Consumer product showcase among new offerings at NRF’ Big Show
The world’s largest retail event gets underway this weekend in New York City.
The National Retail Federation’s annual conference and expo, referred to as “Retail’s Big Show,” takes place Jan. 15 -17 at the Jacob K. Javits Conference Center in Manhattan. The 113th annual event is expected to draw close to 40,000 retailers, vendors and industry experts from around the world.
This year’s show will include the introduction of a Consumer Product Showcase, which will provide a forum for small businesses to feature their consumer-facing products for national merchandisers. The majority (84%) of products showcased will be from minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned or LGBTQ+-owned companies. More than 50 small businesses from 22 U.S. states and seven countries are confirmed to participate in the inaugural showcase.
The new initiative will take place Jan. 15 – 16 at NRF 2023 in the Special Events Hall on Level 1 of the Javits Convention Center. Title sponsors of the showcase include American Express, Amazon, Buy With Prime and SAP. Supporting companies include Bank of America and Blue Yonder.
“Retailers are continuously looking to diversify their suppliers and portfolio of product offerings to their customers,” said NRF senior VP of conferences Susan Newman. “NRF’s Consumer Product Showcase will facilitate these invaluable connections, providing the opportunity for dynamic products from suppliers, entrepreneurs, small businesses and brands to shine on a national stage.”
This year will also include a “Favorite Product” competition, offering retailers attending the show the opportunity to vote for their favorite product. The company whose product receives the most votes will win a $15,000 cash prize, with the runner-up receiving $10,000.
Speakers
Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, and Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani, will each headline keynote sessions at the NRF convention.
“We are excited to welcome global visionary leaders like Hamdi Ulukaya and Geoffroy van Raemdonck to Retail’s Big Show,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As prolific authorities within the luxury retail and food manufacturing sectors, their unique perspectives will highlight the importance of workforce development and customer relationships across all industries.”
Closing the Monday, Jan. 16 program, Ulukaya outlines his personal experience immigrating to the U.S. from Turkey, and Chobani’s mission to incorporate refugees into its workforce. As the founder of Tent Partnership for Refugees, Ulukaya will discuss the benefits of hiring refugees and why retailers should embrace this talent pool in the face of global labor shortages.
The Main Stage fireside chat on Tuesday, Jan. 17 with van Raemdonck will focus on Neiman Marcus Group’s differentiated model and how it is leading the company’s growth strategy of revolutionizing luxury experiences.
In addition to Ulukaya and van Raemdonck, NRF 2023 will feature keynote sessions with Express CEO Tim Baxter, Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, Target Corp. chairman and CEO Brian Cornell, Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner, Macy’s Inc. chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette, and Pilot Company CEO Shameek Konar among others.
In other NRF highlights, Lowe's chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison will receive The Visionary award. Ellison will be recognized during the eighth annual NRF Foundation Honors on Jan. 15. Presented each year to an outstanding retail industry leader, The Visionary award honors Ellison for his stewardship to drive positive change within the retail industry.
“With more than three decades of executive leadership at national retail brands, Marvin Ellison has built an exemplary career, driven through his passion to lead by example in the pursuit of excellence,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “A magnanimous figure among retailers, his unwavering dedication to his team, their customers and the communities they serve is indicative of his expertise and his character. NRF is honored to recognize him with The Visionary award.”
Actor, writer and producer Kal Penn, who has shifted his focus to global climate change initiatives in recent years, will deliver the closing keynote at the show on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Penn recently launched the docuseries “Getting Warmer with Kal Penn,” which explores the intersection of climate, clean energy and business. He previously served in the Obama administration as associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Along with the keynoters, the conference will feature some 175 sessions by retail and industry executives.