The energy at NRF 2026's opening day was nothing short of electric. As the retail industry's most influential leaders, innovators, and decision-makers converged at the Jacob K. Javits Centre, one message resonated above all others: retail stands at the precipice of its most transformative era yet. From groundbreaking keynote insights to data revelations that challenge conventional wisdom, Day 1 delivered the strategic intelligence that will shape retail's trajectory for the year ahead.

At RetailNext booth #4657, we witnessed firsthand how the industry's appetite for innovation, backed by concrete data and proven methodologies, has reached unprecedented levels. The conversations weren't just about surviving retail's evolution; they were about leading it.

GET TO KNOW US: RetailNext's NRF '26 Big Show: Innovation. Agility. Impact.

Welcome To The Next Now: Retail's Resilience And Revolutionary Thinking

The morning's keynote session set the tone for the entire conference, with NRF Board Chair Bob Eddy delivering a powerful message about retail's dual narrative of resilience and revolutionary investment. His opening remarks painted a picture of an industry that, despite challenges, continues to move forward with remarkable strength. US consumers remain resilient, with spending growing year over year, while retailers deliver value as households watch every dollar.

"Retail is a stabilizing force in people's lives," Eddy emphasized, noting how the industry delivers value and relief in times of crisis while supporting more than one in four American jobs. This foundation of stability becomes the launchpad for unprecedented innovation.

The second pillar of Eddy's message centered on investment, particularly in scaling AI to increase efficiency and drive innovation. His declaration that "What's happening next is happening now" perfectly captured the show's "The Next Now" theme. Retailers aren't waiting for the future; they're actively building it through investments in people and delightful, intuitive, more human customer experiences. "When technology accelerates innovation, we get new ideas," Eddy noted, urging attendees to "think about what's next, and not only what's new."

In Conversation With Ed Stack

The conversation reached new heights when Ed Stack, Executive Chairman of DICK's Sporting Goods, took the stage for an intimate fireside chat. Stack's journey from helping his father's tackle shop to building a retail empire offered invaluable lessons in customer-centric innovation and bold strategic thinking.

Stack unveiled the revolutionary House of Sport concept, describing it as "an experience 75 years in the making." This wasn't an incremental improvement; this was deliberate disruption. "We need to build a concept that will kill DICK's Sporting Goods," Stack explained, revealing the radical thinking behind these 150,000-square-foot destinations. The strategy directly challenged Wall Street's preference for smaller formats, with Stack choosing instead to create over 100 massive experiential retail destinations that put community, service, and product at the center.

DICK’s Sporting Goods Organizational Philosophy

What truly distinguished Stack's approach was his organizational philosophy. DICK's employs a diamond-shaped org chart with Ed's name at the bottom and the customer (whom they call "the athlete") at the top. "You have to live that org chart," Stack insisted, emphasizing that leadership means ensuring everyone has the resources they need to succeed. This philosophy extends to hiring: "We don't tolerate brilliant jerks," he stated bluntly, explaining how ego undermines teamwork.

An industrial psychologist's study of the company's top 50 performers revealed a crucial insight: they're all highly competitive but understand the competition is external, not internal. "All they want to do is win, and they don't care which position they play," Stack shared, highlighting the collaborative culture that drives innovation.

Retail As Central To Community

Dick's Sporting Goods' Sports Matter Foundation, though formalized in 2013, has its roots in an impactful childhood lesson from Stack's father, who once provided equipment to a child caught stealing, understanding the deeper desire "he just wants to play baseball." This discussion highlighted the retail giant's compassionate core. By providing a sense of belonging and structure, Stack recognizes that sports programs are vital for keeping kids engaged in their communities and focused on their education. To date, the foundation has positively affected over 3 million children.

The Foot Locker Acquistion And The Road Ahead

The acquisition of Foot Locker demonstrated Stack's strategic vision for growth. Beyond accessing global markets where DICK's can't place full-scale stores, Stack sees an opportunity to elevate Foot Locker back to its former position atop the specialty chain. Despite describing it as a "fixer-upper," his enthusiasm was infectious as he detailed assembling world-class executive teams globally.

On the state of retail, Stack offered measured optimism: "Our shopper is in pretty good shape," though he acknowledged consumers are more cautious, seeking innovation, differentiation, and value. His philosophy for success? "To be a really good retailer, you have to be able to look around corners" – projecting trends and understanding needs before they're fully realized.

