Retail Gets Real

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
• Lowe’s Marketplace
• 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:
• 413: Leading Carhartt through growth, culture and change
• 395: Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers

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 brands has grown while staying grounded in its original purpose.

(00:00:00) Growing Carhartt beyond wholesale
(00:05:50) Leading change inside a legacy family business
(00:10:08) Career growth, mentorship, and asking for more
(00:14:22) How the Carhartt customer has evolved
(00:17:52) Carhartt’s strategy for opening stores
(00:20:12) Inside the Carhartt and Ford collaboration
(00:23:38) The future of retail: AI, resale and direct growth

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:
• Forged In Detroit: Carhartt And Ford Announce Partnership To Strengthen Essential Economy
• 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:
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
• 349: How Arc’teryx is reaching new heights while staying loyal to its core customers

Brieane Olson has spent nearly two decades helping reshape Pacsun. She joins Retail Gets Real to share what it takes to evolve a legacy retail brand without losing sight of the customer. With a retail career that began at age 15, her foundation in fashion still shapes how she leads today. The connection point between product and consumer remains an energizing part of her career journey, and influences how she leads people, sets strategy and guides the business through constant change.

(00:00:00) Olson’s path to CEO
(00:07:40) Pacsun’s evolution from retailer to brand
(00:12:58) Inside Olson’s new book, “Co-Created”
(00:15:16) Leading through change and uncertainty
(00:20:20) Why leading mission-first is essential for the future of retail
(00:24:10) What Gen Z and Gen Alpha are saying now

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:
• Preorder “Co-Created” by Brieane Olson
• 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:
• 411: Redefining JCPenney for today’s customer
• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale

Retail is evolving at an incredible pace, but at its core, it still comes down to people. Michelle Wlazlo, brand CEO of JCPenney, joins Retail Gets Real to share her grounded and optimistic perspective on where the industry is headed and why the fundamentals of serving customers remain as important as ever.
(00:00:00) A retail career shaped by customers
(00:06:44) Why physical stores aren’t going anywhere
(00:09:02) Reintroducing JCPenney to a new generation of customers
(00:15:52) The forces reshaping retail right now
(00:17:52) Career advice that changes how you lead and grow
(00:19:54) What will and won’t change in the future of retail
(00:22:24) The joy of shopping beyond just buying

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:
• Yes—JCPenney: Their Boldest Campaign Yet
• 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:
• 393: How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping
• 401: How Old Navy is building opportunity at scale

Retail stores remain powerful spaces for storytelling, connection and cultural relevance. José Raul Padron, design lead for the Hershey Experience at The Hershey Company, joins this episode of Retail Gets Real to share how thoughtful retail design transforms everyday shopping into memorable experiences. From immersive brand homes to viral product moments, he says physical retail continues to evolve in a digital-first world.
(00:00:00) From chocolate legacy to retail design leadership
(00:06:04) Why physical retail still matters in a digital world
(00:11:17) Building immersive retail moments that capture culture
(00:14:07) Where creative inspiration for retail design comes from
(00:16:31) Inside the Hershey’s creative hub in Pennsylvania
(00:17:49) Career advice for the next generation of retail creatives

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:
• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending
• 367: How Kraft Heinz deploys omnichannel strategies across emerging global markets