LP Magazine’s Managing Editor Jack Trlica is headed to the National Retail Federation’s 106th annual Retail’s BIG Show next week. Before he takes off for New York City, we asked him what he was most looking forward to at one of the biggest industry events of the year.
What trends do you anticipate hearing about at the show?
The in-store experience will likely be a huge focus as retailers aim to transform their brick-and-mortar stores into compelling spaces where consumers feel delighted and inspired. I expect to see vendors discussing practical applications for innovations like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) and how these technologies might enhance the in-store experience. There has been a fair amount of pre-show buzz about the “Amazon Go” factor, referring to the checkout-free grocery concept the online retailer is currently testing in Seattle.
Why should loss prevention and asset protection professionals attend NRF’s BIG Show?
LP and AP will benefit from hearing about the latest ideas in retail because many of them touch all parts of the retail enterprise. For example, loss prevention technologies such as RFID tags, sensors, and cameras are likely to be included in the IoT areas of interest for retailers. It’s important to keep up with the new approaches and responsibilities expected of retail teams as a whole. The NRF BIG Show offers a good opportunity for anyone in retail to learn, network, and see what’s headed our way.
Are there any particular sessions you’re interested in attending?
Three sessions in particular seem like they might be standouts to me. I will be busy on the show floor, but I plan to try to make it to these sessions, as well as a few others, while I’m at the convention.
Prescriptive Analytics, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things – This Sunday afternoon exhibitor case study will feature a panel of industry experts from Walgreens, The O’Alliance, and Profitect and will discuss how to maximize the value of IoT using machine learning and prescriptive analytics.
Driving Retail Transformation: How Data and Smart, Connected Technology Deliver Amazing Customer Experiences – I hope to learn how connected, data-driven technology can lead to both a better customer experience and increased sales in this keynote session, which will take place on Monday morning and will be led by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich.
How Technology Fuels Kohl’s Omni-channel Innovations – Omni-channel is a hot topic at LP Magazine. In this session, Ratnakar Lavu, Kohl’s chief technology officer, promises to share the retailer’s digital evolution from a traditional department store to a true omni-channel organization.
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) BIG Show 2017 will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City from January 15–17. For more information, visit our LPM Events page.