We're looking back at a busy year for retail in the National Retail Federation. And looking ahead as well with National Retail Federation president and CEO, Matthew Shay. In this episode, Shay discusses what shaped 2019, what we're going to see in 2020.
First, some good news: 2019 has been an amazing year for retail, in spite of a great deal of uncertainty, both in the United States and around the world, as policy change and technological disruption impact retailers.
“If you think back about five years ago,” Shay says, “There was almost this question of whether the retail industry would survive. And that's no longer really a question. There are still a few pockets of folks who are naysayers that question the health of the industry, but overall, I think there's a recognition that you've got some real opportunities to perform and excel and multiple examples of companies that are doing that. And they're doing it not in the face of or in spite of this dramatic change but they are embracing it.”
Listen to the full episode to hear Shay’s complete thoughts on 2019 and this holiday shopping season, as well as how policy, societal shifts, and technology will affect retailers in 2020 and beyond.