NRF & NYC Stores 2025
Downloadable report
John Ryan – Retail expert
Retail’s biggest event, NRF 2025, saw strong attendance, with AI refining retail operations rather than revolutionising them. Physical stores are resurging, self-checkout is dominant, AI’s role is evolving, and theft remains a major challenge.
- Self-checkout is expanding despite consumer resistance, autonomous retail is fading, giving way to experience-driven physical stores.
- AI is streamlining checkout and stock tracking, though its future impact remains uncertain.
- NYC stores highlight key trends: Whole Foods’ self-checkout focus, Thuma’s immersive retail, Dyson’s futuristic design, Skims’ traditional in-store model, and GU’s budget-friendly fashion.
