Retail Gets Real

How Bealls is shaping the next era of value shopping

Retail Gets Real episode 393: Matt Beall shares how a 110-year family legacy and strong company culture are driving growth at Bealls Inc.
October 15, 2025
Bealls store front.
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Matt Beall, Chairman and CEO, Bealls Inc.

Matt Beall, chairman and CEO of Bealls Inc., reflects on 110 years of family legacy, cultural evolution and the future of off-price retail. As a fourth-generation leader, Matt offers a rare look inside the company’s long-standing commitment to human-centered leadership — and how those values are shaping its future.

Becoming “One Bealls”

In recent years, the company has fully embraced an off-price identity. Once split between an off-price chain and a department store chain, Bealls has unified its merchandising and operations under one model — mirroring the approach of major off-price retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. This “One Bealls” strategy has streamlined the business, eliminated internal competition and strengthened its market position. “It’s been a complete flip,” Beall explains, pointing to how off-price retailers are the companies with the high market caps today. “Value is king.”

Putting people first

Beall describes a childhood growing up in the store, looking up to his father, who led the company. But while Bealls has been a family business for generations, Beall says its not the responsibility of a family legacy that drives him — it's serving today's customer and today's employees. "How can I help the people that are choosing to go through this journey of life with me and this company and work together in order to be successful? That's what motivates me," he says.

Beall's experience working in the stores shaped his leadership style and methods, including his practice of making unannounced store visits. Recalling his previous experience and all the anxiety executives' planned visits caused, Beall says dropping in casually keeps the focus where it should be — on the store, its associates and guests — not on him. And conversations with team members allow them to receive genuine feedback and compliments.

From its humble beginnings to its modern off-price strategy, Bealls’ story is one of resilience, evolution, and human connection. Matt Beall stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation, determined to keep the company’s values as strong as its growth.

Episode Chapters


(00:00:00) Early memories and family pressure

  • The weight of legacy and expectations as a fourth-generation leader

  • Why fear of “screwing it up” became a personal motivator

  • How confidence and values shaped his leadership vision


(00:05:27) Seeing the store through the customer’s eyes

  • How removing pressure improves employee engagement

  • What casual, informal visits uncover about culture and operations

  • The power of direct connection with store teams


(00:08:05) The power of the off-price model

  • Why off-price retail remains a winning strategy

  • How Bealls unified its business under “One Bealls”

  • What sets off-price value apart from traditional department stores


(00:14:25) Leading for people, not legacy

  • Why Matt focuses on employees over family history

  • How 15,000 team members shape his leadership motivation

  • Why separating legacy from responsibility keeps him grounded


(00:16:31) The future of retail

  • Why ease and speed will continue to shape shopping habits

  • How frictionless bricks-and-mortar experiences will evolve

  • How AI will drive personalization and product discovery


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