Gearing Up for NRF 2020
The world’s largest retail conference and expo, the National Retail Foundation 2020 Vision trade show is right around the corner. NRF Retail Week connects forward-thinking visionaries with the latest advances via a packed calendar from January 11-14, including presentations, networking events, exhibits, workshops, innovative tours, and much more. As always, flexEngage will be in the thick of things to share our newest ways to drive revenue and ROI growth for retailers worldwide. Here are some of the top offerings this year.
Guided Retail Store Tours
Where better to take in retail space than New York City? On January 11, Guided Retail Store Tours will offer an inside look at cutting-edge spaces owned by global retail leaders. Two sites that will be included are Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate development in the U.S., and the Oculus, which has the most diverse array of retail space in town, including pop-ups as well as flagship stores and online stores that have expanded to brick and mortar. Tours to SoHo and Iconic Retailers will also be offered and at each stop, store administrators will explain features, innovations, store design, and custom experiences.
NRF Innovation Lab
The NRF Innovation Lab allows you to get up close to the latest applications in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, machine learning, facial recognition, robotics, and more. This immersive exhibit was added to NRF just four years ago and 2020 promises to reveal even more progressive technology by showcasing over 50 trendsetters from around the globe as they track the latest developments in retail tech. The Innovation Lab also helps establish partnerships between exhibitors and major retailers.
The Human Factor
At flexEngage, we’re all about the customer experience, so we’re excited to see so many speakers sharing their perspective on just that. While technology is key to driving sales, business leaders still recognize the need to treat customers like indispensable individuals. On Monday, January 13, Kevin Johnson, the president and CEO of Starbucks, will give the keynote address, emphasizing the power of emotion and human connection as essential components to long-term business success. That evening, Mastercard President and CEO Ajay Banga will discuss how brands need to build ongoing relationships with their customers, grounded in a shared purpose in order to extend a company’s impact. On January 14, a panel with representatives from Birchbox, Bombas, and Cotopaxi will expound on how success lies in building emotional connections with consumers around shared values.
Modern Media
Shopping experiences are ever-evolving and at NRF you’ll get to see the latest trends in product media. Major retailers are reimagining shopping experiences by utilizing 3D and Augmented Reality product media. This strategy accelerates product launches and increases conversion rates by creating entire catalogs using computer-generated imaging texturing and 3D rendering tools. On Monday, January 13, learn from Jane Rawnsley, head of imagery creative at Wayfair, how the company built an in-house digital studio capable of creating photoreal images from 3D CAD files and how this approach has transformed the interior design experience for their clients. “We imagine what retail would look like if spatial computing is the next computing platform, so that’s why we built a home design experience,” said Shrenik Sadalgi of Wayfair.
The Startup Zone
Interested in experiencing emerging tech from the industry’s newest talent? Then check out the Startup Zone. From AI to AR advancements, the latest innovations will be staged by companies such as Anagog, which pioneered on-device artificial intelligence (Edge-AI) solutions that turn mobile phones into personal data engines, all while fiercely protecting each user’s privacy. High tech and cybersecurity experts Preciate integrate state-of-the-art facial recognition for retail, creating seamless between brands, sales associates, and customers.
Workshops
NRF 2020 will help you advance your vision for your business with a series of three specialized workshops. Food Tech on January 11 will feature industry leaders who will delve into the latest in foodservice technology. On January 15, retail leaders and information security professionals will address cybersecurity challenges facing the retail sector during a day of mini-conferences including one that examines emerging cyber threats and their direct implications from the perspective of the attacker. Plus, learn where the industry is going, what to expect, and what enterprises should be doing about it. Attendees will learn about their cyber blind spots are and how Cyber Reconnaissance is the next step. That same day, a session on supply chains and logistics explores the latest technologies and processes needed to maximize supply chain initiatives.
Focusing on flex
Taking on the POS world, flexEngage focuses on being your POS marketing arm. Our patented integration process allows us to be able to market through your POS – something that has thus far been a lackluster experience for retailers, to inspire a better experience for your customers and reduce churn. Stepping beyond the digital receipt, flexEngage is showcasing its newest products at NRF: the Repurchase & Retention Engine. Expanding the window of opportunity for many retailers, the repurchase engine aims to use the higher than average KPIs of your transactional emails to inspire a deeper connection with your brand and identify the persuadable customers who are about to churn before they do.
In a time when retail is booming both online and in brick and mortar settings, flexEngage is dedicated to staying at the forefront of optimizing the omnichannel customer experience. So, stop by our booth during the show to meet face-to-face and experience our marketing savvy and check out the new technology we are creating for retailers to stay ahead of the curve.
INTERESTED IN UPGRADING YOUR STRATEGY WITH FLEXENGAGE?
Book a demo with flexEngage at NRF to receive a walkthrough of your moment after the purchase strategy.