NRF 2013 Preview: Retail's Big Show

Retail giants from across the United States are gathering this week in New York City for the annual National Retail Federation “Big Show.” Our publisher Craig Aberle is in New York taking in the sights and sounds of NRF 2013, and we look forward to a more full report from him soon. In the meantime, let’s have a look at some of the highlights being presented this week at the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side.

Attendees at this year’s Big Show will be armed with all the information they need in the palms of their hands if they download the official NRF app. The free mobile app for iOS and Android platforms gives users access to all the latest information from NRF so that they can stay organized with note taking functionality, create custom convention schedules, and use the integrated Twitter feed to live tweet their NRF experiences with the #nrf13 hashtag. It’s great to see the National Retail Federation putting their money where their mouths are and taking advantage of the very mobile technology that we keep reporting on: integrative mobile apps and smartphone/tablet technology. Interested parties can download the free mobile app from the NRF website by simply scanning a QR code. Well played, NRF. Very well played.

This year’s NRF Exhibitors include retail giants like Amazon Webstore and Google along with technology companies like Epson, ESRI, IBM, and hundreds of other smaller firms hoping to expand their brand’s visibility in a very competitive marketplace. We are excited to see the brands that will emerge from NRF 2013 riding the tides of exciting retail news unveiled at the Big Show.

If you are unable to attend this year’s NRF convention, don’t fret. There is live streaming available free of charge for three sessions from NYC. In addition to the live streaming options, NRF 2013 will also offer free On Demand streaming of specific sessions free of charge after the fact. Sessions available for live streaming include keynote addresses from executives with Mango, Delhaize, McMillanDoolittle, Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, The Container Store, Walmart, and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity sit back and relax in the NRF Members Coca-Cola Happiness Lounge. The lounge offers charging stations for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices; meeting rooms; wired workstations; and a place to just take a load off amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City and the retail expo.

The framework is there; what remains to be seen are the fruits of this year’s NRF conference. We can’t wait to see what exciting retail solutions and breakthroughs will make their debuts at this year’s NRF. In the coming weeks, you can expect coverage of news arising from this year’s NRF as well as first-hand accounts from our owner/publisher Craig Aberle. Are you attending NRF? We would love to hear your first-hand accounts of your experiences at NRF as well as your most anticipated news from the event to come. Share your experiences and expectations with us in the comments!

For more info, including links to live streaming and on demand information, click here: http://events.nrf.com/annual2013/Public/MainHall.aspx?ID=13380&sortMenu=101000

Written by Kathryn Cunningham 

Related Articles:

New Report Analyzes MPOS Field

... of sale solutions will be on display at the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2013 “Big Show” in New York, where retail technology firms from across the USA and the world will gather to introduce their ...

Point of Sale News to be at NRF

The Point of Sale News(tm) will be at NRF 2013 - the National Retail Federation show at Jacob Javits Center in NYC. For more details about NRF2013 visit www.nrf.com.    ...

Epson Mourns Loss of Barry Wise

... Wise's knowledge and expertise were well recognized in the retail technology industry. Wise worked behind the scenes in support of industry standards and initiatives for Epson at NRF (National Retail ...