What Everyone Is Talking About at the NRF's Big Show 2026 | Reimagining Retail

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast · with Blake Droesch & Sarah Marzano · January 14, 2026 · 24 min

Summary

This episode dissects the key themes and innovations from NRF's Big Show 2026, offering retail leaders a crucial understanding of the evolving landscape. It highlights actionable strategies for reimagining retail operations, enhancing customer experiences through technology like AI, and optimizing supply chains to meet future demands.

Key takeaways

• Prioritize customer experience (CX) strategies that integrate emerging technologies like AI/AR/VR to create seamless and engaging interactions across all touchpoints.
• Focus on leveraging data and analytics for deeper insights into consumer behavior, enabling personalized marketing and product offerings.
• Invest in supply chain innovations and resilience to adapt to dynamic market conditions and improve operational efficiency.
• Rethink physical retail spaces to integrate them seamlessly with digital channels, offering a true omnichannel experience.
• Stay informed on how leading retailers are addressing sustainability and ethical considerations to align with evolving consumer values and competitive landscapes.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

On today’s podcast episode, the team reports straight from the show floor at NRF’s Big Show 2026 to break down the most compelling themes dominating the conference, noteworthy insights from off-stage and hallway conversations, and what retail leaders should prioritize next based on what mattered most at one of the retail industry’s most influential events. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, along with Senior Analyst Blake Droesch and Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano. Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/ Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-what-everyone-talking-about-nrf-s-big-show-2026-reimagining-retail © 2026 EMARKETER

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Prioritize customer experience (CX) strategies that integrate emerging technologies like AI/AR/VR to create seamless and engaging interactions across all touchpoints.

What does this episode say about ai & automation?

Focus on leveraging data and analytics for deeper insights into consumer behavior, enabling personalized marketing and product offerings.

What does this episode say about customer retention?

Invest in supply chain innovations and resilience to adapt to dynamic market conditions and improve operational efficiency.

What does this episode say about analytics & attribution?

Rethink physical retail spaces to integrate them seamlessly with digital channels, offering a true omnichannel experience.

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Stay informed on how leading retailers are addressing sustainability and ethical considerations to align with evolving consumer values and competitive landscapes.

Listen

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