NRF 2025 Recap: Transforming Retail Through Innovation and Connection

NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show has come and gone, but the inspiration and insights shared over three days in New York City will resonate throughout the year. With over 40,000 retail professionals gathering to explore what’s next, this year’s event showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in the ever-evolving retail landscape.

From cutting-edge AI technologies to reimagining customer experiences, the sessions were as diverse as the industry itself. Here are the top highlights from NRF 2025 that left us energized for the future of retail.

Future-forward insights from NRF 2025

Across the panels and workshops, major themes emerged giving clear insight into how we are planning to tackle this new world of ecommerce. 

Game-changing technology took center stage.

Retailers know that staying ahead means embracing innovation, and this year, the focus was on leveraging AI and digital transformation to revolutionize how brands operate. Generative AI emerged as a major game-changer, with discussions on its ability to streamline content creation, localize campaigns, and deliver hyper-personalized customer journeys. Technologies like biometrics and computer vision are poised to push boundaries even further.

Elevating customer experience is paramount.

Customers crave connection, and this year’s NRF emphasized the importance of blending physical and digital experiences. For brands like Coach and Anthropologie, the focus was on building immersive, multi-sensory experiences that delight in-store visitors. Meanwhile, Sephora reinforced the importance of using AI-driven insights to modernize store layouts, curate product categories, and create more agile spaces that cater to ever-evolving customer expectations. 

Social commerce is on the rise.

In a rapidly digitalizing world and with U.S. social commerce sales projected to surpass $100 billion in 2025, social commerce has become essential for engaging younger consumers. Unlike traditional marketing funnels, social commerce operates in a cyclical model, where discovery, interaction, and purchase flow seamlessly back into ongoing engagement. This approach prioritizes building lasting relationships over one-time transactions, ensuring brands remain part of their customers’ everyday lives.

Catalyst: Redefining composable commerce in 2025

At NRF 2025, BigCommerce, alongside UPLIFT Desk and Vercel, introduced Catalyst, our composable storefront framework designed to simplify headless commerce. Built on Next.js and hosted on Vercel, Catalyst offers unmatched speed, flexibility, and customization.

During our speaking session, UPLIFT Desk shared their success story, highlighting faster site speed, reduced bounce rates, and improved Google Lighthouse scores following their December 2024 migration. As Daniel Burrow, VP of Sales and Marketing at UPLIFT Desk, shared:

“Catalyst has provided the agility and ease of use we need to stay ahead in a competitive market.”

Malte Ubl, CTO at Vercel, addressed common misconceptions about composable commerce, emphasizing Catalyst’s ability to bridge advanced development tools with ease of use for teams across organizations. With Catalyst, brands can deliver high-performing, visually stunning storefronts while removing the complexity typically associated with headless solutions.

The final word

As NRF 2025 proved, the future of retail lies in adaptability. Whether it’s using AI to simplify operations, crafting memorable in-store experiences, or fostering sustainability, the path forward is clear: retailers must stay agile, innovative, and customer-focused.

The insights gained from this year’s sessions will undoubtedly shape strategies in the months ahead. As we reflect on NRF 2025, we’re excited to continue driving the conversation forward — and we hope to see you at next year’s event!