When co-owners Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine took over Politics and Prose seven years ago, they took on a big challenge: Growing an independent bookstore to adapt with evolving customer needs while continuing to serve the community that has supported the store for 34 years. On this episode, Graham discusses why and how they are expanding the store and how Politics and Prose engages communities throughout Washington, D.C.

After over a century, Levi’s is still making waves. Brand President James ‘JC’ Curleigh explains how the company went through a reinvention to achieve its vintage and cool status. Keeping the core customer in mind, Levi’s never stops innovating. On this episode, Curleigh demonstrates the newest collaboration with Google, a denim jacket that’s far more than it looks.

Forrester Retail Analyst Sucharita Kodali knows a thing or two about how the retail industry has evolved over the years. For one, more brands plan to open stores versus close them this year. On this episode, she presents findings from the 2018 NRF-Forrester research report “State of Retailing Online” to crush the myth of the “retail apocalypse.”

BARK, the makers of BarkBox, began where so many great companies do — in a heart-shaped bed on a cruise ship. Henrik Werdelin and his co-founders bonded over a mutual love for dogs and an obsession with making their furry family members happy. In this episode, Werdelin discusses how BARK’s dog-obsessed culture drives every facet of the business and attracts an army of similarly obsessed fans.

Ajay Kori knew nothing about the floral business. But after too many bad experiences when ordering flowers online, he devised a brand-new supply chain, from the growing process through delivery within hours of an order. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, UrbanStems CEO and co-founder Kori talks about how the startup is upending the online flower industry — and how it turned a disastrous Valentine’s Day into an advantage.

What do Warby Parker and STORY have in common? Entrepreneurs with a keen eye for innovation. Warby Parker’s Neil Blumenthal and STORY’s Rachel Shechtman come from different backgrounds, but they both built brands with a fresh take on retail. In this episode, the two friends chat about building a brand around a crazy idea, and how retailers can evolve with the changing retail landscape.

Dream job doesn’t even begin to describe Danielle DiFerdinando’s career. The young fashion designer started the Danielle Nicole brand of handbags as a student and has grown the business through partnerships with retailers like Nordstrom and HSN. In this episode, DiFerdinando talks about the thrill of working on a line of Disney and Harry Potter handbags, being named one of Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and what drives her creative spirit.

After 25 years in business, DSW is re-evaluating its strategy and adopting new retail concepts to skip ahead of the competition. CEO Roger Rawlins and CFO Jared Poff join Retail Gets Real to discuss their recent successes and where the reinvention is taking the company. Hear how DSW is fighting the “retail is dead” myth and demonstrating how the company is alive and kicking.

In 35 years of a loss prevention career, truth has sometimes been stranger than fiction. Rosamaria Sostilio, vice president of loss prevention for Barnes & Noble Inc., describes what her job involves – from asset protection to risk management – and the unique perspective she brings. Listen to Sostilio on this episode as she reveals a hidden side of retail and what it takes for a woman to rise to the top in the industry.

Two business students set out to make the bra buying experience more comfortable, affordable and accessible, establishing Harper Wilde around the concepts of simple options, fair prices and home try-ons. In this episode, co-founders Jane Fisher and Jenna Kerner discuss how they’re empowering women through revolutionizing the way bras are sold.