406. The rise of smart retail merchandising

Retail Gets Real · with Jake Neiman · February 17, 2026 · 22 min

Summary

This episode reveals how cutting-edge technologies like interactive kiosks, smart merchandising, and AI are transforming the physical retail experience. Learn how to leverage these innovations to enhance customer engagement, bridge the gap between online and offline, and prepare for the future of immersive retail, even when facing adoption challenges.

Key takeaways

• Explore the integration of interactive kiosks and ePaper displays to create dynamic in-store experiences that go beyond traditional merchandising.
• Investigate AI-powered interfaces to personalize customer interactions and drive engagement within your physical retail spaces.
• Identify and address internal barriers to technology adoption by fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Future-proof your retail strategy by embracing immersive experiences that captivate customers and differentiate your brand.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

Technology is reshaping the in-store experience, and Jake Neiman is helping retailers bring digital innovation into the physical world. The co-founder and CEO of BIG Digital joins Retail Gets Real to discuss how immersive kiosks, smart merchandising solutions, AI-powered interfaces and next-generation ePaper displays are transforming how customers engage with brands inside stores.(00:00:00) Powering live events with interactive kiosks(00:04:38) Building BIG Digital during a global shutdown(00:07:04) Bringing immersive technology onto the sales floor(00:11:26) What limits retailers from adopting new tech(00:12:56) What’s next for digital retail innovation(00:17:34) The future of retail belongs to immersive experiencesThe National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.Resources:• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association• Learn about our retail education platform, the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.comRelated:• 399: Inside Retail’s Big Show: Innovation, AI and what’s coming next• <a href="https://nrf.com/podcast/how-warby-parker-is-redefining-retail-and-customer-experience" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_bla

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Explore the integration of interactive kiosks and ePaper displays to create dynamic in-store experiences that go beyond traditional merchandising.

What does this episode say about product & merchandising?

Investigate AI-powered interfaces to personalize customer interactions and drive engagement within your physical retail spaces.

What does this episode say about ai & automation?

Identify and address internal barriers to technology adoption by fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Future-proof your retail strategy by embracing immersive experiences that captivate customers and differentiate your brand.

Listen

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