Retail Gets Real

399. Inside Retail’s Big Show: Innovation, AI and what’s coming next

Retail’s Big Show has long been the industry’s can’t-miss gathering.In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we get an inside look at what’s ahead for NRF 2026, straight from the leaders who bring the event to life. We’re joined by Susan Newman, senior vice president of event strategy at the National Retail Federation; Jill Dvorak, senior vice president of content; and Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director of NRF’s Center for Retail Sustainability, to preview what attendees can expect at the retail industry’s most influential event.(00:00:00) What “The next now” means for retail(00:04:42) Inside the NRF Expo experience(00:07:03) Keynotes, AI and must-see content(00:10:20) Networking, celebrations, and shared experiences(00:11:29) Introducing NRF Rev and the circular economy(00:13:27) Insider tips for navigating Retail’s Big ShowThe 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• Learn more about the all new NRF Rev• 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.comRelated:• 371: NRF 2025 preview: Big things are coming to Retail’s Big Show• 375: Tech, trade and taxes: What’s impacting retail in 2025

398. What Gen Z wants: insights shaping the future of retail

Gen Z is rapidly becoming one of the most influential consumer groups in the marketplace. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we hear from two guests who sit at the heart of this evolving landscape: Carly Berns, assistant vice president at Burns Communications Group and co-founder of The Z Suite, and Olivia Meyer, a Gen Z retail strategist and Z Suite member. Together, they explore what defines today’s youngest adult shoppers, how they influence retail trends and what retailers must do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, personalization and transparency reign supreme.(00:00:00) Introducing Gen Z’s growing influence on retail(00:04:00) How The Z Suite connects retailers with Gen Z(00:06:52) How Gen Z uses AI in the shopping journey(00:11:46) Why modern leaders can’t ignore social media(00:14:54) The future of retail: a 5–10 year outlookThe 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: bernscommunications.com• Website: thez-suite.com• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carly-berns-057b89bb• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviagmeyer• 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.comRelated:• 388: How Gen Z is transforming retail trends on Pinterest• 385: Lessons from a young retail leader

397. What’s driving holiday shopping in 2025

As the winter season approaches, families across the country are stepping into the holidays with renewed enthusiasm — and retailers are preparing for one of the most meaningful shopping periods of the year. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen breaks down the latest holiday data, uncovers shopping trends and shares the heartfelt traditions that define how Americans celebrate this time of year.From spending forecasts and toy trends to the influence of technology and the enduring magic of in-store discovery, this episode offers insights into what consumers value most — and why the holidays remain essential to so many.(00:00:00) Holiday kickoff and early shopping myths(00:07:38) What kids really want—and what toys are trending for 2025(00:11:35) Where holiday gift inspiration really comes from(00:16:41) The songs, foods, and flavors that define the holidays(00:19:58) The traditions that make the holidays meaningfulThe 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.comRelated:• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers• 394: Halloween trends: What’s driving record spending

396. How iHerb is leading the trillion-dollar wellness market

The wellness movement has gone global — and few companies embody that expansion better than iHerb. CEO Emun Zabihi explores how they’re transforming the way consumers access supplements and natural products worldwide. From humble beginnings in a Pasadena apartment to serving millions of customers in 180 countries, iHerb’s journey is a story of innovation, accessibility, and trust in an increasingly crowded marketplace. (00:00:00) The rise of the trillion-dollar wellness economy(00:08:57) Trends shaping the supplement industry(00:13:25) Global reach and the fight against counterfeits(00:18:35) The future of wellness and lessons in leadershipThe 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: iherb.com• Emun Zabihi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emun-zabihi• 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.comRelated:• 389: Purpose-driven retail: Stories of impact from leading brands

395. Adapting to the rise of AI shoppers

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of the retail landscape, and a new wave of agentic AI shoppers is changing how brands must think about data, experience and customer connection. Debra Langley, partner at CAPTIS Ventures, and Greg Merrill, president at Futura Fragua unpack the rapid rise of AI shopping agents and what this evolution means for the future of retail.(00:00:00) A new era of retail innovation(00:05:02) The rise of AI shopping agents(00:10:08) Explaining AI shoppers to traditional retailers(00:17:06) The promise and peril of AI(00:20:00) Why human experience still mattersThe 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:• CAPTIS Ventures• Futura Fragua• 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.comRelated:• 381: The innovators driving the future of retail• 364: How BJ’s Wholesale Club leverages AI to serve its customers