The Real Tale of Retail and Wholesale… all the dirty secrets
The Real Tale of Retail and Wholesale peels back the polished storefronts to spill the tea. With 40 years in the wholesale side (Matthew) and 20 years in the retail side (Christina) we’ve seen it all and now we’re sharing it! From shady deals and markup secrets to buyer drama. We dish it out with honesty and humor. Welcome to the side of fashion business no one talks about...
Grocery Outlet and more
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
We should start taking notes on what we chat about but like who can keep up! haha
just listen you'll find out what we talked about
QVC, bloopers and beauty
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
We are happy that QVC and Saks are out of Chapter 11.
We chat about the bloopers and beauty and everything in between!
From Penny Items to Tik Tok Shop to Pickles!
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
in this episode we talk about penny items available at the dollar tree- as well as modernizing the assortment- shocking!
we love TikTok she getting some marketshare- they are now an off price retailer creating competition for TJ's, Marshalls, Burlington etc.
Christina went on an interview and got behind the scenes on how whatnot auctions work! it was so cool!
Anyone else guilty of wearing clothes then returning? or j...
Christina's roadmap from Hell
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
do you really want to know?
and do you have a story that can top this nightmare!?
July 28
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
July 21
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
July 14th
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
July 6th
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
Western Part 2- Harry Hudson- Boot Historian
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
On this episode we talk with Harry Hudson who is basically a boots and buckles historian. He owned his own store called Two Moons Trading Company. He designed one of a kind belt buckles, tips and keepers.
He's truly one of a kind himself.
Much to do about nothing
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode we talked about everything and nothing in between.
Costco closing on holiday- duh!
Gas Prices in California- up to $6
Distressed Denim- in or out
Christina's HSN adventures.
Western Wear goes mainstream
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode we talk to Bill Carnes, the Director of Apparel for Hatco. One of the largest hat companies in the country.
He breaks down trends vs mainstream vs myths. What is a real cowboy?
Fast Fashion and new laws
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode we touch on how the European Union is taking steps to adopt sustainable inventory practices.
Edward Jones III- a retrospective from the 70's - 80's
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
We interviewed Edward (Eddie) Jones on his remarkable career starting as a stock floor seller at Neiman Marcus all the way up to his career with Perry Ellis.
The Jetty Brand
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
On this episode we interviewed Jeremy DeFilippis, co founder of Jetty.
He walks us though his early days with a simple idea on a t-shirt to today having 2 locations and sold in over 700 stores.
Enjoy this fun ride!
Returns Done for You?! Plus GLP-1 Talk & Fashion Shifts
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode, we’re diving into the latest shifts in retail, wellness, and what consumers actually want right now. Uber is stepping into convenience in a big way—announcing they’ll handle your returns for you. Game changer?
Meanwhile, Amazon is entering the GLP-1 space, making it easier to access prescriptions—and Christina shares a personal moment, opening up about being on one herself. No shame, just real talk.
We also get...
Finance Bros in Loro Piana?! Plus Walmart, Buc-ee’s & AI Drama
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode, we’re covering everything from subtle luxury signals to major retail shakeups. Why are finance guys suddenly wearing Loro Piana, and what does that say about where luxury is headed?
We also get into the backlash around Duolingo leaning into AI—and why it’s not sitting right. Then it’s a mix of retail, culture, and a little chaos: Buc-ee’s expansion (and yes, the ongoing mispronunciation), plus Matthew’s very solid...
If It’s at Costco… Is the Brand Over? Let’s Talk Luxury Myths
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode, we’re breaking down the buzz around the Parks x Target collaboration and what it really says about brand partnerships right now. We also dive into how Tapestry brands—and luxury as a whole—are actually performing behind the headlines.
From the rise of luxury resale to the truth about diffusion lines, we’re unpacking why accessibility doesn’t dilute a brand—it expands it. And no, just because you spot somethi...
The Mall Comeback, Comp Shopping Explained & How to Save More
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
Are malls making a comeback? Gen Z might think so 👀
In this episode we break down:
• Why the instant gratification generation actually wants to shop in person again
• What comp shopping really means (and why retailers watch competitors closely)
• How deal-seeking apps and tools like Capital One Shopping help consumers save
• Why some struggling malls are being repurposed into pickleball courts and...
Retail Shakeups: Target Drops Ulta, Lululemon Pressure & Vinyl Is Back
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode has retail insight AND an unplanned moment we couldn’t edit out 🤭
We talked:
• Target’s beauty expansion and what happens as Ulta exits stores
• Is Lululemon feeling pressure right now? shifting demand + more competition
• Matthew’s strong opinions on child cooking shows 😂
• The surprising resurgence of vinyl records and why analog is trending again
• AND yes… Matthew snorted during the recording and...