Stack's perspective on AI embodied the innovation theme perfectly. "We know it's going to change the world," he stated, but emphasized using it as a productivity tool rather than replacing people. "I don't think anybody should be afraid of AI," he insisted, viewing it as creating opportunities rather than threats. His management philosophy of "Yes, if..." rather than "No, because..." extends to AI adoption, fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

Confronting Reality: What The Data Actually Reveals

Following the keynote's forward-looking vision, RetailNext's Joe Shasteen brought attendees back to the present with a masterclass in data-driven reality during our fireside chat, "What 2025's Real Traffic and Conversion Data Reveals About Retail's New Reality." Drawing from RetailNext's unparalleled dataset spanning 560+ retailers across 100+ countries, Joe delivered insights that challenged many long-held assumptions about current retail performance.

The global picture Joe painted was one of surprising resilience coupled with dramatic regional variations. While overall retail traffic grew modestly year over year by 2.3%, the real story emerged in the details. Conversion rates globally have improved by a full percentage point, validating what we call "The Power of 1%" methodology, where converting just one additional customer out of every hundred creates exponential profitability improvements.

The US market data proved particularly revelatory. Contrary to pessimistic predictions, American retail performed robustly throughout 2025's critical shopping periods. Black Friday exceeded expectations, though conversion rates during this peak period actually declined slightly. This paradox suggests retailers are successfully driving foot traffic but struggling to close sales amid the chaos of peak shopping days.

Joe's analysis of format-specific performance revealed striking disparities. Specialty retailers and luxury brands are thriving in some categories. Meanwhile, department stores continue to face headwinds, with traffic declining despite aggressive promotional strategies. The message was clear: one-size-fits-all retail strategies are failing. Success requires precise, data-informed approaches tailored to specific formats and customer segments.

Perhaps most actionable were Joe's insights on shopping pattern evolution. The traditional holiday shopping calendar has dissolved, replaced by a continuous cycle of micro-moments throughout the quarter. Retailers still operating on conventional seasonal assumptions are missing significant revenue opportunities.

DIG DEEPER 👉 Black Friday 2025: US Retail Traffic And Sales Performance

Experience Innovation In Action

The day's discussions about innovation and data-driven insights came to life at our booth through an exciting partnership with Dave & Buster's. Their Pop The Lock arcade game activation transformed our space into a hub of energy and engagement, demonstrating how experiential retail creates lasting connections with customers.

Watching retail executives compete for high scores while discussing strategy perfectly embodied the fusion of entertainment and analytics that defines modern retail success. Dave & Buster's trust in RetailNext to showcase their brand experience at our booth reflects the deep partnerships we've built with retailers who understand that success requires both innovative thinking and precise execution.

The activation drew consistent crowds throughout the day, with participants eager to test their skills while learning how Dave & Buster's uses RetailNext's analytics to optimize their unique entertainment-dining hybrid model. Winners walked away with exclusive prizes, but everyone gained insights into how experiential retail drives measurable business results.

Day 1 of NRF 2026 established the foundation for what promises to be retail's most pivotal year. The convergence of technological innovation and data-driven decision making isn't just changing how retailers operate; it's redefining what retail means in the modern economy.

The insights shared today make one thing abundantly clear: retailers who combine innovative technology adoption with rigorous data analysis will separate themselves from the competition. Those relying on intuition and traditional approaches will find themselves increasingly disconnected from evolving customer expectations and market realities.

As we prepare for Day 2, the focus shifts from innovation to agility: examining how retailers can rapidly adapt to the changes discussed today. Join us at booth #4657 tomorrow for fireside chats featuring exclusive insights from retail leaders who are successfully navigating this transformation. The Dave & Buster's activation continues throughout the show, offering more opportunities to experience firsthand how innovation translates into engagement.

The Big Show has only just begun, but the message is already crystal clear: retail's future belongs to those brave enough to innovate, smart enough to follow the data, and agile enough to act on both. At RetailNext, we're proud to provide the intelligence platform that makes this transformation possible, proving once again that when it comes to retail success, Innovation. Agility. Impact. is the industry's roadmap forward.

SEE THE NRF 2026 AGENDA 👉 Book A Meeting & Browse The Fireside Chats