Retail’s Big Show has long been the industry’s can’t-miss gathering.In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we get an inside look at what’s ahead for NRF 2026, straight from the leaders who bring the event to life. We’re joined by Susan Newman, senior vice president of event strategy at the National Retail Federation; Jill Dvorak, senior vice president of content; and Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director of NRF’s Center for Retail Sustainability, to preview what attendees can expect at the retail industry’s most influential event.

(00:00:00) What “The next now” means for retail

(00:04:42) Inside the NRF Expo experience

(00:07:03) Keynotes, AI and must-see content

(00:10:20) Networking, celebrations, and shared experiences

(00:11:29) Introducing NRF Rev and the circular economy

(00:13:27) Insider tips for navigating Retail’s Big Show

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Learn more about the all new NRF Rev

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 371: NRF 2025 preview: Big things are coming to Retail’s Big Show

• 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025

Gen Z is rapidly becoming one of the most influential consumer groups in the marketplace. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we hear from two guests who sit at the heart of this evolving landscape: Carly Berns, assistant vice president at Berns Communications Group and co-founder of The Z Suite, and Olivia Meyer, a Gen Z retail strategist and Z Suite member. Together, they explore what defines today’s youngest adult shoppers, how they influence retail trends and what retailers must do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, personalization and transparency reign supreme.

(00:00:00) Introducing Gen Z’s growing influence on retail

(00:04:00) How The Z Suite connects retailers with Gen Z

(00:06:52) How Gen Z uses AI in the shopping journey

(00:11:46) Why modern leaders can’t ignore social media

(00:14:54) The future of retail: a 5–10 year outlook

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Website: bernscommunications.com

• Website: thez-suite.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carly-berns-057b89bb

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviagmeyer

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 388: How Gen Z is transforming retail trends on Pinterest

• 385: Lessons from a young retail leader

As the winter season approaches, families across the country are stepping into the holidays with renewed enthusiasm — and retailers are preparing for one of the most meaningful shopping periods of the year. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen breaks down the latest holiday data, uncovers shopping trends and shares the heartfelt traditions that define how Americans celebrate this time of year.

From spending forecasts and toy trends to the influence of technology and the enduring magic of in-store discovery, this episode offers insights into what consumers value most — and why the holidays remain essential to so many.

(00:00:00) Holiday kickoff and early shopping myths

(00:07:38) What kids really want—and what toys are trending for 2025

(00:11:35) Where holiday gift inspiration really comes from

(00:16:41) The songs, foods, and flavors that define the holidays

(00:19:58) The traditions that make the holidays meaningful

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers

• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending

The wellness movement has gone global — and few companies embody that expansion better than iHerb. CEO Emun Zabihi explores how they’re transforming the way consumers access supplements and natural products worldwide. From humble beginnings in a Pasadena apartment to serving millions of customers in 180 countries, iHerb’s journey is a story of innovation, accessibility, and trust in an increasingly crowded marketplace. 

(00:00:00) The rise of the trillion-dollar wellness economy

(00:08:57) Trends shaping the supplement industry

(00:13:25) Global reach and the fight against counterfeits

(00:18:35) The future of wellness and lessons in leadership

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Website: iherb.com

• Emun Zabihi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emun-zabihi

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 389: Purpose-driven retail: Stories of impact from leading brands

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of the retail landscape, and a new wave of agentic AI shoppers is changing how brands must think about data, experience and customer connection. Debra Langley, partner at CAPTIS Ventures, and Greg Merrill, president at Futura Fragua unpack the rapid rise of AI shopping agents and what this evolution means for the future of retail.

(00:00:00) A new era of retail innovation

(00:05:02) The rise of AI shopping agents

(00:10:08) Explaining AI shoppers to traditional retailers

(00:17:06) The promise and peril of AI

(00:20:00) Why human experience still matters

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• CAPTIS Ventures

• Futura Fragua

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 381: The innovators driving the future of retail

• 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers

Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a full-fledged season of fun, community and record-breaking retail activity. Today we’re joined by Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year and why this festive tradition continues to grow in cultural and economic significance.

(00:00:00) Turning homes into haunted experiences

(00:05:59) From one night to an entire season

(00:08:59) What consumers are buying this Halloween

(00:11:25) Costumes that define the season

(00:14:57) Why Halloween matters more than ever

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers

• 365: Halloween spending tricks, treats and trends

Matt Beall, Chairman and CEO of Bealls Inc., reflects on 110 years of family legacy, cultural evolution, and the future of off-price retail. As a fourth-generation leader, Matt offers a rare look inside the company’s long-standing commitment to both financial discipline and human-centered leadership — and how those values are shaping its future.

(00:00:00) Early memories and family pressure

(00:05:27) Seeing the store through the customer’s eyes

(00:08:05) The power of the off-price model

(00:14:25) Leading for people, not legacy

(00:16:31) The future of retail

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Website: beallsinc.com

• Matt Beall on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattbeallceo

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience

• 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success

From its early beginnings as a digitally native disruptor to becoming a household name in eyewear, Warby Parker has consistently challenged conventions in retail. Sandy Gilsenan, Warby Parker’s chief retail and customer experience officer, explores how the company is reshaping the customer journey and redefining what it means to be an innovative retailer today.

(00:00:00) Gilsenan’s career path to Warby Parker

(00:05:08) The power of omnichannel retail

(00:07:43) Who is the Warby Parker customer?

(00:10:30) Staying innovative and looking ahead

(00:16:20) Harnessing AI to enhance retail

(00:20:30) Advice for the next generation of retailers

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 384: The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth

• 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future

Organizational success in retail ultimately comes down to people — finding the right talent, nurturing their growth and preparing them for the future. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine “Lo” Stomski and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie, discuss how retail leaders are reimagining talent acquisition, development and retention in a rapidly evolving industry.

(00:00:00) Walmart’s first Chief Talent Officer

(00:05:20) Why talent acquisition matters more than ever

(00:09:00) Changing perceptions of retail careers

(00:15:02) Building skills and pathways for career growth

(00:19:24) Proof points that change lives

(00:23:02) Talent strategies in uncertain times

(00:28:12) The future of talent acquisition and AI

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• NRF Foundation's RISE Up Program: nrffoundation.org/rise-up

• Walmart's Live Better U: corporate.walmart.com/about/working-at-walmart/live-better-u

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 351: The think tank for retail industry talent leaders

Cybersecurity has moved far beyond being just a technical issue — it is now a core business priority that directly impacts customer trust, operational resilience and the bottom line. We sit down with two industry leaders on the front lines of digital risk: Pam Lindemoen, chief security officer and vice president of strategy at the Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and Christian Beckner, vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity at the National Retail Federation. Together, they unpack the fast-changing cybersecurity landscape facing retailers today, from fraud and social engineering to the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

(00:00:00) Building a united front in retail cybersecurity

(00:04:41) Strengthening trust and evolving partnerships

(00:07:49) Rising threats in retail cybersecurity

(00:12:43) Investing in resilience and readiness

(00:16:51) Looking ahead: cooperation and global expansion

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.

Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.

Resources:

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association

• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• 366: How to fight back against organized retail crime

• 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future

• 344: The future of AI in consumer experience