NRF retail’s big show 2018: 3 trends to keep your eye on

Generix Group at the NRF Retail’s Big Show

With over 500 exhibitors, including Walmart, IBM, Apple, and Visa, the National Retail Federation’s Big Show is a place for exploring new trends in retail and sharing innovative solutions, and constitutes an idea lab for transforming the supply chain.

Every year in January, New York is transformed into a giant laboratory: a melting pot of innovations, the Holy Grail for all retailers and actors in the supply chain. From the inspiring welcome session, led by Terry J. Lundgren (Macy’s), to the closing conference on the power of disruption in Tommy Hilfiger, there was something for everyone. Attendees left the Big Apple with their suitcases packed with ideas and a plethora of innovative concepts to experiment with!

Artificial intelligence and collaborative platforms: new retail trends

1. Collaborative platform

Collaborative platforms are a strong trend in many fields…. and the words are on everyone’s lips! As Generix foresaw last year, platform-enabled systems are at the heart of all major concerns.

Customer relationship, customer purchase experience, logistics: the initiatives to centralize communication and boost sharing among actors in the sector, in order to meet consumer demands, are multiplying. The growing complexity of the supply chain urges large logistics service providers to rely on the interconnection of platforms in order to confront the increasing needs for efficiency.

2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial intelligence, a major trend at the moment, is also revolutionizing retail in 2018: customer relationship, inventory counts, showcasing products, supply chain, etc. This major trend was also the subject of a workshop at the Innovation Lab Stage on the question of ethics in the age of artificial intelligence. Although the scope of AI is still in testing and prospective phases, specific applications are soon to take shape. To be continued!

3. Customer experience

Personalization, information, seamless processes… Customer experience has become THE main concern among retailers. The NRF Retail’s Big Show was the opportunity to present technological innovations (such as the smart mirror) and solutions to provide customers with real-time information to help improve their shopping experience.

Omni-channel retailing

Last year, omni-channel retailing was just a trend. But today, it has been fully integrated into practices. It is now firmly implemented in the sector.