NRF 2025 Recap: Three Key Retail Tech Takeaways ~via Carl Rysdon
I met Carl Rysdon via the inimitable John Andrews, if you know me, you probably know John. Getting to know Carl over the past 2+ years has given me a view into his incredibly valuable industry insights. Sharing some of that here. /Ted
And just like that, another NRF Big Show wraps up, leaving us with incredible new learnings, exciting discoveries, and vital partnerships. With over 1,000 exhibitors, 100+ sessions, and 38,000+ attendees, NRF is our annual opportunity to connect with the biggest movers and shakers in the industry.
This year, we heard from so many of today’s retail leaders. Here are three top trends that stole the spotlight:
Retail Media: Retail Media has evolved from a pure advertising play into one of the most significant aspects of the shopping journey. Through immersive experiences, retailers can connect their in-store and e-commerce channels like never before. Today’s intelligent retail media can link the shopper journey into a single, seamless path to purchase.
This new “phygital” shopper journey incorporates remote human customer service online with AI interactions at the shelf and on-site associates in the aisle using a hybrid digital and print approach. Today’s shoppers no longer have to navigate through two distinct, disconnected experiences of e-commerce and brick-and-mortar. They can now experience a retailer’s brand the way it was always meant to be — a single shopping channel that provides a personalized and consistent experience both online and in-store.
AI for Retailers: From inventory management to workforce scheduling, retailers use AI to streamline operations Several sessions illustrated how retailers such as Patagonia and Whole Foods were now using AI to drive operational efficiencies around labor and task management for frontline employees.
We also saw new themes in using video AI to optimize operations. Walmart led an interesting session where they outlined their application for incorporating video AI into their existing store network to improve in-store loss prevention operations significantly.
Generative AI for shoppers: Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Every year, we’ll see significant increases in AI use cases. In the past, the big topic of discussion revolved around how retailers could expand their utilization of AI to assist employees with internal operations.
This year, a new topic was trending: How shoppers use Generative AI to research and purchase products. Amazon’s RUFUS AI is a great example. Shoppers began utilizing Generative AI to find the perfect gift for friends and family. Many parents, eager to purchase the ideal present for their kids, asked AI for gift ideas based on their children’s age and interests. Kids did the same in reverse for their parents and grandparents.
According to Retail Dive, Generative AI’s influence was set to drive more than $200 billion in sales this holiday season. Over 2025, I expect we’ll continue to see a rapid evolution of how AI influences shoppers and generates incremental revenue for retailers.
NRF is always such a fantastic and inspiring way for those of us in the industry to kick off the new year. I’d love to hear about your experiences at this year’s show. Comment below, and let’s keep the conversation going.
