NRF Board Chair and BJ’s Wholesale Chairman and CEO, Bob Eddy, kicks off NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show with a welcome address and a look ahead at what’s in store for the industry. He’ll offer a preview of this year’s event highlights and share NRF’s key initiatives shaping retail in 2026. Immediately following, Ed Stack, Executive Chairman of DICK’S Sporting Goods, will join Bob on stage for a fireside chat. Their conversation will explore leadership strategies for navigating shifting consumer expectations, the evolving role of experiential retail in sports, and how DICK’S is leveraging technology and community engagement to drive growth and loyalty.

Fanatics Founder and CEO Michael Rubin kicks off NRF 2026 with a powerful look at how disruptive strategies are reshaping the future of retail. In a world where consumer expectations shift daily, Michael shares how bold moves in vertical integration, real-time manufacturing, partnerships spanning leagues, teams and athletes globally, and direct-to-consumer agility are redefining how products are created, sold, and experienced. Discover how a fan-first mindset – built on speed, innovation, and emotional connection – is driving a new model for growth across industries.

As AI reshapes the future of retail, leaders are navigating the complex path from experimentation to real-world implementation. This session explores how cutting-edge advancements in generative AI and large-scale models are being applied across merchandising, supply chain, marketing, and customer experience. Learn how forward-thinking companies are tackling the biggest barriers to adoption—from fragmented data and legacy systems to talent gaps and ethical considerations—while building scalable, responsible AI strategies that unlock real business value.

Join Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of REI Co-op, as she shares how the iconic outdoor retailer is building trust with outdoor enthusiasts through a focus on delivering reliability, integrity, care and connection. Guided by the co-op’s new strategic plan, Peak 28: Ascending Together, Mary Beth will discuss how REI is revitalizing the co-op by putting the customer at the center–listening to and acting on member feedback, strengthening community engagement, and leveraging data and innovation while staying true to its purpose and values. This session offers inspiration for leaders who are looking to turn customer insights into action and build resilient, purpose-driven organizations.

In a rapidly evolving retail landscape, global luxury leader LVMH and its Maisons are embracing technology transformation firsthand as AI becomes integrated into strategic decisions and daily processes. As an industry leader, LVMH is in a unique position to engage in a tech ecosystem of partners with scale as the next frontier and main challenge. In this dynamic mainstage conversation, LVMH leadership will explore how LVMH is setting the standard for digital transformation in luxury retail — and what every brand can learn from its bold, leading-edge approach to growth.

As one of Asia’s most forward-thinking retailers, FairPrice Group (FPG) blends purpose with performance across a US$3.2 billion enterprise spanning 570 touchpoints. In this session, Group CEO Vipul Chawla shares how Singapore's leading retailer is accelerating growth and delivering value through omnichannel transformation, own-brand expansion, and its cutting-edge 'Store of Tomorrow' initiative. Discover how FPG is reimagining retail experiences with gen-AI-driven personalization, digital aisles, and smart shopping carts while staying true to its purpose of making every day a little better for those it serves. Learn the strategic levers behind FPG's US$730 million own-brand business, its data-led customer insights engine, and how technology and innovation are helping it keep daily essentials within reach for customers. This session offers practical lessons in leading retail transformation at scale – bridging physical and digital, purpose and growth – to build the modern store for the next generation of consumers.

Fran Horowitz, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and NRF’s 2026 Visionary Award recipient, has led one of retail’s most notable reinventions. Guided by a philosophy rooted in listening to the customer, empowering teams, and staying agile in a shifting marketplace, Horowitz has transformed A&F Co. into a modern, relevant business with globally iconic brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Under her leadership, the company has embraced digital innovation, elevated its brand storytelling, and expanded its reach to new generations of customers, leading A&F Co. to 11 consecutive quarters of growth as of August 2025. She has also championed a culture of inclusivity and belonging, positioning A&F Co. as both a financial and cultural success story. In this fireside chat, hear how Horowitz’s leadership approach, grounded in authenticity, accountability and balance, continues to shape retail’s future and inspire leaders across the industry.

More details coming soon!

Luxury consumer expectations are only increasing, and as the world’s largest multi-brand luxury retailer, Saks Global is on a mission to redefine luxury shopping – anticipating luxury consumers’ desires at every turn. One year after Saks Global’s acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group, CEO Marc Metrick will join CNBC’s Sara Eisen to discuss how the company is bringing together the best of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman to create new and better shopping experiences for the future. Metrick will share how the company is bringing its vision, The Art of You, to life by delivering what luxury consumers value most: inspiration, curation, convenience and seamless shopping experiences that are artfully curated to each individual. This keynote session offers insights into the strategies that will set a new standard for luxury shopping, harnessing the power of some of the world’s most iconic luxury retailers.

