The day began with “Keeping a Classic Brand Modern“. “Ralph Lauren is about change and pushing the envelope,” stated David Lauren, who awed his audience this morning. He expressed how such a classic brand stays unique and modern. One way they continue to reach their customer and modernize their brand is by prompting their brand story through their ads. From shop-able fashion shows and story books on their website to 4D events; as a company they have created awesome new ways to connect to their customers. We will defiantly be seeing a lot of things from Ralph Lauren.

Have you heard of “Conscious Capitalism”? This is the ingenious idea used by retailers such as Whole Foods and The Container Store. After hearing Kip Tindell, Walter Robb, and Jonathan Sokoloff speak, I was hooked on the idea. These retailers offer values that matter for all their stakeholders, especially their employees. This is the way of the future!

Then I headed over to “What the Next Five Years of Retail Will be About”. Speaker Mitch Joel kept his audience involved and laughing the entire session. The hour flew by! Mitch gave his audience 5 great tips about where retail will be. Fact 5: One Screen — Mitch states that no matter how many technology screens are present, the one in front of the consumer is most important. As well as, be prepared to introduce touch transparent screens within your home. Minority Report here we come!

My day continued with “The Future Shopper: How Offline is the New Online”, “Fashion and The Future”, and making my way through the Expo Hall. At my first stop “The Future Shopper: How Offline is the New Online,” one trend to capitalize on is a digital wallet. Would you be willing to go fully digital? As well as we are married to our phones. We cannot go a day without our little computer in our hand. We must surf the web or purchase, purchase, purchase. During “Fashion and The Future”, I was excited to see updated fashions for the upcoming years; cut out dresses and 1950’s updates. Lastly, not only is the Expo Hall huge but I got lost 5 times. I wound up bumping into several people who looked like I did, a lost puppy. We exchanged laughs and were pointed in the right direction.

Another great and successful day at the Big Show!

That’s why NRF Foundation couldn’t be more proud that Mr. Tindell is out, front and center, delivering the message that “retail is the best profession out there.” In a recent letter to retail company executives, Mr. Tindell encourages employers to partner with NRF Foundation to help position retail as a tremendous career opportunity, for students and other jobseekers. Here’s an excerpt from his letter:

Dear Colleague:

I know you share my conviction that retail…yes, RETAIL, is without a doubt,
the best profession out there. It’s the most exciting, the most creative… products,
merchandising, marketing, logistics, technology, vendor partnerships and of course
the people.

I personally can’t think of another way I’d rather be spending my career than nurturing
a retail business and building mutually-beneficial relationships with everyone who we
come into contact with.

There is absolutely no reason that the best and brightest students coming out of school
shouldn’t consider retail as their career. So I’m writing to you today, to join me and The
Container Store along with many other world-class retailers in making sure that MANY,
MANY, MANY MORE of the best and brightest students coming out of school CHOOSE
RETAIL FOR THEIR CAREER by becoming a Retail Careers Employer Partner of the
NRF Foundation. It’s up to people like me and you to partner with the NRF Foundation
in positioning a career in retail as one filled with tremendous opportunity, innovation
and excitement.

[Read the full letter from Kip Tindell.]

We hope this message resonates with retail companies and encourages them to join our efforts to help attract the best and brightest talent to our industry.

Valentine’s Day is over.  You bought the flowers, the gifts and shared the romantic dinner. I can’t help but think about a different kind of love – a love for working in retail. What I love about this industry is that it provides a niche for everyone, whether it’s sales, marketing, buying, supply chain or logistics – anyone can find their passion, or love, working in retail.

Some of the industry’s best CEO’s have shared their stories about why they love the industry – the connection with the customers, the challenge of the industry, the theatrics and excitement it brings.  Now, we’d like to hear your story.

Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spencer Gifts, loves how retailing “from Day One got in his veins.” Kip Tindell, CEO of The Container Store, told us he always loved the excitement of retail. “The theater of it. The smile on the customer’s face when you’ve helped her find exactly the right solution for whatever she is working on that particular day.” Glen Senk, CEO of Urban Outfitters, said that retail allows him to be master of his own destiny. “I liked the fact that retailers have control over the products they carry, the selling environment and pricing. I also loved the theatrics of retail. There was a connection to the showmanship I have learned from my days with horses.” Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s, just loves this business. “It’s a privilege to come to work every day and do something I absolutely love to do, even in this very difficult economic environment… I love the challenge because I know our strategy and our organization structure is right and we have the talent to win.” 

We’ll be collecting stories throughout the month of February. To share your story, post a comment below!