The Ultimate NRF 2026 Guide: Plan, Navigate, and Maximize Your Show Experience
.jpeg)
NRF 2026 is one of the most important events of the year for retailers evaluating what’s next — from inventory and operations to customer experience and growth strategy. With thousands of exhibitors, nonstop sessions, and a massive expo floor, it’s easy to leave inspired but overwhelmed.
This guide brings together the most useful NRF resources in one place to help you plan smarter, navigate more efficiently, and turn NRF 2026 into something actionable — not just memorable.
Want the TL:DR version? Jump to the NRF resource links here!
The Importance of Planning Ahead for NRF 2026
NRF isn’t just about seeing what’s new. It’s about pressure-testing ideas, learning from peers, and understanding what’s realistic for your business in the next 6–12 months.
Retailers who get the most value from NRF tend to do two things well:
- Plan before arriving — set priorities, identify the sessions and exhibitors that matter most, and schedule your time efficiently.
- Decide after the show — focus on the ideas and contacts that will have the biggest impact, and determine what to act on first.
With those two steps in place, everything in between becomes easier to navigate and more productive.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a quick checklist of resources to use before you arrive at the Big Show.
✅ #1: Make a Game Plan with the NRF26 Mobile App
Treat NRF 2026 like a short, focused window — not a free-for-all.
Before you arrive, take time to define:
- The operational challenges you’re trying to solve
- The types of conversations you want to have
- How much time you realistically have each day
Once you’ve set that foundation, the NRF tools become far more valuable.
A good place to start is the official NRF app, where you can build your schedule, bookmark sessions, track exhibitors, and organize your days before they fill up on their own.
👉 NRF 2026 Mobile App | NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show
✅ #2: Navigating the Expo Floor Like a Pro with the Interactive Floor Plan
The NRF expo floor is impressive — and easy to underestimate.
Walking in without a plan often leads to surface-level conversations and missed opportunities. Reviewing the interactive expo map ahead of time allows you to:
- Group booths by theme or category
- Schedule meetings in the same areas of the hall
- Avoid unnecessary backtracking between sessions
This approach keeps your energy focused and your conversations more productive.
👉 NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show | Floor Plan
✅ #3: Maximize Booth Visits with Guided Tours
Some of the most valuable takeaways at NRF don’t come from what you scheduled — they come from what you didn’t know to look for.
That’s where guided expo tours can be especially helpful. These tours are curated around specific retail topics and help surface ideas, exhibitors, and perspectives you might otherwise miss. They’re also a strong option if your time on the floor is limited and you want to get the most out of every visit.
Here’s a list of the expo tours available through NRF this year:
- Creating a Winning Retail Experience with Seamless Customer Journeys
- Engaging Consumers with Generative AI
- Future Tech
- Intelligent Retail & Customer-Centric Experiences
- Operational Experience, Logistics & Supply Chain (FieldStack is a featured stop on this one!)
👉 Expo Tour | NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show
✅ #4: Choosing Sessions That are Worth Your Time
NRF sessions range from visionary keynotes to highly tactical breakouts. Some vendors will even host their own sessions at their booths (we’re one of them — learn more here). The goal isn’t to attend everything — it’s to attend what actually pays off for you.
A balanced approach:
- Anchor your schedule with one or two keynotes
- Prioritize practitioner-led sessions focused on execution
- Leave space to process and take notes, not just rush between rooms
Be selective with your schedule and flexible once you’re on the ground. The sessions that stick are usually the ones that connect most directly to what you’re working on right now.
👉 Session Topics | NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show
✅ #5: Dive into Reverse Logistics at NRF Rev
New to NRF in 2026, NRF Rev is a dedicated experience focused on reverse logistics, returns, and post-purchase operations — areas that are becoming increasingly critical for retailers. Unlike the broader show floor, NRF Rev is designed specifically for retail attendees, creating a more focused environment for practical conversations and peer-level learning.
The sessions and discussions center on real-world challenges like returns management, fulfillment efficiency, and operational tradeoffs, making it especially relevant for teams responsible for day-to-day retail execution. If reverse logistics is on your radar for the year ahead, NRF Rev is worth carving out time for.
👉 NRF Rev | NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show
After NRF 2026: Turning Inspiration into Action
The days immediately following NRF 2026 are often the most overlooked — and the most important.
Before day-to-day operations take over:
- Review your notes within 48 hours
- Identify the top three ideas worth acting on
- Share a concise internal recap
- Decide what happens now versus later
Execution doesn’t mean doing everything. It means choosing deliberately.
What We Learned at NRF 2025 Last Year
While trends evolve every year, certain themes continue to surface once retailers return home and start executing.
In our recap from last year’s show, we broke down what stood out, what stuck, and what actually mattered after NRF ended. If you’re looking for perspective on how NRF insights translate into real-world operations, you can read our full recap here:
👉 NRF 2025 Key Takeaways | FieldStack FieldNotes Blog
NRF 2026 Resource Hub
For quick reference, here are some of the most useful official NRF resources in one place:
📍 Expo Map – Plan your time on the floor
🎟 Guided Expo Tours – Curated walkthroughs by theme
📱 NRF App – Build schedules and navigate the event
📚 NRF Rev – Ongoing retail insights and content
📝 Session Catalog – Browse speakers and topics
Meet FieldStack at NRF 2026
NRF 2026 is a key moment for retailers thinking seriously about inventory management, ordering workflows, and store-level execution.
FieldStack will be at NRF 2026 to show retailers how its platform supports consistent, efficient day-to-day operations across multiple locations. If NRF 2026 is part of your evaluation process, an in-person conversation can be one of the most effective ways to determine fit.
Book Time with FieldStack at NRF 2026
Attending NRF 2026? Schedule time with our team to talk inventory, forecasting, POS, loyalty, AI trends, you name it — and see how FieldStack supports retailers beyond the show floor.