Retail Gets Real

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 [https://ivey.house.gov/] • jcpenney.com [https://www.jcpenney.com/] • Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/?utm_source=NRF.com&utm_medium=Home_CTA&utm_term=Save%2B300&utm_content=MK_AN25_nrfcom_RegDL_092424&utm_campaign=MK_AN25] • Become an NRF member [https://nrf.com/membership/nrf-membership] and join the world’s largest retail trade association • Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy [https://nrf.com/advocacy] • Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com [https://retailgetsreal.com] Related: • Join the movement to combat retail crime [https://nrf.com/blog/join-movement-combat-retail-crime]  • Thank You, Retail Crime Fighters [https://nrf.com/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 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/?utm_source=NRF.com&utm_medium=Home_CTA&utm_term=Save%2B300&utm_content=MK_AN25_nrfcom_RegDL_092424&utm_campaign=MK_AN25] • Become an NRF member [https://nrf.com/membership/nrf-membership] and join the world’s largest retail trade association • Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com [https://retailgetsreal.com] Related: • Consumer Trends in Halloween Shopping and Celebration [https://nrf.com/blog/consumer-trends-halloween-shopping-and-celebration]  • Halloween Spending to Reach Record $12.2 Billion As Participation Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels [https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/halloween-spending-reach-record-122-billion-participation-exceeds-pre] • Nearly Half of Halloween Shoppers to Start Purchasing Items Before October [https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/halloween-spending-reach-record-122-billion-participation-exceeds-pre]

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 [https://www.bjs.com/] • Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/?utm_source=NRF.com&utm_medium=Home_CTA&utm_term=Save%2B300&utm_content=MK_AN25_nrfcom_RegDL_092424&utm_campaign=MK_AN25] • Become an NRF member [https://nrf.com/membership/nrf-membership] and join the world’s largest retail trade association • Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org [https://nrffoundation.org] • Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy [https://nrf.com/advocacy] • Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com [https://retailgetsreal.com] Related: • BJ’s Chris Baldwin on what keeps this CEO up at night [https://nrf.com/blog/bjs-chris-baldwin-what-keeps-ceo-night] • NRF Retail Leadership Series: Chris Baldwin, Executive Chairman, BJ's Wholesale Club [https://nrf.com/video/nrf-retail-leadership-series-chris-baldwin-executive-chairman-bjs-wholesale-club] • Value, partnership and peanut M&M’s: BJ’s Wholesale Club aligns with Mars [https://nrf.com/blog/value-partnership-and-peanut-mms-bjs-wholesale-club-aligns-mars] Produced by Crate Media.

Embracing technology and innovation is key for global active lifestyle brand Fabletics. Chief Operating Officer Meera Bhatia shares how she is driving digital advances at Fabletics, her extraordinary career journey in tech and how AI can be used across functions. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com [https://www.retailgetsreal.com/].

Homefield is a collegiate apparel company specializing in vintage-inspired designs that offers licensed t-shirts, fleece, jackets and headwear from more than 200 universities. We talk to Co-founder and CEO Connor Hitchcock about how he started Homefield at age 23, why he doesn’t follow the usual marketing playbook, how the company creates unique customer experiences and his plans for future growth.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com [http://www.retailgetsreal.com/].