Private Label Truths & Why Grocery Is Driving Retail Growth
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
New episode and we covered A LOT 👀
• Private label pros & cons (where retailers really make margin)
• Matthew admits he couldn’t exactly own up to some pricing math mistakes when we worked together 😅
• Grocery wars… who’s actually the cheapest?
• Target’s quiet growth story — groceries now make up 23% of their revenue
• And 55% of customer baskets include food & beverage 🍎
Translation? Grocery is drivi...
The Confetti Lie, the Spaghetti Incident & Getting Fired From Retail
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
In this episode Matthew starts things off by admitting he may have lied about the Super Bowl confetti being recycled… so we had to address that immediately. 😂
Then we got into some classic retail stories from our early days:
• The famous Target 10-4 rule (make eye contact at 10 feet, greet at 4 feet) — which Christina admits she has never loved
• The time Christina got fired from...
Trust Your Hand: Fabric Secrets from a the Fabric Professor
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
We had a special guest — Greg (aka The Professor) — breaking down the truth about fabric, yarns, blends & stretch👀
We talked:
• Poly vs cotton and why blends matter
• Recycled poly that used to take 97 years to break down… now closer to 3 years
• Why 98% cotton / 2% stretch actually gives way more stretch than you think (closer to 15%)
• How athleisure changed the way garments are made
• Elasti...
Retail Wholesale 101
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
If you’ve ever wondered how a product actually gets into a store, this episode is for you.
Matthew and I are pulling back the curtain on the retail buying process and sharing real insider tips from both sides of the table.
In this episode we talk about:
• How to get into a store to pitch your brand or product
• What buyers are re...
Shrink Flation- is it real?
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
Another episode of The Real Tale of Retail & Wholesale and Matthew came prepared… with tariffs (again 😅).
This week we covered:
• Tariffs and why they keep creeping into retail conversations
• The “monkey getting integrated into the monkey kingdom” (Matthew’s words, not mine)
• Shrinkflation vs. flattening packages — is it real or are we just noticing more?
• Gas prices climbing again and what that means for everyday spending
• The shocking news that Hooters is...
Food Chains Everywhere, Borrowed Brand Colors & Credit Card Panic
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode spiraled quickly 😂
We started with Costco vs Sam’s Club and why the same club sells totally different stuff depending on where you shop (rude).
Then we fell into food wars—how many chains exist and why they’re all fighting for our stomachs—PLUS the moment people realize Aldi owns Trader Joe’s and need to sit down 🤯.
We compared Home Depot vs Lo...
She Sold Frozen Pizza for $20M… Then We Talked Hot Dogs
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode was a ride 😂
We talked about Katie Lee—from being homeless and making frozen pizzas… to selling the business to Target for $20 MILLION 🤯.
Then we dove into:
💍 the rise of divorce rings (yes, it’s a thing)
✨ a Cape May estate jewelry tip: Queen May
🏠 burping your house (what it is + how to do it)
🎧 why you should listen to th...
Everyone’s Getting Laid Off… So We Talked Travel and French Toast
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode went everywhere 😂
Matthew’s Deal of the Day, $25 shipping to send a package to his grandkids (ouch), corporate layoffs everywhere, Amazon shutting down food + testing a massive big-box store, travel slowing down (perfect timing for Christina to become a travel agent ✈️😉)…
AND THEN—
💥 Costco sells GOLD. Actual GOLD.
Christina was fully shocked and needed a moment.
We somehow wrapped it all up w...
Store Closings, Mel Robbins & Retail Notes on a Napkin
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode is a little unhinged (in the best way).
We break down Chapter 11 vs. Chapter 7—what they actually mean and why people confuse them all the time. We also talk about the Mel Robbins Podcast… which Matthew is just now discovering (yes, we had thoughts 😂).
Then Matthew brings the receipts—literally—showing up with store-closing notes written on a napkin while walking us through maj...
From Sears to Snoop: Reinvent or Disappear
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This week, we’re digging into why store closings are back — even local pharmacies aren’t safe — and why bankruptcies are hitting a 15-year high. We talk Starbucks shrinking its footprint, the western industry as a whole (including why tariffs on leather hides are some of the highest out there), and why the western market is projected to soar by 2032. We also break down luxury shopping habits, Walmart quietly winning over more affluent customers, sneaky changes...
Bankruptcies, Tariffs & the Cost of Doing Business
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This week, we’re digging into why store closings are back — even local pharmacies aren’t safe — and why bankruptcies are hitting a 15-year high. We talk Starbucks shrinking its footprint, the western industry as a whole (including why tariffs on leather hides are some of the highest out there), and why the western market is projected to soar by 2032. We also break down luxury shopping habits, Walmart quietly winning over more affluent customers, sneaky changes...
