Sessions to Attend During Chapter 1 of NRF 2021
The virtual NRF 2021 is here!
To kick off the new year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) will hold the first of two “chapters” of its annual event—held across two weeks in January—to celebrate retailers’ 2020 achievements and address their immediate needs. The first-ever virtual NRF will bring together industry visionaries to tackle retailers’ biggest topics in an online format that makes it easier to connect with peers and build strong relationships.
With over 300 exhibitors and 100+ sessions, as well as networking and matchmaking available throughout the show, there are a lot of options and opportunities to consider. To help you navigate the virtual show, we’ve compiled a short list of the top sessions to attend. And remember, even if you can’t make these sessions live, NRF is offering 30 days of on-demand access following the show.
Shoppers Today Are Truly Omni-Channel – Learnings from the Grocery Segment
The adoption of digital shopping was accelerated by COVID-19. Guided by a recent survey by ACI, this session will explore the ways in which customers shop and pay for groceries has transformed, and the importance of grocers and retailers adjusting their offerings to account for shoppers omnichannel preferences. In his discussion, Benny Tadele, VP of Global Merchant Payments Solutions at ACI Worldwide, will cover key findings from the report, including digital payment methods, omnichannel buying behaviors, and how omnichannel payments enhance brands.
Wednesday, January 13, 1 pm – 1:30 pm EST
Technologies Bridging the E-tail-retail Gap
The COVID-19 pandemic and temporary closure of brick-and-mortar stores added pressure to retailers to reinvent themselves in an online world. In this featured session, industry leaders will discuss how digital was utilized to provide consumers with new shopping experiences and will explore some of the latest technologies—such as shoppable live streaming and augmented reality (AR)—helping retailers meet customers demand both in-store and online.
Thursday, January 14, 12 pm – 12:30 pm EST
BigCommerce Interactive Discussion: Maximizing Business Agility with Innovative Technology
In this interactive panel, Sharon Gee from BigCommerce will facilitate a discussion on the challenges of shopping today, how retailers can stay agile to meet shoppers’ omnichannel needs, and the ways in which orchestrating data and systems to keep your business seamlessly connected are important. The interactive discussion is limited to 50 individuals and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you log in early to secure your seat!
Tuesday, January 19, 1:30 pm – 2 pm EST
How Sally Beauty Delivers Continuous Omnichannel Innovation
During this session, speakers from Sally Beauty and IBM will discuss how the customer’s demand to buy differently today is driving seismic shifts in omnichannel fulfillment. Using Sally Beauty as an example, the speakers will detail how technology can be utilized to deliver more dynamic customer experiences and will showcase retail use cases for AI and practical steps for integration.
Thursday, January 21, 12 pm – 12:30 pm EST
The Innovation Playbook: Driving Technological and Innovative Change Within an Enterprise
As the retail market has rapidly and drastically evolved, it’s critical that retailers lean into innovation to remain competitive. This featured panel will address how factors such as buy-in from leadership and investing in research and development are critical for businesses to drive technological and innovative changes and identify new business opportunities.
Friday, January 22, 1pm – 1:30pm
