There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show. Each year, it generates an unmistakable buzz across the retail industry. What matters most, however, is how that buzz translates into real insight and action.

NRF 2026 delivered bold predictions, big ideas, and no shortage of conversation around AI. The real question is what retailers actually took seriously this year.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon is joined by Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group and Casey Golden of CI&T to break down the signals that mattered most from both the show floor and the stage.

Rather than rehashing headlines, the conversation focuses on the realities retailers are facing today, including:

• Why NRF 2026 felt fresher and more grounded than recent years

• The shift from AI education to AI implementation and accountability

• Where pressure is building around data readiness, change management, and ROI

• Practical examples of what is working, what remains difficult, and what may be overhyped

• Why transparency, experimentation, and learning from failure stood out this year

Whether you missed NRF or attended in person, this episode offers a clear, honest debrief designed to help retail leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

Listen to the full episode of Retail Therapy