
Earlier this January, we — Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, and Lena Coulibaly, Senior Sales & Client Relations Manager at GS1 Sweden — traveled to the bustling metropolis of New York to attend NRF Retail’s Big Show, one of the world’s most prestigious retail trade shows. With over 1,000 exhibitors, 170 sessions, and 40,000 participants from 100 countries, Manhattan transformed into a vibrant hub of innovation and networking. In this blog post, we summarize some of the key trends we observed during our visit.
2025 – the year AI delivers business value
At Friday’s full-day event, Amazon Web Services (AWS) shared their vision for the future of retail, focusing on AI’s tremendous potential. Discussions centered on how AI can enhance customer experiences and optimize business operations. A highlight was a captivating presentation demonstrating AI’s evolution from an experimental technology to one that delivers tangible business value. The U.S. is clearly at the forefront of this development. American companies are not only implementing AI solutions but actively using them to drive innovation and improve real-time customer experiences, while many European businesses remain in the strategy phase. The session provided insights into how companies can leverage AI to personalize customer interactions, optimize inventory management, and streamline supply chains.
A highly successful “Do-Tank”
We had the privilege of co-hosting an exclusive Do-Tank with Fujitsu and Celonis on the iconic 70th floor of the World Trade Center. This gathering brought together invited global retail leaders for insightful discussions on retail technology and regulatory compliance. The fully attended Do-Tank aimed to help companies understand the steps needed to achieve compliance and derive business value from sustainability and traceability regulations affecting retail. Featuring insights from Brooklyn Brewery and Stadium, the event highlighted both challenges and opportunities in digitization. The session concluded with presentations from tech providers showcasing solutions for improving efficiency and sustainability in value chains. Notably, Oscar Rundqvist presented eComID’s groundbreaking innovations to reduce product returns — a critical focus for sustainable retail operations.
The new rules of the retail game
AI also took center stage at the EMEA Big Ideas Retail Brunch. A key takeaway was the absolute necessity of building trust in AI to stay competitive in the evolving retail landscape.
Following the brunch, the conference sessions began with a packed agenda. One standout session featured Ellen Svanström, Chief Digital Information Officer at H&M, discussing “the next big tech game-changer for retail.” She highlighted the benefits of in-store RFID technology and how continuous data reading provides valuable insights that enhance the shopping experience. Stores generate as much data as e-commerce, offering invaluable insights to better meet customer needs.
Image from the presentation What’s the next big tech game-changer on the retail horizon? including Ellen Svanström from H&M. Photo: Jason Dixson Photography When we weren’t attending sessions, we explored the vast exhibition area with over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing solutions and innovations in retail technology, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, machine learning, facial recognition, and advanced point-of-sale systems. Some of the exhibitors we engaged with in deeper conversations included Zebra, Avanade, Verifone, Avery Dennison, and SML Group. While Zebra, Avery Dennison, and SML Group specialize in RFID technology and IoT solutions for real-time inventory accuracy and product tracking, Avanade and Verifone integrate these technologies into broader digital strategies and payment systems.
Photo: Jason Dixson PhotographyTechnology and sustainability: Two sides of retail’s future
NRF Retail’s Big Show stands unparalleled in its scale, innovation, and impact on the retail industry. While AI and technological innovation took center stage, we hoped to see more focus on sustainability. An important exception was a session featuring IKEA, Target, and Walmart discussing sustainability and circular business models. Target showcased a car seat recycling program tailored to customer needs, Walmart introduced its “Resold at Walmart” marketplace for secondhand goods, and IKEA US aims to make 100% of its products reusable by 2030.
It’s clear that digital transformation and sustainability go hand in hand, with GS1 playing a crucial role. GS1 standards enable efficient traceability, a foundational element for achieving sustainability goals and ensuring accountability throughout the supply chain.
Our days in New York were packed with insights and learning, but the most memorable aspect was the invaluable conversations with the people we met. We look forward to continuing these discussions back home and working together to drive traceability, accelerate digitalization, and enhance sustainability in retail.
Authors: Lena Coulibaly, Senior Sales & Client Relations Manager, GS1 Sweden and Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden
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Lena Coulibaly, Senior Sales & Client Relations Manager, GS1 Sweden
Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden