Steve Dennis on What Makes Physical Retail Valuable [Video]

While at the 2025 National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City from Jan. 12-14, Total Retail’s Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Steve Dennis, president and founder of SageBerry Consulting, author and podcast host. In this video interview, Dennis shares the important trends and themes he saw emerge this past holiday season, what he’s expecting from consumers in 2025, and how retailers can best position themselves to adapt strategies for growth throughout the year. He adds his thoughts on which retail verticals could be the most challenged, why consumers continue to value experiences, and the key themes he identified at the 2025 NRF Big Show. Lastly, Dennis discusses the role of brick-and-mortar retail in today’s unified commerce model, including how brands can make physical retail valuable.