BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor & Photography by Al Caplan 

The National Retail Federation has represented retail for over a century. Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail thrive.

As the nation’s largest private-sector employer, retail contributes $3.9 trillion to the annual GDP. No other industry comes close.

Wherever the industry goes, the nation follows — so we’re committed to helping retail go further.

Together with our philanthropic arm, the NRF Foundation, we stand up for, celebrate, educate and inspire our industry.

We’re retail’s greatest advocates, uniting an industry of leaders and boundary breakers around complex issues and bold opportunities.

As a member of NRF, you are part of the world’s largest retail trade association, a diverse community with thousands of leading retailers and industry professionals.

NRF membership is available for retailers, industry partner companies, insights partner firms, universities and their students and international retail association members.

There were many great speakers at NRF, on Martin Luther king jr day, basketball great and billionaire businessman, was honored guest and keynote speaker.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson brought his A game to NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, jumping off the stage to “walk and talk and be with the people” while sharing thoughts on success, hard work, giving back, choosing the right team and maintaining the right mindset.

 

“I don’t do last place,” he told John Furner, president and CEO, Walmart U.S., who briefly basked in being “taller” than the 6’9” NBA legend before moving to sit on the edge of the stage. Arguably, Johnson is well accustomed to being first. He regaled the audience with stories of believing in — and accomplishing — the seemingly impossible during his conversation with Furner.

“I’m supposed to introduce you,” Furner said. “But let’s just start with, I think everybody here knows who you are.” Though they might not know the extent of his achievements.

In addition to his sports prowess — Hall of Fame member, Olympian, three-time NBA MVP and winner of the Jackie Robinson Sports Award, among many other accolades — Johnson is chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment conglomerate that provides high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved urban communities.

Johnson addressed the younger generation in his talk, noting that they don’t always like to hear critical feedback from their older counterparts. “Young people, we love you. But our job is to make sure you’re successful.”

Furner agreed that “feedback is a gift,” and Johnson shared that as leaders, “our job is to make those who work with us better.” He wrapped up with hopes that as a culture, we can return to respecting each other. “We’ve lost our way a little bit,” he said. It will take all of us to change our communities, cities, states and nation for the better.

Other Keynote speakers included: Martha Stewart, Actress and businesswoman Drew Barrymore, many fortune 500 CEO’s from the retail arena. Drew Barrymore, meanwhile, closed out NRF by speaking about her newest brand, homeware brand Beautiful which launched in 2021 exclusively at Walmart. Barrymore launched the brand with co-founder Shae Hong, the founder of kitchenware brand Made by Gather.

At NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, attendees step into the future at the Foodservice Innovation Zone, an interactive exploration of the technologies and innovations that are transforming the customer foodservice experience.

There was so much happening at NRF 2024, see more in our World Liberty TV, Retail channels by clicking here.