Terry Lundgren on career advice
From Retail & The Runway: Terry J. Lundgren (Episode 2) · · Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing
“I think um if I was 21 again, I I I would definitely focus on um relationships um because because I think the skills we will all learn in in any roles that we're going to have over time just by repetition uh be, you know, you can get experience is great. Uh but you'll get those those two. But you know what's going to connect with uh a recruiter is the your uh relationship skills.”
On , Terry Lundgren, Former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Macy's, spoke about career advice during Retail & The Runway: Terry J. Lundgren (Episode 2) on Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing.
About Terry Lundgren
Terry Lundgren, former chairman and CEO of Macy's, appeared on the podcast "Retail & The Runway" on May 1, 2026, hosted by Ashley Morgan. During the episode, Lundgren discussed the responsibilities of a CEO, stating that he felt responsible for the 140,000 employees he oversaw at Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Blue Mercury. He also addressed the future of retail, arguing that the strongest retailers will be those that offer an omnichannel shopping experience, combining physical stores with online sales. He noted that Amazon has succeeded without mastering the physical side of the business but said that for most other retailers, a formula involving both physical and online sales will be most successful. Lundgren also commented on the role of artificial intelligence in retail, saying that while many believe AI will help them, they are unsure how. He advised that people should learn more about technology and AI, adding that AI "will more than likely replace some jobs but will create other jobs." Additionally, he encouraged students to make personal connections with executives, suggesting that taking the initiative to introduce oneself can leave a positive impression and provide a competitive edge.