This year’s National Retail Federation, or NRF 2025, saw a return to form for retail’s big show, with the largest number of attendees and exhibitors since the pandemic. Over 40,000 participants ambled through 1000 exhibitions. While AI applications in retail dominated conversations, presentations, and displays this year, we also saw leaps forward in supply chain optimization, POS and self-checkout, loss prevention, and in-store digital experiences.
This post discusses the top five takeaways from the big show and what they mean for your retail business in the year ahead and in the industry at large.
1. AI: The conversation evolves
AI was on everyone’s minds at NRF 2025. If the theme of AI in retail last year was about discovering retail use cases, this year, the focus has shifted to finding value. With more advanced agentic AI poised to burst onto the scene later this year, AI will offer even more possibilities for customer personalization, inventory and supply chain optimization, and computer-vision-assisted checkout.
In some ways, this year’s AI story is about refining different AI use cases. This may be the year retailers begin seeing AI ROI en masse as they up the ante on existing AI applications and shift into new use cases.
But with everyone jumping on the AI bandwagon, how can retailers cut through the hype and find real AI solutions? The answer will come from companies that have been in data and analytics for a long time and already have a background in big data. Through it’s joint venture partner, Daitrix, Pomeroy is uniquely positioned to help retailers with pre-made AI models.
Action items:
- Evaluate your current AI usage. If you aren’t using AI yet, it’s time to get on board or get left behind.
- Find one or two use cases to apply generative AI to this year and focus on implementation.
- Connect with an experienced retail AI partner like Pomeroy.
Also read: How Pomeroy Is Using Generative AI to Enhance Customer Service and Improve Client Experience
2. Supply chain optimization
The stakes will be higher than ever for supply chains in 2025. Many vendors are highlighting their solutions to the many challenges of supply chain optimization in the coming year. Consumers are becoming more demanding and less tolerant of the inevitable disruptions in supply chains that could come from tariffs and a potential trade conflict. New standards are expected from the IEEE that will govern IoT devices used to monitor and track items across the supply chain.
We’re seeing multiple technologies converge—IoT, RFID, and big data analytics—unified by AI to make supply chain management more efficient and agile.
Action items:
- Review your strategies for managing supply chain disruptions.
- Assess emerging technologies to assist with supply chain management.
3. The next generation of POS and self-checkout is here
Trends focus on evolution in areas without massive technological shifts, such as POS and self-checkout (SCO). New self-checkout lanes are modular, giving retailers the freedom to move the display and arrange it differently as needed. Pomeroy partners ELO and HP are evolving the SCO game with versatile and modular options that fit any retailer’s needs; from click and collect smart lockers, to scan and go checkout kiosks.
Computer vision is also speeding up checkout. IoT cameras installed in a check quickly and accurately identify a product using AI, all without the use of bar codes. Rather than scanning items one at a time, customers can deposit a group of items on a counter and process their payment within seconds.
Pomeroy and our strategic partner Toshiba have implemented produce recognition technology for our grocery customers. This technology helps reduce shrink, as well as speeding up the checkout process.
Action item:
- Does your checkout process need a refresh? Time to evaluate.
4. The next level of loss prevention
One of the most rapidly evolving areas in retail is loss prevention, particularly regarding product recognition and its implementation in manned and self-service consumer lanes. Addressing the challenges of theft and inaccuracies is crucial, as not all issues stem from theft alone but accidental walkouts. For example, a greeting card might slip to the bottom of a cart.
Companies increasingly employ advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence technologies to mitigate potential losses. These tools help minimize opportunities for behaviors that could lead to financial loss, whether intentional or unintentional. Additionally, sophisticated camera technology enhances monitoring capabilities, especially when product movement is slower.
Action item:
- Can you empower existing IoT devices, like security cameras, with AI solutions to aid in theft prevention efforts? Research the tools or talk to an expert IT partner.
5. In-store experiences must be exceptional
Technology-enhanced in-store experiences have been around for some time. The narrative from NRF 2025 in this realm is once again about convergence driven by AI and not just for customers. Employees and customers gain value from AI agents deepening personalization. The next generation of AI will be able to tell when a customer has recently purchased a TV. Rather than just suggesting more TVs, it will prompt store associates to upsell an accompanying sound system or other relevant accessories.
AR, VR, and IoT enable advanced displays and apps that help customers visualize their purchases before finalizing. These experiences are now a given. Refining and going deeper with the customer helps your stores and associates stand out.
Action items:
- Assess your customers’ buying journey both in-store and out.
- Determine where new technologies can enhance the process.
Also read: Innovation Is the Key to Success in the Retail Industry
Navigating the retail landscape in 2025 and beyond
Outlook for the retail sector looks good for 2025 and growth opportunities abound — you just need the right partnerships to thrive. With over 40 years of retail experience, Pomeroy is your partner in all things retail. Our partner, Daitrix, can help apply pre-made AI models to your use cases, drastically cutting down on implementation time — from months to weeks.
Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more.
