Rephonic
Artwork for Retail Gets Real
Retail
Retail Industry
Sustainability
E-Commerce
Artificial Intelligence
Retail Innovation
Gen Z
National Retail Federation
Consumer Behavior
Customer Experience
Organized Retail Crime
Kendra Scott
Consumer Spending
Covid-19
Leadership
Retail Technology
Tariffs
Community Engagement
Halloween
Generation Z

Retail impacts everyone, everywhere, every day. Join the National Retail Federation for authentic, insightful conversations with the industry's most interesting people. Hear retail executives, industry experts, entrepreneurs and influencers discuss trends, their career stories and the future of retail. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes414Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Retail Gets Real

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

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 ... more

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 r... more

From a wholesale-only business to a multi-channel global brand, Carhartt has expanded its reach without losing sight of who it serves: hardworking people. Linda Hubbard, president and CEO of Carhartt Inc., shares how one of America’s most iconic bran... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Mathews
NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research
National Retail Federation
Episode: 415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest
Joe Cano
Senior Vice President of Digital Commerce at Lowe's
Lowe's
Episode: 414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
Linda Hubbard
President and Chief Executive Officer at Carhartt, Inc.
Carhartt, Inc.
Episode: 413. Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
Brieane Olson
Chief Executive Officer, PacSun
PacSun
Episode: 412. How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun
Michelle Wlazlo
Brand CEO at JCPenney
JCPenney
Episode: 411. Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer
José Raul Padron
Design Lead of the Hershey Experience
Hershey's
Episode: 410. Inside the art of experiential retail at Hershey’s
Mary Beth Laughton
CEO of REI Co‑op
REI Co‑op
Episode: 409. Inside REI’s strategy for trust, community, and growth
Jennifer Yue
Senior Vice President of Tapestry and Coach Strategy and Consumer Insights, Coach Collaborations and Coach Topia
Coach (Tapestry)
Episode: 408. How Coach puts the consumer at the center of brand growth
Jake Neiman
Co-founder and CEO of BIG Digital
BIG Digital
Episode: 406. The rise of smart retail merchandising

Host

Bill Thorne
Host of Retail Gets Real with NRF; frequent guest host and connector to NRF leadership.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 109 ratings
  • Great content!!

    I’m an insights professional and have found the content and guests on this podcast to be excellent!! The content is super interesting and really goes into informative trends and research from some of the best in the industry. I learn so much from every single episode. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mksherrrr
    United States4 years ago
  • Real-ly great!

    Retail Gets Real has quickly become a favorite in my feed! I'm consistently impressed by the engaging conversations, insightful content, and actionable ideas. I truly learn something every time I listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arlie K
    United States5 years ago
  • Just essential

    And relevant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dmilare
    Brazil7 years ago
  • THANK YOU!!

    Hello! I recently graduated from FIT and am currently in an entry level position in retail. Listening to this podcast is the perfect way to keep up with what’s going on in retail. It’s an easy listen and very entertaining and informative. Please don’t stop recording!! This is great for all listeners of all ages to stay updated. Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    queengina4
    United States7 years ago
  • Retail Rockstars!

    The NRF team and their incredibly knowledgeable guests talk all things retail, but it’s so much more than that! You’ll get tons of actionable advice and tangible tips, but you’ll also get heaps of inspiration from truly engaging individuals that have been where you are and want to see you succeed. Thanks so much for putting out such a spectacular show guys - keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katie Joy B.
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring practical, actionable insights for retail leaders.
Listeners appreciate deep dives into AI, consumer trends, and brand strategy.
Content blends leadership stories with forward-looking retail tech discussions.
Some episodes balance breadth of topics with in-depth case studies.
The show is consistently relevant for retail executives seeking real-world guidance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#150
United States/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#106
Canada/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#165
Italy/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#22
Chile/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#91
Ukraine/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#95
Norway/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest
Q: What should retailers focus on to maintain resilience going into the summer and back-to-school season?
Retailers should protect and prioritize essential family spending, lean into promotions that support this area, and continue to adapt to consumer behavior shifts, especially as inflation and wage dynamics evolve.
415. Why retail remains stronger than headlines suggest
Q: What does the K-shape economy mean and how should retailers interpret it for strategy?
It means the higher-income segment is spending more robustly than lower-income groups, so retailers should tailor offerings and experiences to preserve engagement across income brackets rather than relying on a single aggregate growth story.
414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
Q: How did you manage the marketplace change and what were the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenges involved change management across merchandising and seller onboarding, ensuring a closed marketplace with controlled sellers, and balancing new marketplace dynamics with existing first-party data and private brands.
414. Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
Q: What is your approach to leadership?
Joe Cano describes a leadership style built on transparency, trust, a clear strategy, removing barriers, and an open-door policy, plus a commitment to continuous learning and soliciting feedback to improve.
413. Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
Q: Favorite TV show?
She mentions watching The Pit because her son is in medical school, reflecting personal family interests.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Gets Real

What is Retail Gets Real about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A broad, practitioner-focused retail podcast featuring senior executives, industry leaders, and technology-forward guests who discuss strategy, transformation, and the evolving shopping landscape. Across episodes, themes include digital commerce, direct-to-consumer strategies, AI and agentic shopping, experiential retail, and culture-driven leadership in large brands. Notable is the strong alignment with NRF-affiliated perspectives, a penchant for practical lessons from real-world retail leadership, and a consistent emphasis on customer experience, innovation, and workforce development. The show frequently features high-profile brand executives and NRF leadership, offering actionable takeaways for retailers, suppliers, and fintech partners ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Retail Gets Real?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Retail Gets Real:

1. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
2. The Best One Yet
3. Up First from NPR
4. Marketplace
5. Apple News Today

How many episodes of Retail Gets Real are there?

Retail Gets Real launched 9 years ago and published 414 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Retail Gets Real?

Recent guests on Retail Gets Real include:

1. Mark Mathews
2. Joe Cano
3. Linda Hubbard
4. Brieane Olson
5. Michelle Wlazlo
6. José Raul Padron
7. Mary Beth Laughton
8. Jennifer Yue

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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