For more from NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show on January 14 – 16 in New York City, visit the official recap.
NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show is just getting started at the Javits Center in New York City. The event began on Friday and Saturday with the NRF Foundation’s Student Program and the fourth annual NRF Foundation Gala on Sunday, and continues with NRF’s annual convention and EXPO through Tuesday. Here are the highlights so far.
NRF FOUNDATION GALA
NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal presented President and CEO of Walmart Doug McMillon with NRF’s “The Visionary” award. View the recap.
Beyond excited @SHAQ is here tonight to help us honor #TheVisionary2018 @Walmart CEO Doug McMillon at the #nrfgala! #retailsfuture pic.twitter.com/DxFvqWjgYI
— NRF Foundation (@NRFFoundation) January 15, 2018
Student program
Students heard from entrepreneurs who revolutionized established retail concepts by starting businesses from simple ideas they were passionate about.
@WarbyParker CEO and cofounder speaking about disrupting an industry and social enterprising. #nrf #retailsfuture pic.twitter.com/H8J3d7z7qQ
— Annie Weinschenk (@UMDAnnieW) January 12, 2018
Fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff shared advice with students at her flagship store in SoHo, Manhattan.
RETAIL NEWS AND SESSION RECAPS
Levi's president James ‘J.C.’ Curleigh discussed how Levi’s keeps one foot rooted in the heritage of the brand, with the other foot driving it forward. He also highlighted the brand’s recent trucker jacket collaboration with Google.
CDR Creative Intelligence CEO Kate Antcketill talked about three ways the boundaries of retail are expanding.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon chatted about technology and digital commerce.
Independent Retailer highlighted the top sessions on Day 1 of NRF 2018.
NRF’s Cristina Ceresoli shared insight on technologies most likely to affect retailers in 2018.
SOCIAL MEDIA ROUNDUP
Attendees had a blast on the first day of NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show.
Marne Levine, Instagram’s COO, caught up with Tyler Haney from Outdoor Voices and technology reporter Jennifer Jolly.
Michael Lastoria from &pizza snapped a picture with his fellow presenters.
Attendees got face-to-face with new retail technologies.
For more stories from NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show, visit the official recap page. Follow @NRFBigShow on Twitter and @NRF on Instagram for live coverage of the show Jan 14-16.