AI and Experiential Retail Take Center Stage at NRF 2025

NRF 2025 showcased how AI is reshaping retail, from frictionless payments and personalized experiences to dynamic content creation and omnichannel strategies.

At the start of 2025, The National Retail Federation’s annual conference, NRF 2025, brought together 40,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors in New York. The event highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and experiential retail as key drivers of transformation in the industry.

In the article ‘NRF 2025 Highlights AI, Experiential Retail’, The Green Sheet explores how AI-driven innovations and experiential retail are reshaping the shopping experience. Industry leaders share their insights on the evolving landscape, emphasizing innovation, security, and economic resilience.

Retailers are increasingly leveraging AI to improve customer experiences, speed up checkouts, and optimize fraud prevention strategies. Payments remain a central part of the customer journey, with evolving consumer expectations driving the adoption of new payment methods.

Brad Giles, SVP at Ingenico, suggested that traditional payment solutions will evolve into immersive retail experiences, as younger generations embrace digital-first and biometric payment methods.

Retailers are also adapting to changing shopping behaviors, recognizing the importance of engaging with consumers across multiple online and offline channels. Short-form video content, social commerce, and marketplace integrations are becoming essential tools for retailers looking to stay competitive in an evolving landscape.

Economic optimism also marked the event, with analysts forecasting steady growth and resilient consumer spending.

Overall, the event underscored how AI and omnichannel strategies are reshaping retail, emphasizing the need for businesses to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Read the full interview on The Green Sheet