Starbucks CEO to speak at NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show

WASHINGTON – Nurturing humanity in a modern retail environment will be the topic as Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson speaks at NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show in New York City in January.

“Kevin Johnson is a leader of our industry whose expertise and vision range from the fundamentals of selling a good cup of coffee to the cutting edge of the technology driving today’s retail revolution.”

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

“Kevin Johnson is a leader of our industry whose expertise and vision range from the fundamentals of selling a good cup of coffee to the cutting edge of the technology driving today’s retail revolution,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “He understands the importance of the personal touch with retail customers, and no matter how much technology evolves, remaining a force for good in the global communities retailers serve. We look forward to learning from his insights.”

Johnson will be the opening Main Stage speaker on January 13, the second day of the three-day conference. He will discuss the role of shared experiences and community in the modern-day retail environment, and the recognition that the pursuit of profit is not in conflict with the pursuit of doing good.

Johnson became a member of the Starbucks Board of Directors in 2009 while CEO of Juniper Networks. He was named president and chief operating officer at Starbucks in 2015, leading the company’s operating businesses around the world as well as core support functions in supply chain, marketing, human resources, technology and mobile and digital platforms. He became president and CEO in 2017 as the company’s longtime leader Howard Schultz transitioned into the role of executive chairman.

Johnson’s career spans more than 30 years, including 16 years at Microsoft and five at Juniper Networks. In 2008, he was appointed to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, serving under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is a founding board member of NPower, an organization that provides nonprofits with technology and skills to fulfill social missions, and is involved with Catalyst, a nonprofit focused on expanding opportunities for women in business.

Johnson is one of the top CEOs scheduled to appear at the conference, joining the presidents and CEOs of Microsoft, Mastercard, Hudson’s Bay Company, Walmart U.S., Crate and Barrel and Nordstrom among others.

An estimated 38,000 retailers from nearly 100 countries are expected to attend NRF 2020 Vision, which is NRF’s 109th annual convention and will be held January 12-14.

Complimentary registration is available to editorial members of the news media and discounted registration is available to accredited retail analysts. For more information, visit the NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show media registration page.

About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.