Retail Gets Real

LEGO is a timeless, cherished brand for kids and adults alike. In a very special episode from NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show, we’re joined by Martin Urrutia, head of Global Retail Experience and Innovation at LEGO. We talk about how LEGO continues to innovate while remaining true to its core values. We also explore the importance of brand storytelling, creating unique in-store experiences, and building community with consumers. Plus, Urrutia shares highlights from working for LEGO and his most impactful career advice.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:02:30) Urrutia’s career journey

(00:06:28) LEGO movies & TV shows

(00:08:08) Balancing innovation with timelessness

(00:10:12) Exciting innovations for 2025

(00:16:39) Urrutia’s career advice & leadership philosophy

(00:20:30) Building community with LEGO

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:

• lego.com

• ideas.lego.com

• 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

We’re ringing in the new year with new retail predictions. In one of our most popular annual episodes, NRF Vice President of Education Strategy Susan Reda joins us to forecast 2025’s most impactful and exciting retail trends. From innovative AI agents, to the rise of live shopping, to the rebirth of brick and mortar stores, the future of retail is bright.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:48) How Reda makes her predictions

(00:03:14) How AI agents will shape 2025

(00:08:51) The future of live shopping & social commerce

(00:13:08) The rebirth of retail stores

(00:17:17) The influence Of Gen Z & Alphas

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:

• 25 predictions for the retail industry in 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:

• AI and beyond: Retail trends to watch in 2024

• What can AI do for retailers and customers?

• 7 trends revealed at NRF Nexus

Produced by Crate Media.

Big things are coming at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York City Jan. 12-14. Jill Dvorak,  NRF senior vice president of content, joins us to preview the show. She shares key themes and exciting speakers, tips for attendees, plus her favorite show memories.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:54) Jill’s best Big Show memories

(00:04:42) Industry game changers

(00:06:18) What attendees need to know about the Big Show

(00:09:32) Previewing themes & speakers

(00:17:21) What Jill is looking forward to

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:

• NRF Names Jill Dvorak as New Senior Vice President of Content

Produced by Crate Media.

Steven Tristan Young, Poshmark’s chief marketing officer, joins us to chat about how Poshmark is revolutionizing resale with live shopping experiences, AI technology and sustainable gifting. We also chat about Poshmark’s multichannel marketing strategies and Young’s passion for marketing. Plus, he shares details of his career journey and the best leadership lessons he’s ever learned.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:17) Young’s career journey

(00:05:28) The Poshmark customer

(00:07:38) The journey of buying and selling on Poshmark

(00:10:19) Poshmark’s stack of marketing strategies

(00:11:46) The live shopping experience

(00:15:03) Poshmark’s vision for AI

(00:17:13) Holiday shopping trends and sustainable gifting

(00:21:29) Authenticating resale products

(00:23:19) Young’s leadership lessons

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:

• poshmark.com

• 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:

• Retailers stay ahead as GenAI transforms the industry

• 2024 Holiday Spending Expected to Reach New Record

Consumers have been gobbling up Butterball turkey for decades, and they’re thankful for the company’s connection to its customers. Al Jansen, Butterball’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, joins us to talk about Thanksgiving traditions, the famous Turkey Talk-Line and sharing holiday stories. Food brings people together — and this episode brings together the best of retail, family and fun.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:02:45) The Butterball Team

(00:04:06) Butterball’s core value of togetherness

(00:08:33) Talking about the Turkey Talk-Line

(00:14:17) The joys & challenges of marketing

(00:16:50) Al’s best career advice

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:

• butterball.com

• storycorps.org

• 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:

• Inside the 2024 holiday trends that will impact retail in 2025

Produced by Crate Media.

