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

M.M.LaFleur is not a women’s workwear business — founder and CEO Sarah LaFleur says it’s a company that supports working women. LaFleur talks about the distinction on today’s show, as well as the brand’s bricks-and-mortar strategy, how women are dressing for work in a post-pandemic world, what it means to “lead from the front” and her biggest style inspiration. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Retail security has moved from physical security to loss prevention to asset protection. Now it’s at the enterprise risk management phase, according to David Johnston, NRF’s vice president of asset protection and retail operations. On today’s show, Johnston dives into current priorities and challenges in the retail loss prevention and asset protection community, including growing concerns about organized retail crime. He also shares more about what to expect at this summer’s NRF PROTECT event for loss prevention and cyber risk professionals. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

On today’s show, Addison Bay founder and CEO Marguerite Adzick talks about starting the women’s activewear business, the company’s growth and culture, and her advice for other entrepreneurs. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Today’s episode is all about change and evolution: Overstock.com CEO Jonathan Johnson talks about his personal career shift from corporate lawyer to ecommerce CEO, as well as Overstock’s recent transition from a general merchandise retailer to focus solely on home furnishings and how it stands out among other online furniture retailers. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The Port of Los Angeles (combined with Long Beach) handles about one-third of all container traffic in the United States and operated at 120% capacity during the pandemic. On today’s show, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, joins NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to share some of the supply chain lessons learned during the pandemic, the importance of collaboration and early planning, and what the coming year will bring for the retail industry.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Retail veteran and consultant Steve Dennis talks about his career journey, why we should move on from omnichannel thinking, and what it takes to win as the pace of disruption continues to accelerate. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Chris Hardisty started his career in semiconductors before becoming an ecommerce and digital retail leader for brands including Timberland, Clarks and Puma. But he recently hung up his shoes to become a consultant and interim senior vice president for jewelry brand Kendra Scott. On today’s show, Hardisty talks about his career in retail, how Kendra Scott has grown into a billion-dollar business and where it’s headed in 2023 Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

As president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom Inc., Pete Nordstrom oversees all the aspects of the luxury retailer’s merchandising and supply chain. Nordstrom joins the show this week to talk about growing up in the family business, what it takes to stay current in a fast-changing industry and what's ahead for Nordstrom in 2023. We'll also get the scoop on his own podcast, The Nordy Pod. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.