We’re fast approaching NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, set to kick off on Jan. 12, 2025. One of the main highlights this year will be the inaugural NRF Innovators Showcase, featuring over 50 companies at the forefront of retail transformation.
This showcase is where companies of all sizes with cutting-edge technologies meet real-world applications, providing a snapshot into how retail is evolving across the entire commerce journey, including advancements in generative AI, supply chain management, in-store innovation and customer engagement.
Housed in the River Pavilion at the Javits Center, the NRF 2025 Innovators Showcase will be open during show hours Jan. 12-14, accessible to all attendees with an All-Access or Expo Pass. For those looking to stay ahead of the curve in retail, here is a preview of just some of the things you can expect to see at this year’s showcase.
The showcase will spotlight groundbreaking advances that are set to transform the retail experience from top to bottom. Imagine AI tools enhancing everything from store navigation to checkout, making the shopping experience smoother and more efficient for both customers and retailers. Personalization is reaching new heights with AI that tailors in-store journeys to individual preferences, ensuring every shopper feels catered to.
Smart carts are streamlining supermarket trips with instant checkouts and personalized product suggestions, while cutting-edge computer vision technology enables fast, secure scanning at checkout, drastically reducing fraud. Retail security is also getting a boost, with AI-powered video systems delivering real-time analytics to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Even customer engagement is evolving with tools that use QR codes to offer dynamic, relevant product information, driving both loyalty and sales.
Generative AI is transforming the way content is created and delivered, and this year’s showcase features some of the most innovative solutions leading that shift. AI-driven tools are empowering brands to scale by producing dynamic, on-demand content tailored to their needs. For ecommerce businesses, AI is optimizing product imagery and expanding media assets, making it easier to showcase products in the best light.
Marketing teams are also benefiting from AI copilots that streamline content production and campaign optimization, helping them work more efficiently and effectively. Meanwhile, video-first ecommerce is taking engagement to a new level, with AI-powered shoppable videos enhancing product discovery, keeping customers intrigued and driving more conversions.
Supply chain management remains a top priority for retailers aiming to boost efficiency and cut costs. AI-powered tools are enhancing the returns process, using machine learning to minimize costs and improve recovery for retailers. Supply chain intelligence is also getting a major upgrade, helping businesses reduce out-of-stock situations and markdowns, ensuring smooth operations and less waste.
Automation is transforming return management, driving growth for manufacturers, distributors and retailers by simplifying complex processes. Fulfillment is becoming faster than ever, with solutions that allow orders to be shipped directly to customers in just days, while seamless transaction management tools make integrating with trading partners quick and effortless.
Want to see these technologies in action? Visit the NRF Innovators Showcase at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, Jan. 12-14 in New York City, by registering here. Whether you’re looking to enhance your in-store experience, optimize your supply chain or drive digital engagement, this year’s showcase promises to deliver the innovations that will shape the future of retail.
