Registration Eligibility

PLEASE NOTE: If you were redirected to this eligibility page after creating an account, your business profile is under review by NRF and you will receive an update email within 2-3 business days.

Industry categories that qualify for retail badges

• Retailers/Food Retail/Foodservice
  Sells goods directly to consumers via storefront, catalog, television, or online. Retail status requires current operation and a minimum of $1M/year in sales.

• Consumer Brands
  Sells non-durable, non-tech products such as food, beverages, makeup, and pharmaceuticals for individual consumption.

• Consumer Services
  Services that directly impact a consumer’s life or experience, such as travel agencies, ticketing platforms, cleaning services, and tutoring. (Excludes cashback, coupon, or return services.)

• Retail Brand Investment Firms
  Investment entities such as holding companies, private equity firms, or family offices that have a significant equity ownership (actively participating in their strategic direction and operations) in retail brand(s) and companies providing products or services closely related to the retail industry.

• Entertainment
  Operators of entertainment venues and destinations including concert halls, amusement parks, and sports teams.

• Hospitality
  Operators of hotels, resorts, casinos, airlines, trains, and cruise lines.

Industry categories that qualify for non-retail badges

• Industry Partners
  Vendors providing products or services to retailers, such as logistics, POS systems, data solutions, and loss prevention.

• Business Electronics Companies
  Hardware/software firms selling communication or computing devices to retailers and consumers.

• Consultants
  Firms or individuals offering business strategy advice or product evaluations.

• Delivery/Payment/Loyalty App Providers
  Apps purchased by retailers for services like delivery, payment, loyalty programs, returns, etc.

• Employee Benefits and Insurance Payers
  Firms managing payroll, recruiting, or insurance services for retailers.

• Financial Institutions
  Banks, credit card providers, mortgage firms, and investment advisors.

• Government
  Federal, state, or local agencies.

• Insurance Services
  Insurance providers for businesses or individuals.

• Marketplace/Ecommerce Technology Providers
  Platforms or tech firms serving online commerce and transactions.

• Media Outlets
  Non-editorial media professionals (TV, podcast, blog, etc.).

• Recycling Services
  Firms managing recycling for retail and other commercial properties.

• Shopping Center / Property Management
  Developers or managers of shopping centers and commercial real estate.

• Visual Merchandising / Store Design
  Firms offering consulting or architectural services for retail design (not consumer-facing product sellers).

Both category

• Both (Retail + Non-Retail Divisions)

  Companies that maintain distinct divisions or lines of business that qualify separately under both retail and non-retail categories. These organizations may operate consumer-facing retail brands while also providing technology, logistics, financial, or other B2B services to the industry.
  
  Badge assignments for "both" companies are based on an individual’s role and division within the organization, and are subject to NRF review.

Industry categories that require special credentials

• Press / Media
  NRF welcomes industry members of the editorial press to cover its conferences. Media attending must be pre-approved to receive complimentary registration. For more information, contact eventpress@nrf.com.

• Analyst
  Individuals or organizations whose core business produces research and analysis on issues related specifically to the retail industry. For more information, contact eventpress@nrf.com.

• Educator
  Teaching faculty or directors affiliated with retail-related academic programs. Requires documentation (e.g., CV, university ID).

• Trade Association
  Nonprofit industry organizations; limited to two attendees per association.

• Nonprofit Companies
  Entities organized for non-commercial purposes. Contact required for approval.

Students

• Students at the undergraduate and graduate level are eligible to attend the NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City (Jan. 8-11, 2026).

• This event is a four-day experience that helps college students explore careers in the retail industry. Students connect with retail executives across marketing, merchandising, sustainability, tech, and more — and meet hundreds of recruiters from top brands during the career fair.

• The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, educators, and staff at any U.S. college or university, and registration closes on Dec. 19, 2025.

• Students that register for and attend the NRF Foundation Student Program are eligible to redeem a student pass to NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show.

Questions about your qualification?

• Please email registration@nrf.com for any qualification questions.

Questions on your existing registration?

• Contact Customer Service by e-mail at nrfbigshow@maritz.com, or by phone, 864-208-3373 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET).