NRF President and CEO Matt Shay joins The Retail Pilot to break down what is really happening inside retail as the holiday season reaches its peak. From consumer resilience and record setting holiday sales forecasts to tariffs supply chain challenges and pricing pressures this conversation offers a clear view of the forces shaping retail performance right now.

Matt shares how retailers are navigating uncertainty while continuing to execute at a high level and why consumers remain the driving force behind the economy. The discussion also explores how AI is being applied across retail operations from supply chain and fulfillment to marketing customer engagement and in store experiences and why AI is becoming a powerful equalizer for mid size retailers.

Show Notes

• Introduction and welcome to Matt Shay
• The state of the consumer heading into the holiday season
• Why retail performance remains strong across categories
• NRFs outlook on holiday sales and economic confidence
• The impact of tariffs on pricing supply chains and planning
• Why uncertainty has made this year especially challenging for retailers
• How AI is being used across retail today
• AI and its role in customer experience and brand storytelling
• What CEOs are saying about AI and the future of jobs
• Why physical stores continue to matter
• Gen Z and renewed energy around in store shopping
• What to expect from NRF 2026 and upcoming industry priorities
• Key questions mid size retailers should ask after the holidays
• Rapid fire questions to close out the conversation

If you found this episode valuable subscribe to The Retail Pilot for more conversations with leaders shaping retail today. Share this episode with your team and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.