Deal-of-the-Day Socks & Other Strong Opinions
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This episode is a little money, a little shopping, and a lot of opinions. We break down Kelly Lee’s financial advice for kids and her books — Christina is officially buying — while Matthew is firmly against the “deal of the day” socks for every occasion (Christina, of course, believes). We also get into how much water is actually used to cool AI servers like ChatGPT, the billions of dollars in holiday returns crushing retailers, and why public...
Everyone’s in the Bathroom & Retail Is Feeling It
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
On the next episode, things take a turn… straight to poop. And then somehow more poop. We talk about the fact that you can apparently have up to 15 pounds in your gut (you’re welcome), which leads to a completely unhinged conversation about why everyone seems to be in the bathroom more. From there, we bring it back to retail—Home Depot and Staples foot traffic is dow...
Retail in a Deep Freeze: Fries, Beer & Beef Prices
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
On the next episode, we’re breaking down the Cracker Barrel logo change and why people are absolutely in an uproar(spoiler: not everything needs a rebrand). We get into McDonald’s fries, how franchises are making up their own prices, and Matthew’s deep nostalgia-driven Big Mac obsession from back in the day. We’re also recording while freezing in Christina’s basement, debati...
Color of the Year: White (LOL), Costco Changes & Viral Beauty
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This week on the pod, we’re talking about the 2026 Color of the Year—and yes, it’s white (groundbreaking). We break down how TikTok is officially taking over the beauty industry, why a tiny Italian restaurant made a huge splash on ABC Nightly News, and the year-over-year increase in food prices that everyone is feeling. Christina is testing viral TikTok beauty products so you do...
Don’t Get Roped In: Gambling Ads, Kid Phones & BBW’s Identity Crisis
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This week, Christina and Matthew dive into the wild world of modern distractions — starting with the nonstop gambling commercials flooding TV and why they’re becoming a real problem. Christina urges listeners: don’t get roped in by the hype.
Then we jump into the reality every parent is facing: kids getting cell phones as early as age 11. Christina shares her personal twist — why she actually believes phones should be in sc...
Returns Aren’t Free, Gift Cards Aren’t Safe & There’s a Fox
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
From Nordstrom Rack’s massive store footprint to the gift card scam happening before money even hits the card, we’re breaking down what shoppers need to know this holiday season. We also talk about which stores are now charging for returns (and why that’s becoming the norm). And because it wouldn’t be our podcast without chaos, Christina introduces a new Christmas tradition involving stealing a fox…...
Five Sears Left, $90B Lawsuits & Matthew’s Cafeteria Crisis
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
On this week’s episode: Buckle up — Christina and Matthew are spiraling (in the best way) over the fact that Sears only has five stores left… FIVE. We talk about why everyone is somehow buying furniture online again, Costco coming in hot with a $90 billion lawsuit over tariffs, and Matthew mourning the tragic loss of his beloved Morrison’s cafeteria.
Plus: we break down why the T...
After Thanksgiving episode
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
Christina and Matthew dive into the retail chaos we’re all living in — from deferred payments becoming everyone’s new “budgeting strategy” to the shocking rise of quarter-zips as the unexpected “it” item of the season. We unpack why Black Friday is basically extinct (spoiler: it’s a full-month marathon now), plus the staggering percentage of holiday shopping happening right from our phones. If you love retail tea, insider takes, and a little buyer-b...
Brisket, Buc-ee’s & Becoming a Barcoded Human”
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
We’re back — and this week’s episode smells like brisket and fear of the future.
🚗 Matthew took a road trip, discovered Buc-ee’s, and now thinks it’s a sacred destination (clean bathrooms and smoked meat? spiritual).
🧾 We break down self-checkout — who’s actually using it and who’s just triggering the “unexpected item in bagging area” alarm for sport.
🛒 Amazon’s testing walk-out scanning stores, and Christina’s convinced w...
Gen Z, Spray Tans & the Death of the Farmers Almanac
Hey it's us! CLICK HERE!! Shoot us a text with a question or a comment! We can't wait to hear from you!!
This week, we cover everything from Olympic logos to peanut butter meltdowns.
❄️ Winter Olympics branding — and the new Nike jacket that’s somehow both iconic and confusing.
📘 Farmers Almanac might be gone… thanks to AI (because apparently even the weather got automated).
💎 Luxury goods are thriving while the rest of us are comparing prices at Aldi.
👩💻 Christina had to Google what Gen Z actually is.
🧴 Matthew’s considering a spray tan. Christina’s blanking on...
