Retail Gets Real

Halloween isn’t just a holiday — it’s a full-fledged season of fun, community and record-breaking retail activity. Today we’re joined by Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year and why this festive tradition continues to grow in cultural and economic significance. (00:00:00) Turning homes into haunted experiences (00:05:59) From one night to an entire season (00:08:59) What consumers are buying this Halloween (00:11:25) Costumes that define the season (00:14:57) Why Halloween matters more than ever 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 • 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: • 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers [https://nrf.com/blog/how-butterball-builds-thanksgiving-traditions-with-customers] • 365: Halloween spending tricks, treats and trends [https://nrf.com/blog/halloween-spending-tricks-treats-and-trends]

Matt Beall, Chairman and CEO of Bealls Inc., reflects on 110 years of family legacy, cultural evolution, and the future of off-price retail. As a fourth-generation leader, Matt offers a rare look inside the company’s long-standing commitment to both financial discipline and human-centered leadership — and how those values are shaping its future. (00:00:00) Early memories and family pressure (00:05:27) Seeing the store through the customer’s eyes (00:08:05) The power of the off-price model (00:14:25) Leading for people, not legacy (00:16:31) 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: • Website: beallsinc.com [https://www.beallsinc.com/] • Matt Beall on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattbeallceo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbeallceo/] • 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: • 392: How Warby Parker is redefining retail and customer experience [https://nrf.com/podcast/how-warby-parker-is-redefining-retail-and-customer-experience] • 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success [https://nrf.com/blog/how-targets-consumer-first-strategy-drives-success]

From its early beginnings as a digitally native disruptor to becoming a household name in eyewear, Warby Parker has consistently challenged conventions in retail. Sandy Gilsenan, Warby Parker’s chief retail and customer experience officer, explores how the company is reshaping the customer journey and redefining what it means to be an innovative retailer today. (00:00:00) Gilsenan’s career path to Warby Parker (00:05:08) The power of omnichannel retail (00:07:43) Who is the Warby Parker customer? (00:10:30) Staying innovative and looking ahead (00:16:20) Harnessing AI to enhance retail (00:20:30) Advice for the next generation of retailers 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 • 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: • 384: The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth [https://nrf.com/podcast/the-digital-strategy-behind-mack-weldons-growth] • 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future [https://nrf.com/blog/how-customer-facing-ai-will-energize-retails-future]

Organizational success in retail ultimately comes down to people — finding the right talent, nurturing their growth and preparing them for the future. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine “Lo” Stomski and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie, discuss how retail leaders are reimagining talent acquisition, development and retention in a rapidly evolving industry. (00:00:00) Walmart’s first Chief Talent Officer (00:05:20) Why talent acquisition matters more than ever (00:09:00) Changing perceptions of retail careers (00:15:02) Building skills and pathways for career growth (00:19:24) Proof points that change lives (00:23:02) Talent strategies in uncertain times (00:28:12) The future of talent acquisition and AI 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: • NRF Foundation's RISE Up Program: nrffoundation.org/rise-up [https://nrffoundation.org/rise-up] • Walmart's Live Better U: corporate.walmart.com/about/working-at-walmart/live-better-u [https://corporate.walmart.com/about/working-at-walmart/live-better-u] • 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: • 351: The think tank for retail industry talent leaders [https://nrf.com/blog/think-tank-retail-industry-talent-leaders]

Cybersecurity has moved far beyond being just a technical issue — it is now a core business priority that directly impacts customer trust, operational resilience and the bottom line. We sit down with two industry leaders on the front lines of digital risk: Pam Lindemoen, chief security officer and vice president of strategy at the Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and Christian Beckner, vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity at the National Retail Federation. Together, they unpack the fast-changing cybersecurity landscape facing retailers today, from fraud and social engineering to the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence. (00:00:00) Building a united front in retail cybersecurity (00:04:41) Strengthening trust and evolving partnerships (00:07:49) Rising threats in retail cybersecurity (00:12:43) Investing in resilience and readiness (00:16:51) Looking ahead: cooperation and global expansion 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 • 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: • 366: How to fight back against organized retail crime [https://nrf.com/blog/how-fight-back-against-organized-retail-crime] • 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future [https://nrf.com/blog/how-customer-facing-ai-will-energize-retails-future] • 344: The future of AI in consumer experience [https://nrf.com/blog/future-ai-consumer-experience]