Retail Gets Real

Retail is an industry built on people, emotion and constant reinvention, and few leaders embody that reality more fully than Ulta Beauty President and CEO Kecia Steelman. In this episode of Retail Gets Real recorded live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Steelman explores her remarkable career journey, leadership philosophy and how she’s guiding the nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer through one of the most transformative moments in retail history.

(00:00:00) From the sales floor to the CEO seat

(00:05:48) How retail creates opportunity at every level

(00:09:14) Why beauty retail is about emotion, not just products

(00:12:52) Why the future of retail has no finish line

(00:16:24) How culture drives performance at Ulta Beauty

(00:19:28) How Ulta Beauty localizes a global brand

(00:22:14) What retail needs more (and less) of right now

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:

• 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:

• 380: How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand

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

Live from NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York City, Ali Furman, partner and U.S. consumer markets industry leader at PwC, and Barbara O’Beirne, head of global enterprise business development at Stripe, both join Retail Gets Real for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is rapidly moving from experimentation to execution — and what that means for retailers right now.

Near the Expo floor buzzing with robots, AI demos and next-generation technology, Furman and O’Beirne unpack why agentic AI represents a structural change rather than a passing trend. Unlike earlier generations of AI that primarily assisted with search and discovery, agentic AI is designed to act. It can evaluate options, make decisions and increasingly transact on behalf of consumers. They say this evolution is reshaping the very top of the shopping funnel and redefining how consumers decide what to buy.

(00:00:00) Why agentic AI was everywhere at NRF 2026

(00:04:49) How commerce is moving inside AI conversations

(00:07:29) Why agentic commerce is a structural shift, not a trend

(00:10:21) How will agentic AI impact bricks-and-mortar retail?

(00:12:45) How PwC and Stripe are helping retailers move from pilots to reality

(00:18:31) Where retail leaders should start with AI right now

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:

• 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:

• 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers

• 390: The role of AI in shaping cybersecurity and fraud prevention

Horacio “Haio” Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, joins Retail Gets Real to reflect on a global career in retail, the responsibility of developing future talent and how leaders can navigate rapid change while keeping humanity at the center of the business.

With nearly three decades of experience spanning Argentina, the United States, Chile, Puerto Rico and Canada, Barbeito’s leadership philosophy was shaped by working across cultures and markets. His journey — which included 26 years at Walmart and CEO roles in multiple international businesses — reinforced an early lesson: Growth happens when leaders are willing to leave their comfort zones. Retail, he says, is never static. It demands constant learning, movement and responsiveness to customers whose expectations evolve at the speed of culture.

(00:00:00) Building a global retail career through change

(00:06:16) Creating first jobs that change lives

(00:10:26) Why investing in people is smart business

(00:13:20) Navigating AI without losing the human touch

(00:19:14) Advice for the next generation of retail leaders

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:

• Learn more about 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:

• 391. AI, skills-first hiring and the next era of retail jobs

As Retail Gets Real reaches its 400th episode, we’re joined by Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, for a special conversation reflecting on the year that was, and what it reveals about the future of retail. The milestone episode offers a comprehensive look at the forces that shaped the industry in 2025, from global expansion and trade policy to consumer behavior and artificial intelligence.

(00:00:00) Marking 400 episodes and setting the stage for retail’s future

(00:05:35) Trade policy, tariffs and the cost of uncertainty

(00:10:00) Keeping the consumer at the center of retail policy

(00:12:10) Understanding today’s consumer: anxious, adaptable and still spending

(00:17:24) Making sense of AI without getting overwhelmed

(00:25:01) Investing in the future of retail leadership and education

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:

• Learn more about NRF’s work on behalf of the retail industry in 2025 at nrf.com/2025

• 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:

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

• 332: The state of retail heading into 2024

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