From humanoid robots to agentic AI, I learned what retail insiders are buzzing about at a major industry conference

I went to NRF 2026.

Jordan Hart/Business Insider

• AI dominated this week's discussions at Retail's Big Show, a leading industry conference.
• I attended for the first time and saw retail leaders showcase AI-powered shopping tools and chatbots.
• Gen Z shoppers said they value authenticity and transparency in brands using AI.

There were two little letters on everyone's lips: AI.

Each year, the National Retail Federation, a leading industry trade group, hosts one of the industry's largest conferences...