WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 11-13, industry professionals from around the globe will come together for the National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail’s Big Show, which will be held at Javits Center in New York City. One of the main attractions at NRF 2026 will be the AI Stage, where leaders will discuss the impact of AI on international retail operations. Topics covered will include how AI can be used to best serve customers and transform retail operations, the next generation of AI innovation and the future of agentic AI.
“On that stage will be nothing but retailers telling their stories about the positive and negative aspects of what they’ve learned over the last year or two as they’ve gone through their AI journey,” NRF Senior Vice President of Event Strategy Susan Newman said.
But the discussions about AI will not end on that stage. Newman says that all of the show’s stages will cover the effects of AI to some degree because of its strong influence on the industry.
“AI is going to be prevalent on every stage that we have because you can’t avoid it,” Newman said.
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Also, attendees will be able to participate in AI roundtables, where they can do a deep dive into a topic alongside their peers. Whether they choose to share their own experiences or just listen, they will have the opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on the technology in a small setting.
Innovation Continues to Draw NRF Audience
AI is just part of the innovation the event will showcase. In the Foodservice Innovation Zone, attendees will be able to take a ride into the future at The Pit Stop, a go-kart activation that simulates the newest in drive-thru technology. During this experience, attendees will go through four service touch points —from placing their orders to the delivery of their food by robots— to find out what personalized dining on the go will look like.
Also, this area of the show will include more immersive activations, along with dozens of booths dedicated to food technology and a stage featuring leaders and innovators discussing the latest trends.
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Experiences like The Pit Stop illustrate the long-time dedication NRF has had to exposing attendees to the most cutting-edge technologies.
“One of the priorities I have every year is trying to figure out how this event continues to evolve and innovate year after year,” said Newman. “If we aren’t changing how people experience our show or if they’re seeing the same thing year after year, there’s just no reason to return. The technology in the retail industry makes it really easy to integrate it into our event in exciting new ways.”
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