Retailers, technology vendors, analysts and others in the field will gather next week for Retail’s Big Show, put on annually by The National Retail Federation (NRF). Each year, the show brings tens of thousands of industry experts together to discuss the hottest topics of the year and share successful strategies. 

In 2024, NRF’s Big Show will be held at The Javits Center in New York City from Jan. 14-16. 

In the wake of the NRF’s announcement this week that industrywide online and non-store sales rose 31.17% year over year in December, this will be the retail and ecommerce news to watch at the show:

Walmart and Salesforce 

Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff will give a joint keynote session on Jan. 14. The leaders will address the future of artificial intelligence in retail. Furner will also speak at a solo session earlier in the day about the state of the retail industry.

Walmart ranks No. 2 in the 2023 Digital Commerce 360 Top 1000, a ranking of North America’s leading retailers by online sales. It also ranks No. 9 among marketplaces by gross merchandise value.

FedEx on supply chain enhancements

FedEx CEO and president Raj Subramaniam will discuss plans for improvements to its massive supply chain in 2024. The major shipping carrier is slated to discuss how it is using data from its vast network to improve customer experiences from pickup to delivery and returns.

478 retailers in Digital Commerce 360’s Top 1000 use FedEx as a carrier.

Supply Chain 360 Summit

Supply chains will be one of the most important topics for retailers at the event. In addition to Subramaniam’s session, the NRF is also hosting a Supply Chain Summit on Jan. 14 with sessions on AI, expedited delivery, efficiency, and managing weather events. Speakers from Walmart, Target (No. 5 in the Top 1000), Macy’s (No. 17), Stitch Fix (No. 42), and other retailers will contribute.

Retailers discussing AI

Many sessions across the three-day event are scheduled to discuss AI and its many applications in retail. An executive from Estee Lauder (No. 43) will discuss AI and machine learning in demand forecasting. E.l.f. Beauty (No. 950) and Canada Goose (No. 154) are scheduled to discuss the use of generative AI over the recent holiday season.  

Amazon on Buy with Prime

Amazon just announced a new integration with Salesforce Commerce Cloud for Buy with Prime. All Salesforce merchants will have access in 2024, Amazon says, and some can sign up for early access at Amazon’s booth at the show. The retail giant says it will share more about this new development at the event, too.

Technology vendors

The show will feature a floor of booths from technology vendors showing off their latest releases for in-store use and ecommerce. The innovation lab features more than 50 established technology companies with products in AI, AR (augmented reality), machine learning, facial recognition, robotics and other emerging fields. The Startup Hub will be home to newer companies debuting tech solutions to retailers. 

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