Join us for NRF’s State of Retail & the Consumer, a free virtual event where industry leaders and economists unpack the latest consumer trends and NRF reveals its annual retail sales forecast.
Discover how shifting behaviors and economic forces are shaping the retail landscape —and what it means for your business. Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable insights and stay ahead of the curve.
Session 1
Retail innovation and impact in 2026
Retail leaders share insights on the forces shaping the retail industry in 2026, evolving consumer demands, and how technology and innovation across supply chains and operations are accelerating retailers’ ability to serve customers and communities.
Bob Eddy
Chairman and CEO
BJ’s Wholesale Club
Gene Seroka
Executive Director
Port of Los Angeles
Matthew Shay
President and CEO
National Retail Federation
Session 2
Consumer trends spotlight
A conversation with consumer trend experts about Gen Z shopping habits and how consumers are using AI in their shopping journeys.
Katherine Cullen
Vice President, Industry and Consumer Insights
National Retail Federation
Rachel Hardy
Director of Consumer Product Marketing
Session 3
NRF's 2026 retail sales forecast
The announcement of NRF’s 2026 retail sales forecast followed by a discussion with industry-leading economists about the outlook for the economy and consumer spending.
Mark Mathews
Chief Economist; Executive Director, Research
National Retail Federation
Chad Moutray, Ph.D., CBE
Senior Vice President, Industry Research & Knowledge, and Chief Economist
National Restaurant Association
Joshua Friedlander
Vice President of Research
U.S. Travel
NRF’s fifth annual State of Retail & the Consumer on April 2, 2025 explored the health of American consumers and the retail industry with leaders including NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D., retail executives from major brands, prominent economists and consumer experts.
