Inside NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show

Описание: In this in-depth episode of TechBytes, host Rob Grimes sits down with Susan Newman, Senior Vice President of Events Strategy at the National Retail Federation, to explore the vision, scale, and evolution of NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show—and why it has become a must-attend event for both retail and foodservice leaders.

Susan begins by framing the Big Show as the “Super Bowl of retail,” bringing together more than 40,000 professionals from over 100 countries at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center. With over 300,000 square feet of expo space and more than 1,000 exhibiting companies, the show showcases the technologies, strategies, and experiences shaping customer engagement today and over the next several years. While often viewed as a retail-only event, Susan and Rob highlight how food service has become deeply embedded across the show, from restaurants inside retail stores to hospitality-driven customer experiences in malls, airports, hotels, and mixed-use environments.

A central focus of the conversation is the Food Service Innovation Zone, a collaborative initiative created to make foodservice technologies easier to find, experience, and understand within the broader retail ecosystem. Susan explains how retailers increasingly look to foodservice as a way to differentiate their brand, drive traffic, and deepen customer loyalty—and how the Foodservice Innovation Zone helps both operators and retailers explore those opportunities side by side.

The episode also previews one of the show’s most ambitious experiential activations: The Pit Stop. Designed as an immersive, hands-on demonstration, the Pit Stop brings together drive-through ordering, AI-powered voice technology, digital menu boards, kiosks, robotics, online ordering, and automated food delivery—experienced from the seat of a go-kart. Susan describes how this activation, along with the adjacent “Garage” discussion area, allows attendees to not only see technology in action but also engage directly with the partners behind it.

Beyond foodservice, Susan outlines key highlights across the show, including a dedicated AI stage focused on generative and agentic AI, expanded networking lounges, AI-powered matchmaking through the event app, international receptions, and large-scale entertainment experiences. She also reflects on her 23-year history with the Big Show and the challenge—and excitement—of evolving the event each year to meet changing attendee expectations.

Packed with insight, energy, and practical guidance, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive preview of why NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show is where retail, foodservice, and technology truly come together.