NRF Big Show 2026: the retail guide
NRF Big Show is the retail industry's flagship gathering. Produced by the National Retail Federation, it brings thousands of retail brands to New York's Javits Center each January for three days of education, product discovery and dealmaking. If you sell physical or digital product at retail, this is the room. Here is what to expect and whether it is worth your team's January.
What it is
NRF Big Show, run by the National Retail Federation, is where the retail world gathers to see the technology and strategy shaping the industry. The expo floor features 1,000+ exhibitors showing retail technology, from AI and robotics to payments and supply chain, plus the event brings together 5,000+ brands from more than 100 countries. The programming spans retail leadership, ecommerce, customer experience and the operational technology behind modern stores. For a brand, it is equal parts learning, scouting vendors and meeting partners.
Why brands attend
It is the single biggest concentration of retail decision-makers in one place each year.
The expo floor is the fastest way to scout retail and ecommerce technology partners.
Sessions cover the strategy and operations shaping where retail is heading.
It is in New York in January, adjacent to a dense market of brands, agencies and media.
Who should go
- Retail and ecommerce brand leaders planning the year ahead.
- Merchandising, operations and customer-experience teams.
- DTC brands scouting retail technology and partners.
- Marketers aligning creator and retail-media strategy with the retail calendar.
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Start free with KALO IQNRF Big Show 2026: common questions
When is NRF Big Show 2026?
NRF Big Show 2026 takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, typically in mid-January. Confirm the exact 2026 dates on the National Retail Federation's official site.
What is the NRF Big Show?
It is the retail industry's flagship annual event, produced by the National Retail Federation. It brings 5,000+ brands from more than 100 countries together for education, networking and a 1,000+ exhibitor expo floor focused on retail technology.
Who attends NRF Big Show?
Retail and ecommerce leaders, merchandising and operations teams, technology vendors and brand marketers. It is the largest annual concentration of retail decision-makers.
Is NRF worth it for DTC and ecommerce brands?
Yes, particularly for scouting retail and commerce technology and meeting partners. The expo floor and sessions are built around the operations and strategy of modern retail and ecommerce.