Meet us at NRF 2026

The National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail’s Big Show is the world’s premier annual conference and expo for the retail industry. It serves as a critical pulse-check and innovation hub for the entire retail ecosystem.

In 2026, the show will heavily focus on Store Transformation, Generative AI applications in retail, Next-Generation POS (Point of Sale), and driving Operational Excellence across the entire store lifecycle.

Attending provides unparalleled access to networking, discovering transformative retail technology solutions (e.g., store operations platforms, mobile devices, and associate engagement tools), and hearing best practices from Fortune 500 retail CEOs on navigating the future of commerce.

Over 35,000 attendees and 800+ exhibitors are expected, offering a 360-degree view of the trends shaping the industry, from supply chain resilience to personalized customer experiences.

NRF 2026’s agenda is curated to address the most pressing strategic challenges facing modern retailers. The main areas of focus include:

• Store Operations & Execution: Discovering the best tools for improving store associate efficiency (e.g., task management, guided selling, and communication platforms) and reducing operational friction.

• The Future of Omnichannel Fulfillment: Solutions for achieving true unified commerce, including better Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) processes, Ship-from-Store logistics, and localized inventory accuracy.

• Retail AI and Personalization: Exploring the practical applications of Generative AI for everything from personalized marketing campaigns to advanced demand forecasting and in-store recommendations.

• Associate Empowerment and Experience (AEX): Focusing on how to lower employee turnover and increase frontline worker productivity using intuitive, mobile-first applications that digitize SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

• Loss Prevention and Inventory Accuracy: Innovations in RFID, computer vision, and data analytics to minimize shrinkage and ensure high-fidelity stock levels across all channels.

• When: The NRF 2026 conference is scheduled for January 11–13, 2026 (Exhibition/Expo Hall open January 12–13).
• Where: The event is hosted in New York City, New York, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (Javits Center).
• This annual January event in NYC is the definitive launchpad for the year’s retail tech and operational strategy.

To ensure you maximize your ROI at the Big Show, follow these steps:

1. Register: Purchase your passes directly through the official NRF 2026 website. Review the different pass types (e.g., Expo Pass vs. Full Conference Pass) based on your interest in keynote speakers and breakout sessions.
2. Plan Your Agenda: Use the NRF session scheduler to prioritize keynotes on Store Execution and Associate Experience. Identify specific exhibitors based on the challenges you need to solve (e.g., “streamlining task management” or “digitizing paper processes”).
3. Book a Targeted Meeting: The most efficient way to evaluate solutions is to schedule focused, 1:1 time.
   If you are looking to explore modernizing your store operations, improving employee engagement, or deploying a high-impact mobile retail solution, you should book a meeting with the Tulip team before the show to secure a dedicated slot and personalized demo addressing your unique use case.