NRF isn’t just for techies
As I prepare to pack my bags for New York to spend a few days in the NYC office and attend the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show” held at Javit’s Center from Jan. 13 to 15, I feel compelled to bring up this point about the annual NRF convention: it isn’t just for techies.
Each year I attend, and each year I wonder why more folks in the real estate space don’t attend the show. Yes, I know the phrase “cloud computing” flows like water on the show aisles, but I also routinely meet with real estate software companies and witness first-hand solutions that will directly impact a retailer’s real estate.
And, in fact, doesn’t technology in general impact real estate? If I were still a retailer, I would feel it imperative to see the latest and greatest in retail technology, whether it be POS systems, traffic-counting devices or state-of-the-art in-store selling tools or communications solutions. Anything that is meant to drive sales and traffic directly impacts a retailer’s real estate.
I’ll be at the Big Show in mid-January, taking note of what will be unveiled in 2013. Maybe I’ll see you there.