Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing, events and culture forecasting at WGSN, returns to Retail Gets Real to explore what is changing in culture, technology and consumer behavior. Recorded live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, she discusses the evolving nature of human connection and what retailers can do to future-proof their businesses in a world shaped by uncertainty, fragmented identities and competing demands for attention.

(00:00:00) When disruption reshapes the future overnight

(00:04:25) How uncertainty is shaping the next consumer generation

(00:07:35) Loneliness, community and the return of shared experiences

(00:12:07) Why niche communities and creators are redefining influence

(00:16:29) Where AI helps and where it hurts the retail experience

(00:18:41) Why the next big disruption is going offline

(00:23:49) How culture, entertainment and moments are driving what’s next

(00:29:03) Rapid fire insights on media, habits and attention

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Related:

• 400: How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025

• 374: Get ahead of the future of retail