415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest

418. How Hanna Andersson built a brand families trust

Hanna Andersson has spent decades building a reputation for quality children's apparel that families trust and pass down from generation to generation. Aimée Lapic, CEO of Hanna Andersson, joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how the company continues to grow while staying true to its mission of championing childhood. (00:00:00) A customer-first career in retail (00:03:51) Leadership through teamwork and authenticity (00:08:50) Designing a brand around childhood (00:11:20) Turning resale into a competitive advantage (00:15:32) Building a culture designed for working families (00:20:24) What keeps customers coming back 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 [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: • 412: How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun [https://nrf.com/podcast/how-brieane-olson-is-shaping-the-future-of-youth-retail-at-pacsun] • 360: How Kendra Scott’s ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision transforms communities [https://nrf.com/blog/how-kendra-scotts-fashion-philanthropy-vision-transforms-communities]

417. The evolution of outlet shopping in a changing retail landscape

Outlet shopping has come a long way from its origins as a place for manufacturers to sell excess inventory. Today, consumers are looking for much more than a deal, and Tanger is evolving alongside them. Stephen Yalof, president and CEO of Tanger Inc., joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how shopping centers are becoming entertainment destinations, the resilience of today's shoppers and why the future of retail is still very much rooted in physical experiences. (00:00:00) The evolution of outlet retail (00:06:15) Reimagining the outlet experience (00:10:08) Understanding today's retail consumer (00:13:34) Leadership lessons from the top (00:16:32) From dealmaker to CEO (00:19:30) The three notes rule (00:23:02) What excites Stephen Yalof about retail's future 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 [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: • 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer [https://nrf.com/podcast/redefining-jcpenney-for-todays-customer] • 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping [https://nrf.com/podcast/how-bealls-is-shaping-the-next-era-of-value-shopping]

416. Inside Stanley 1913’s evolution from utility to lifestyle

What started as a rugged utility product built for workers and outdoor enthusiasts has evolved into one of the most recognizable lifestyle brands in retail: Stanley 1913, part of PMI WW Brands LLC. Matt Navarro, global brand president, PMI WW Brands LLC (Stanley 1913), joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how Stanley balanced explosive viral growth with long-term brand building, global expansion and product innovation. (00:00:00) Building a career through mentorship and growth (00:03:59) Reinventing Stanley for a new generation (00:08:09) Understanding Stanley’s evolving consumer (00:10:21) The partnerships driving Stanley’s cultural relevance (00:14:29) Balancing Stanley’s heritage with innovation (00:16:05) The innovation history behind Stanley’s products (00:18:09) What leadership looks like inside Stanley 1913 (00:22:01) What’s next for Stanley 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 [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: • 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change [https://nrf.com/podcast/leading-carhartt-through-growth-culture-and-change] • 350: Comfort, collaboration and imaginative innovation at Crocs [https://nrf.com/blog/comfort-collaboration-and-imaginative-innovation-crocs]

415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest

Retail sales remain strong, consumers are still spending and yet economic anxiety continues to dominate headlines. NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews joins Retail Gets Real to unpack the contradictions shaping today’s economy, from record-low consumer sentiment to resilient retail performance. (00:00:00) Why consumers keep spending despite economic anxiety (00:05:17) Why family spending stays strong during economic pressure (00:07:03) What the K-shaped economy actually means (00:09:15) How retailers are adapting to a new generation of consumers (00:11:11) Why retail remains one of the most misunderstood industries (00:15:23) What makes a great economist 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 [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: • 387: Behind the data: Insights from NRF’s top economists [https://nrf.com/podcast/behind-the-data-insights-from-nrfs-top-economists] • 400: How retail navigated uncertainty and transformation in 2025 [https://nrf.com/podcast/how-retail-navigated-uncertainty-and-transformation-in-2025] • 397: What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025 [https://nrf.com/podcast/whats-driving-holiday-shopping-in-2025]

414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s

Digital transformation in retail is no longer optional, and few leaders have had a front-row seat to its evolution quite like Joseph Cano, senior vice president of digital commerce at Lowe’s. With technology evolving daily and customer expectations rising just as fast, success comes down to one thing — staying relentlessly focused on the customer. That mindset has shaped every step of Cano’s career, with each experience reinforcing the same lesson: When the customer is at the center, navigating new business models and constant disruption becomes easier. (00:00:00) From retail stores to digital leadership (00:07:19) Launching Lowe’s Marketplace at speed (00:10:13) How AI is reshaping the customer experience (00:16:00) A leadership style built on trust and transparency (00:18:59) Inside the culture driving Lowe’s forward (00:21:25) Staying ahead in a constantly evolving retail landscape (00:23:51) A 10-year prediction for the future of 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: • Lowe’s Mylo AI Shopping Assistant [https://www.lowes.com/l/about/ai-at-lowes] • Lowe’s Marketplace [https://www.lowes.com/l/shop/lowes-marketplace] • 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: • 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change [https://nrf.com/podcast/leading-carhartt-through-growth-culture-and-change] • 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers [https://nrf.com/podcast/adapting-to-the-rise-of-ai-shoppers]