In episode 312 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Marcelo Podesta, president of National Business Furniture (NBF), a Milwaukee-based commercial furniture retailer. Podesta discusses the various verticals and customers NBF serves, his career journey that brought him to the company, and how the business has adapted to changes in the furniture market due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, Podesta shares insights into NBF's shift to direct-to-consumer sales as more consumers built home offices, how the business experienced a large growth in first-time e-commerce customers, and some of the trends he's seeing in office furnishings as business shift to hybrid work models. Lastly, Podesta discusses how NBF's products fit the office of the future, the role office furnishings can play in workplace wellness, and what he's focused on to position NBF for future success.

Marcelo Podesta is president of National Business Furniture, where he leverages his extensive web and sales experience to help the company continue its omnichannel growth strategy. He brings extensive management experience in the retail and furniture industry to his leadership role at the company. Podesta’s previous role was as general manager at Art Van Furniture, a furniture retail chain based in Detroit, where he led new market territories and modernized operations. He also served as chief merchandising and supply chain officer at Brookstone, where he led the company’s transformation from a mall-based retailer into a product-focused company with a strong digital presence.