Retail Gets Real

Technology is transforming how consumers shop, but the most exciting innovations aren't just about making things faster or easier; they're about creating experiences that better reflect what customers actually want. Wayfair Chief Technology Officer Fiona Tan joins Retail Gets Real to discuss the future of retail technology, the importance of building strong teams and how retailers can embrace innovation while keeping customers at the center of everything they do.

(00:00:00) From technology to retail
(00:05:06) Building strong teams through effective leadership
(00:09:00) The rewards of solving problems in retail
(00:10:17) Navigating technology and innovation in retail
(00:14:22) How AI is reshaping shopping and product discovery

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:
• Read the NRF Foundation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future for 2027
• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:
• 421: How Nuuly is shaping the future of fashion rental
• 414: Building the future of digital commerce at Lowe’s
• 384: The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth

Fashion rental is changing how consumers think about their closets, and Nuuly has been helping shape that shift since launching in 2019. Kim Gallagher, executive director of marketing and customer success at Nuuly, discusses the origins of the rental business, the importance of staying close to customers, and why moving quickly and decisively matters in retail. She also shares her approach to leadership and what changing consumer behaviors could mean for the future of the industry.

(00:00:00) From the service industry to retail
(00:05:35) Building Nuuly around the customer
(00:13:25) Taking risks and leading through change
(00:23:20) Keeping up with changing customer behavior

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 NRF 2027: Retail’s Big Show in NYC
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about the NRF Foundation at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:
• 412: How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun
• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
• 403: Building a people-first culture in modern retail with Ulta Beauty

Halloween is no longer just one spooky night in October. NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller joins Retail Gets Real to unpack the latest Halloween data, from consumer spending and earlier shopping to costumes, candy and how economic concerns are shaping the season.

(00:00:00) Why Halloween shopping is starting earlier
(00:05:59) When is it too early for Halloween?
(00:09:23) The great Halloween candy debate
(00:13:49) What’s trending in Halloween costumes

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
• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:
• 397: What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025
• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending
• 410: Inside the art of experiential retail at Hershey’s

Creative collaborations have become a powerful and fresh way to connect with consumers, but the most successful partnerships are about far more than celebrity names or limited-edition products. Gigi Guerra, vice president of marketing and creative curation at Target, shares how thoughtful storytelling, guest insights and authentic partnerships come together to create moments that resonate across generations.

(00:00:00) From fashion design to leading iconic retail brands
(00:09:21) The strategy behind Target's biggest collaborations
(00:14:43) Creating collaborations people can't wait to experience
(00:18:19) Why the best collaborations create lasting memories
(00:21:55) How social media shapes modern retail collaborations

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 and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn more from retail’s most innovative leaders at an NRF event.
• Learn about retail education and training from the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:
• 376: How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping

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 and join the world’s largest retail trade association
• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com

Related:
• 412: How Brieane Olson is shaping the future of youth retail at Pacsun
• 360: How Kendra Scott’s ‘fashion-for-philanthropy’ vision transforms communities