As the retail landscape rapidly evolves, staying ahead demands bold vision, strategic innovation, and people-forward leadership. In this candid conversation, Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman joins Bobby Stephens, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, to share how Ulta is shaping the future of beauty through its Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy. Discover how Ulta focuses on driving profitable growth and increasing market share in the beauty and wellness sectors, curating a diverse product assortment across all categories, fostering authentic customer connections, expanding its omnichannel presence, and strengthening customer loyalty through an expanded membership base and personalization. This session goes beyond theory, delivering insights into the leadership mindset and operational blueprint behind one of the country’s leading beauty retailers, and helping equip attendees with actionable strategies toward driving transformation and profitable growth.

Gary Vaynerchuk — serial entrepreneur, brand builder and CEO of VaynerMedia — joins the NRF 2026 Main Stage to challenge, inspire and energize the retail industry. In this no-holds-barred fireside chat, Vaynerchuk will share his unfiltered take on what it takes to win in today’s attention economy, where consumer expectations shift overnight and brand loyalty is earned in seconds. He’ll unpack how retailers can harness emerging platforms, AI, influencer culture and content at scale to stay relevant and drive growth. Expect sharp insights on leadership, marketing and customer obsession — delivered with Vaynerchuk’s trademark energy. Whether you’re a legacy retailer or a disruptive startup, this session will push you to think bigger, move faster and connect more authentically with the people who matter most: your customers.

Join this inspiring panel discussion to hear from the global presidents of VF Corporation's powerhouse brands — The North Face, Timberland, and Vans — about their collective strategies to spur new stakeholder value across the organization. These dynamic leaders will discuss how they’re shaping VF’s growth strategy and redefining what it means to align each brand with its unique community of core consumers. They’ll share insights on staying connected to customer needs and fostering innovation that stays true to each brand’s heritage. Hear how these leaders are navigating global shifts, advancing the company’s long-term vision, and cultivating resilience within their teams. This conversation offers a compelling look at how VF Corp. is leveraging bold leadership to impact the world of outdoor apparel, footwear, and action sports.

In a dynamic conversation between two influential leaders in retail, Linda Hubbard, CEO of Carhartt, and Anne Mehlman, EVP and Global Brand President of Crocs explore how legacy brands can thrive in a fast-changing global marketplace. From workwear to lifestyle footwear, their brands have captured the hearts of consumers through authenticity, innovation, and bold transformation. This session will unpack how Carhartt and Crocs are continuing to evolve to stay connected and relevant to their consumers; strategies for scaling purpose-driven storytelling across global markets; operational insights on navigating supply chain, sustainability, and digital acceleration, and personal leadership philosophies that drive resilience and reinvention. Join this panel for a candid and inspiring dialogue that bridges tradition and disruption – offering actionable insights for retail leaders shaping the future of commerce.

In today’s hypercompetitive marketplace, the most successful brands don’t just serve their customers — they obsess over them. This session explores how leading companies are putting the consumer at the center of every decision, using real-time insights, feedback loops, and co-creation strategies to drive meaningful innovation. Learn how a deep understanding of evolving needs, behaviors and aspirations can inspire breakthrough products and enduring loyalty. From digital listening to community-led design, we’ll unpack the tools and cultural shifts required to build products that resonate — and outperform. Whether you’re a legacy retailer or a fast-scaling brand, discover how to embed consumer obsession into your innovation DNA and stay ahead of the curve in a world where the customer truly calls the shots.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming how retailers operate; it is fundamentally reshaping how consumers think, shop, and buy. Welcome to the era of the AI native consumer: a generation of shoppers whose expectations, behaviors, and decision-making are being shaped in real time by intelligent systems, from generative AI search and virtual assistants to personalized recommendations and synthetic influencers. In this provocative and fast-paced session, Jason “Retail Geek” Goldberg, one of retail’s most trusted voices on digital transformation, unpacks how AI is disrupting every stage of the customer journey. Discover how algorithms are rewriting the rules of discovery and brand relevance; why traditional search and advertising models are being upended; and how emerging platforms are re-defining trust and loyalty. Through real-world examples and forward-looking insights, Jason will explore what it means to design for the AI-shaped path to purchase, and what retailers, brands, and marketplaces must do now to thrive in this new reality. Attendees will leave with a sharper understanding of the consumer future that’s already here – and a playbook for turning disruption into durable advantage.