Retail Gets Real

More than 37,000 retail industry professionals came to NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show this January to talk about retail trends and technology. So how does a 120-person team bring an entire industry together? SVP of Conferences Susan Newman and VP of Event Content and Education Angela Elder chat about how it all comes together and the event’s impact on the industry. NRF’s Ellen Davis co-hosts.

The owner of Gallery Furniture, Jim "Mack” McIngvale, became a Houston icon and hometown hero for his commitment to giving back, especially after he turned his stores into shelters for victims of Hurricane Harvey. McIngvale joins this episode from NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show to share why caring for the community is so important in retail. PwC's Steve Barr co-hosts.

Luke Chatelain began his career as a molecular biologist and is now West Elm’s vice president of innovation. In this episode, he explains how his background prepared him to develop forward-thinking solutions for the furniture retailer.

Carlos Mateos Jr. got his start working part-time at his father’s McDonald’s and now owns the restaurant where he first flipped burgers. In this episode, Mateos discusses his dynamic career with McDonald’s and how automation is changing the business.

HSN gives entrepreneurs a platform to sell their products to a large television audience and the prospect of finding the next innovation energizes Dara Trujillo, VP of New Business Development. In this episode, Trujillo discusses how the company elevates entrepreneurs with business education, guidance and exposure, and chats about HSN's new American Dreams Academy program.

STORES Magazine Editor Susan Reda believes that 2017 was one of the most transformative periods of retail we’ve seen in decades and predicts that 2018 will continue to be just as dynamic, with technology playing an increasingly important role for both physical and digital retailers. Listen to learn more about her retail industry predictions for 2018.

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership helps connect retailers with qualified talent. CEO Karin Norington-Reaves discusses how workforce development initiatives help job-seekers, retailers and the entire retail industry, and chats about the importance of initiatives like the NRF Foundation’s RISE Up program.

As the largest external driver of consumer need, weather is more than just a conversation-starter for retailers. Evan Gold, EVP of global services at Planalytics, helps retailers account for weather when planning their business strategy for the coming year. The trick is to remove weather effects from historical data to arrive at a “weather-neutral baseline” from which to start making sound decisions. On this episode, learn how retailers can plan for a rainy day.

BJ’s Wholesale Club has 215 stores in 16 states and sells more fresh food per member than any of its club store competitors. CEO Chris Baldwin says his company’s 5 million members shop there frequently and that BJ’s offers them immense value. In this episode, Baldwin discusses what keeps the company competitive in a rapidly changing industry.

Gregg Renfrew believes that a woman with passion can really make a difference. She is the founder and CEO of Beautycounter, a health and beauty empire that empowers women with advocacy, education and safe products. Learn how Renfrew nurtures a remarkable connection with her coalition of consultants and how the company achieved exponential growth in just five years.