The 2026 National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail’s Big Show kicks off January 11, 2026, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City and runs for three event-packed days. The theme this year is “The Next Now,” reflecting continual advancements in the industry and changes in consumer behaviors. The theme underscores that retailers need to be equipped with all the technology and tools for meeting expectations and operating competitively today — and to anticipate and be prepared to adapt to what comes next.
The NRF Retail’s Big Show has a full agenda, with everything from a keynote by Ryan Reynolds on brand building, a live performance with Joe Jonas, thought leadership, including multiple sessions on AI in retail, and guided Expo tours. A lot of activities will compete for your time and attention. So, to make the most of the event, you’ll need to plan to ensure you leave with the information, contacts, and inspiration you’re looking for to make 2026 a successful year.
NRF’26 Tips for Retailers
If this is your first experience at the NRF Retail’s Big Show, get ready for, frankly, a big show. You’ll walk miles, hustle to get to the sessions you want to attend, and feel awe at the size of the Expo. The best strategy is to approach the event like you would any other business challenge: Proactively. Study the agenda and prioritize sessions that offer the most value to your business. You can use the NRF 2026 mobile app to build a custom schedule. It includes AI recommendations for meetings that are relevant to your industry segment or your interests. You can also use the app to network, schedule meetings, or find specific exhibitors.
Ingenico has also created a resource to help you spot industry-leading companies on the Expo floor. Our partner map shows you booth numbers and locations of our partners at NRF’26. You can also spot them by looking for “Ingenico Partner Spotlight Program” placards on their booths. Those cards indicate that their retail technology solutions work seamlessly with our payment technology platform and they are a valued partner of Ingenico. Our partnerships allow retailers to build complete tech stacks that help them operate efficiently, differentiate themselves with unique shopping experiences, and stay a step ahead of the competition.
Retailers should remember to set up NRF’26 meetings ahead of time. Everyone at the event will be clamoring to meet with people and technologies that they want to see. As much as possible, reserve a time to meet with contacts or solutions providers at their booths so you are guaranteed time and won’t have to wait to ask questions or demo a product.
Ingenico allows you to schedule meetings with our team in advance; follow this link. Meeting with us will give you time to explore products like Android-based AXIUM payment technology for flexibility at checkout and Ingenico SoftPOS, which allows you to accept contactless payments directly on a commercial off-the-shelf mobile device. We can also show you the benefits of retail mobility solutions that allow you to accept payments anywhere and how to increase efficiency and lower costs with a payment device estate management solution. You can also feel free to tell us about your business objectives and learn how Ingenico can support them with products and solutions in our broad portfolio.
Tips for Acquirers and Software Developers
Of the 40,000 or so people who will attend NRF’26, many will be professionals and innovators from all over the world who provide solutions to the retail industry. This will make the Javits Center on January 11-13 the place to be to make connections and find new partners, in addition to attending sessions and events.
Ingenico is excited to meet new acquirers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and other solutions providers to add to its partner ecosystem. We have devised a flexible partner program, a streamlined integration journey, and the leading payment technology in the world to help you take leading-edge solutions to market — and take your business to new levels of success. You know you have to spend your time wisely to make the most at NRF’26. Schedule some time to meet with us.
We’re looking forward to meeting with you in NYC and showing you our payment solutions, which give you the “next, now.” Contact us!
