The RealReal CEO to Be Honored by NRF as Retail Leader
Julie Wainwright is on the National Retail Federation’s 2022 list of “People Shaping Retail’s Future.”

One of the honorees on the 2022 list of “People Shaping Retail’s Future” is The RealReal Founder and CEO Julie Wainwright, the woman behind the luxury consignment giant.
From high-priced handbags to high-end clothing, the retailer sells all types of luxury goods. Its watch and jewelry sales have been doing particularly well.
Wainwright founded The RealReal in 2011 at her kitchen table, visiting consignors at their homes with a U-Haul truck, the company’s website states.
The RealReal now has 18 retail locations where customers can sell, consult with experts, and receive free valuations in person.
The other honorees are Five Below President and CEO Joel Anderson, McDonald’s Corporation President and CEO Chris Kempczinsk, CVS Health Executive Vice President and CVS Pharmacy President Neela Montgomery, and Chewy CEO Sumit Singh.
“This year’s honorees have each led their companies through incredible changes,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and CEO of Macy’s and chairman of the NRF Foundation Board of Directors, in a press release announcing the honorees.
Over the next several weeks, the NRF Foundation will feature the honorees in a series of videos for a behind-the-scenes look at how they built their careers and what their impact on the retail industry has been.
In Wainwright’s video, she gives a nod to gemologists around the 12-minute mark when highlighting careers in the retail industry some may not think of at first.
She noted the company helps employees receive gemology training and shows them how to authenticate luxury brands.
WATCH: The RealReal’s Julie Wainwright Shares Her Insights
The 2022 NRF Foundation Honors will be held Jan. 16 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
The event will be co-hosted by Gennette and National Retail Federation Board Chairman Mike George, who is set to retire this year as president and CEO of Qurate Retail.
For more information about the event, visit the NRF website.
The Latest

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.


The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.























