By:Dr.Adal M.Hussain,Phd (AKA) Dr. Abbey ,Editor @ Large for World Liberty TV

Retail’s Big Show is retail’s most important event. With three days of educational programing, an enormous Expo featuring the latest retail solutions, plus an Innovation Lab and Startup Zone featuring breakthrough technology, Retail’s Big Show will introduce you to the ideas, people and partners that will put you on the fast track to success.

The retailers who matter most are at NRF Retail Week. It’s the must-attend gathering where retail’s decision-makers and influencers come together to learn, share, collaborate, network and inspire.

Surrounding NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show, NRF Retail Week is a week-long celebration of parties, high-profile partner events, innovative store tours, experiential tech, workshops, educational sessions and more. Preview it all here, where NRF curates and promotes New York City’s must-attend events for retailers.

The eighth annual NRF Foundation Honors took place Sunday night at the New York Marriott Marquis to recognize the outstanding leadership of retail executives, award student scholarships and highlight retail as an industry of opportunity. The event raised nearly $3 million to fund the NRF Foundation’s career development programs and resources.

“In every community across the country, retail provides limitless ways for people of all backgrounds to pursue their passions and achieve success,” NRF Foundation Executive Director Bill Thorne said. “We are honored to celebrate retail’s future leaders and are thankful for the countless supporters who share in our belief that our industry is unmatched in offering opportunities for individuals, families and communities large and small.”

Presented by American Express and PwC, the 2023 event included more than 700 attendees, and was co-hosted by Bloomingdale’s Chairman and CEO and NRF Foundation Board Chairman Tony Spring and Walmart U.S. President and CEO and NRF Board Chairman John Furner.

Lowe’s Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison received The Visionary award for his stewardship to drive positive change within the retail industry and leadership in transforming Lowe’s into a world-class, omni channel retailer.

Matthew Shay is president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association and foremost industry group focused on the people, policies, ideas and technologies shaping the consumer retail economy. He serves as chief advocate and spokesman for the nation’s largest private-sector industry employer, responsible for supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans – and generating $3.9 trillion in annual GDP.

Since his arrival in 2010, Shay has transformed NRF into Washington’s most powerful voice supporting the retail industry. Under his tenure, membership and revenue have more than doubled and the organization’s influence has grown significantly inside Washington, across the United States and globally. He has led the organization to new levels of effectiveness on policy issues, increasing awareness of the industry’s economic impact and expanding political engagement.

Shay has held leadership positions in the retail, consumer and services sector for more than 20 years. Before NRF, he served as president and CEO of the International Franchise Association, which represents more than 1,400 franchise companies in retail and other industries around the world. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and The Ohio State University College of Law, and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

Some of the Speakers included: Simone Bile’s decorated athlete and advocate and the power of perseverance, Chobani ; CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, hiring refugees is a no-brainer, Whole Foods Market, CEO Jason Buechel, LVMH and Louis Vuitton Inc, North America Chairman and CEO Anish Melwani on the luxury company’s enduring success, Kroger, CEO Rodney McMullen on evolving the customer experience, Walmart’s Chairman and CEO,  John Furner on the importance of a long-term perspective.

There was some of the best speakers in the World Speaking at NRF 2023, SAP Theatre Stage at the North Hall of Jacob Javits Center.

Close to one thousand retail companies from all around the world were exhibiting and showcasing their services and products to the retail world.

Food Service Tech Pavilion: Tech that’s hot off the grill. The Food Service Technology Pavilion is specifically curated for those who operate within the retail food service sector. It’s a specialized area of the Expo where professionals from IT, finance, marketing and digital technology explore new solutions to help accelerate their business.

The Pavilion showcases systems that address the needs of food service operations including point-of-sale and back-office systems, digital signage and menu boards, loyalty and data, online ordering and more. Exhibitors in the Pavilion offer services to build a more efficient technology stack in retail or standalone foodservice operations.

Innovation Lab: Breakthrough tech that breaks expectations. The NRF Innovation Lab showcases the latest applications in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, machine learning, facial recognition, robotics and more. This immersive exhibit tracks the latest developments in retail’s transformation and what retail can be now and in the future.

Startup Zone: Break out of the old and get in with the new. The Startup Zone is where you’ll get to meet the newest companies in retail and see their biggest, standout ideas.

Here, you’ll be the first to hear about the breakthrough technology and radical thinking that everyone will be talking about tomorrow.

Consumer Product Showcase: Included close to 50 Companies showcasing many products and services, huge diversity of people involved in all kinds of retail business’s Sponsored by Amazon, American Express, SAP, first Prize was a $15,000 Prize Second prize winner got $10,000 towards their business.

About NRF: The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

About NRF Foundation: The NRF Foundation provides the skills and resources needed for a life-changing career. As NRF’s nonprofit 501(c)(3), we connect people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Together, we help people build better lives and stronger communities.

It was World Liberty TV’s 20th Annual Appearance at NRF 2023, yes we have been covering it in our World Liberty TV, Business and Retail Channels, Blogs that long. This year was special because of the COVID, for the last few years. Things have changed drastically, but this year we saw many people in attendance, more companies coming back, Networking events, Night parties, Dinners and many VIP Events taking place. It reminds us on the good old days, which I believe are back and going forward. Also NRF in 2024, will be doing NRF Asia in Singapore, if you are a retailer looking to have a foot print in Asia, this show might be a right fit for you to attend.

See much more about NRF 2023, in our World Liberty TV, Retail, Business and Finance Channels and Blogs by clicking here.