Javier Quiñones, CEO and chief sustainability officer at IKEA U.S., shares his 25-year career journey at the company, what he loves most about his job and how he stays current in the ever-evolving retail industry. We also talk about IKEA’s commitment to sustainability and how it’s good business to be a good business.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:42) Quiñones’ career journey

(00:05:06) IKEA’s commitment to sustainability

(00:14:46) What Quiñones loves most about his job

(00:20:59) Creating a core IKEA experience across the globe

(00:23:26) Staying current in an ever-evolving industry

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:

• ikea.com/us/en

• NRF2025: Retail’s Big Show: nrfbigshow.nrf.com

• 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:

• NRF Foundation Announces The List Of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2025

• Goldman Sachs Chairman & CEO to Speak at Retail’s Big Show

• Creating a circular retail economy

Cory Onell, executive vice president and chief omnichannel sales and Asian emerging markets officer at Kraft Heinz, talks about how his company adapts and innovates omnichannel strategies for different global markets. He also shares his four-pronged leadership approach, his perspective on work-life balance and the advice that shaped his career.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:46) Cory’s Career Journey

(00:05:06) The Omnichannel Approach In Emerging Markets

(00:09:46) Kraft Heinz’s Online Presence

(00:13:28) The Essential Impact Of The Food Industry

(00:15:27) Cory’s Approach To Leadership

(00:18:15) Finding Work-Life Balance

(00:22:38) Cory’s Career Advice

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:

• kraftheinzcompany.com

• 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:

• Top 3 retail trends driving industry transformation in 2024

• A snapshot into the latest retail tech breakthroughs

Produced by Crate Media.

Organized retail crime is an issue that plagues retailers — and offenders are only getting more sophisticated. Representative Glenn Ivey, D-Md., and Angela Hofmann, head of government relations for JCPenney, explain what organized retail crime really means and how it’s evolved over the years. Plus, we discuss the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and how it's counteracting this insidious trend.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:25) What Is Organized Retail Crime?

(00:06:02) The Evolution Of Organized Retail Crime

(00:09:30) Introducing The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

(00:12:46) Social Media Awareness Of ORC

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:

• ivey.house.gov

• jcpenney.com

• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC

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

• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• Join the movement to combat retail crime

• Thank You, Retail Crime Fighters

It’s spooky season, and here’s the real treat — Halloween spending is projected to hit nearly $12 billion. Katherine Cullen, NRF's vice president of industry and consumer insights, talks about Halloween spending trends, popular costumes, why consumers are shopping early and who is most excited to celebrate this October. Plus, a look at expected winter holiday consumer spending.

(00:00:38) Introductions

(00:02:45) Why People Shop Early

(00:04:39) Halloween Spending Projections

(00:07:28) The Year’s Most Popular Costumes

(00:09:21) Where Consumers Are Shopping

(00:10:49) Who Is Halloween For?

(00:12:31) Early Predictions For The Holiday Season

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

• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:

• Consumer Trends in Halloween Shopping and Celebration

• Halloween Spending to Reach Record $12.2 Billion As Participation Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels

• Nearly Half of Halloween Shoppers to Start Purchasing Items Before October

Anjana Harve serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, where she leads technology innovation at the high-frequency club store. In this episode, Harve joins us to talk about the BJ’s member experience, how the company is leveraging AI, her personal career journey and what’s on the horizon for tech and retail.

(00:00:00) Introductions

(00:01:28) Anjana’s Career Journey

(00:05:45) The Membership Model

(00:08:27) How BJ’s Is Leveraging AI

(00:16:10) Women’s Representation In STEM Leadership Roles

(00:21:00) What’s Next For BJ’s?

(00:25:04) Anjana’s Career Advice

(00:26:44) The Exciting Future Of Tech And 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:

• BJ’s Wholesale Club

• 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:

• BJ’s Chris Baldwin on what keeps this CEO up at night

• NRF Retail Leadership Series: Chris Baldwin, Executive Chairman, BJ's Wholesale Club

• Value, partnership and peanut M&M’s: BJ’s Wholesale Club aligns with Mars

Produced by Crate Media.