Ask anyone in retail about biggest retail shows of the year, and without a doubt the National Retail Federation’s Big Show will come up. Last year, more than 33,000 retailers descended on NYC for the annual conference.
With so many attendees it can be hard to know where and with whom to spend your time. So using NRF’s suggestions and adding a few of our own, we created a master list of movers and shakers at this year’s 2016 Big Show. Here’s the official list, broken down by category, and linked to their social media, of who to know at NRF’s 2016 Big Show.
Disruptors – Founders and companies changing the retail paradigm.
Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder, Stella & Dot Family Brands
Katrina Lake, CEO and founder, Stitch Fix
Kyle Nel, executive director, Lowe’s Innovation Labs, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO, GoldieBlox
Dreamers – Innovators pushing the retail industry forward.
Moziah Bridges, founder and CEO, Mo’s Bows
Matthew Corrin, founder and CEO, Freshii
Danielle DiFerdinando, founder and creative director, Danielle Nicole
Alexis Ringwald, co-founder and CEO, LearnUp
Givers – Philanthropists who proudly give back to their industry and communities.
Tory Burch, chairman and co-CEO, Tory Burch LLC, founder, Tory Burch Foundation
Bea Perez, vice president and chief sustainability officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target
Influencers – Socialites helping connect peers and shape the future of retail.
Courtney Reagan, retail reporter, CNBC
Al Sambar, managing partner, retail and consumer group, Kurt Salmon
Dana Telsey, CEO and chief research officer, Telsey Advisory Group
The Honorable Mark R. Warner, United States Senator for Virginia
Power Players – Industry veterans familiar with success in retail.
Mary Dillon, CEO, Ulta Beauty
Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO, Restoration Hardware
Michelle Gass, chief merchandising and customer officer, Kohl’s
James Rhee, executive chairman and CEO, Ashley Stewart
Stormy Simon, president, Overstock.com
(let us know if there are others you’d add to this list.)
2016 is set to be a big year for retail.
Not only are newcomers like Stitch Fix CEO, Katrina Lake disrupting retail with new business models, but seasoned brick and mortar retailers like Macy’s are turning to retail technology like smart beacons, interactive dressing rooms, and a variety of mobile payment options for high-touch digital shopping experiences.
In our highly scientific Twitter poll on retail technology, we found that respondents are most excited about mobile payments in 2016.
What retail technology trend are you most excited about in 2016?
— Domo (@Domotalk) January 7, 2016
To say that Domo is excited about the future of retail technology would be an understatement. If you get tired of schmoozing, visit the Domo booth (#801 & MR #101) and see how retailers like Stance, Ogio, and Bohme Boutique transformed their retail operations with the world’s first business management platform.