Every January, the global retail industry gathers in New York to assess where retail stands and where it is headed next. NRF 2026: The Big Retail Show continues this tradition with Three days of talks on strategy, technology and leadership At the Jacob K. Convention Center. Javits.
This year’s event comes at a time when retailers are under pressure to move faster, operate smaller and make better decisions regarding pricing, inventory, supply chain and customer engagement. NRF 2026 reflects this reality. The agenda focuses on implementation, practical innovation, and learning from leaders of organizations that have already done so Mobile change at scale.
Meet the Fusemachines team at NRF to talk about real-world AI challenges for retail and what it takes to move from pilots to production.
Here’s what attendees can expect from NRF 2026.
A program designed around real retail challenges
NRF 2026 features an extensive program of keynotes, featured sessions and focused discussions spanning the entire programme Retail value chain. Sessions are organized around topics such as customer experience, operations, business models, talent, leadership and technology innovation.
Rather than predicting abstract trends, much of the content is based on how retailers are responding to current restrictions. Topics include managing cross-channel complexity, improving operational efficiency, and adapting to transformation consumer behavior, And using technology to support faster decision-making without increasing regulatory burden.
This structure allows attendees to move between strategic conversations and tactical sessions depending on their role and priorities.
Key high-level ideas and leadership perspectives
The NRF keynote sessions remain one of the main attractions of the event. In 2026, the flagship group will combine retail executives with leaders from adjacent industries who provide a perspective on brand building, growth and operating at scale.
These sessions are designed to frame the broader conversation of the show. It defines the way retail leaders think about competition, flexibility and long-term differentiation in a rapidly evolving market. For many attendees, the keynotes provide a useful lens through which to interpret the rest of the week’s programming.
Artificial intelligence, technology and practical innovation
Technology remains a primary focus of NRF 2026, with particular attention given to it How retailers apply AI and data across real business functions. The dedicated AI phase combines sessions that explore topics such as automation, personalization, prediction and decision support.
What stands out in the 2026 agenda is the focus on practical dissemination. Discussions focus less on experimentation and more on integration. Retailers share lessons on what it takes to move from pilots to production systems, how to align technology investments with business outcomes, and how to manage change within existing teams.
This shift reflects the reality of the broader industry. Many organizations are no longer wondering whether to adopt AI, but rather how to do so responsibly and efficiently without slowing down implementation.
Exhibition Floor: Scope, Discover, and Evaluate Solutions
NRF remains one of the largest retail technology shows in the world, with more than a thousand exhibitors in software, hardware, data, logistics and services. For many attendees, the expo is where strategy meets reality.
In addition to traditional booths, NRF 2026 includes curated areas such as the Startup Hub, NRF Innovators Showcase, and the Foodservice Innovation Zone. These spaces highlight emerging solutions, early-stage companies, and sector-specific innovations.
Exhibition-based Big Ideas sessions allow attendees to hear short, focused presentations directly from solution providers and retail practitioners, providing a practical complement to the broader conference sessions.
Communication, community and informal learning
The NRF has long recognized that a large portion of an event’s value comes from informal interactions. NRF 2026 includes a wide range of networking opportunities, From organized meetings and guided tours for informal conversations over coffee.
Signature events like Donut Dunks, executive gatherings, and evening experiences like Retail’s Big Concert create a space to build relationships outside of formal sessions. For many teams, these moments are as important as the agenda itself, enabling peer learning and long-term partnerships.
Specialized programs outside the main offer
In addition to the core conference, NRF 2026 includes adjacent programs that allow attendees to delve into specific areas of interest. One example is NRF Rev, a parallel event focused on reverse logistics, sustainability and circular retail operations.
Retail store tours around New York City offer another perspective, giving participants the opportunity to see how leading brands translate strategy into in-store execution.
These extensions make the NRF more than just a single conference and allow teams to customize their experience based on role and goals.
Fusemachines team at NRF 2026
We’ll be at NRF 2026 in New York, and we’ll be connecting with retail leaders, product teams, and technology decision-makers throughout the event.
Meet the Fusemachines team to talk about real AI challenges in retail and what it takes to move from beta to production.
During the show, we’ll have focused one-on-one conversations about how retailers can apply AI across pricing, forecasting, allocation and inventory, and what it takes to move from pilots to production without adding complexity.
Our product and AI leaders will be available for pre-scheduled meetings and informal coffee chats across the NRF.
Meet with our team to:
- Discuss practical use cases for AI in retail operations and decision making
- Discover how teams move faster without long hiring cycles
- Share lessons learned from building and deploying production AI systems
- Understand what responsible, scalable AI looks like in real retail environments
Why NRF 2026 is important this year
NRF 2026 reflects a retail industry moving beyond experimentation and toward implementation. Conversations are increasingly about speed, clarity and operational impact. Retail leaders are looking for ways to reduce friction in the decision-making process, deploy technology more effectively, and achieve results without adding unnecessary complexity.
For anyone involved in retail strategy, technology or operations, NRF 2026 provides a comprehensive view of how the industry will respond to these demands and what practical paths the future will look like in 2026 and beyond.
Want guidance from an AI expert on how to apply AI to your business? Contact Fusemachines today!
(tags for translation) AI
