Helen Vaid

After two days at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in NYC, one thing is clear: Retail isn’t debating what’s next anymore — leaders are actively rewiring how companies operate, decide, and lead. Across keynotes and panels, from legacy giants to founder-led disruptors, a few themes kept surfacing again and again 👇 ⚡ AI is no longer a technology conversation — it’s a leadership one Sundar Pichai (Google) and John Furner (Walmart) made it clear: AI and agentic commerce aren’t experiments. They’re becoming the connective tissue between discovery, decision, and fulfillment. The real differentiator isn’t the model — it’s whether leadership teams can: - Make decisions faster - Redesign roles and workflows - Trust humans + machines to work together ⚙️ Agentic commerce is already reshaping demand, not “someday” From Google to Shopify-led ecosystems, leaders shared real signals — not hype. Orders coming from AI-native interfaces are growing exponentially, not incrementally. The implication for boards and CEOs: the cost of waiting is now higher than the cost of learning in public. 🧭 Culture has become a competitive advantage (again) Ed Stack (Dick’s Sporting Goods) reminded the room that strategy fails without the right culture. His emphasis on humility, team-first leadership, and building environments where people can win together — not compete internally — was one of the most grounded leadership moments of the show. Similarly, Mary Beth Laughton (REI) reinforced that trust, values, and clarity of purpose aren’t “nice to haves” — they’re how you scale sustainably in uncertain times. 🔥 Focus beats scale — discipline is the new growth skill Michael Rubin (Fanatics) and other founder-CEOs were refreshingly consistent: - Don’t chase every opportunity - Be famous for one thing you do better than anyone else - Build ecosystems, not just channels - In a world of endless options, restraint is leadership. 💡 The customer hasn’t gotten simpler — leadership has to get better Whether it was Gen Z/Alpha discussions, DTC trailblazers, or global brands, the takeaway was the same: - Consumers expect personalization, speed, and authenticity - But they also expect trust and consistency - Meeting those expectations now requires sharper org design, clearer decision rights, and leaders comfortable navigating ambiguity. 👥 The talent bar is quietly being reset Across sessions, a new leadership profile emerged: - Customer-obsessed - AI-literate (not AI-dependent) - Comfortable saying “not now” - Able to scale culture, not just revenue This isn’t about replacing people — it’s about evolving what great leadership looks like in retail. 💡 What excites you most about how retail leadership is evolving right now? #NRF2026 #RetailLeadership #FutureOfRetail #AIinRetail #AgenticCommerce #CustomerExperience #RetailTransformation

101

10 Comments

Walmart continues to show what retail adaptability looks like at scale. Their latest AI tools for associates don’t just make operations more efficient—they simplify, guide, and free up time for what matters most: the customer. By combining generative AI with AR and RFID, they’re showing how real-time intelligence can enhance decision-making from the shelf to the backroom. It’s a move that echoes the principles of The Agile Code—adaptability, experimentation, and team empowerment. 💡 What’s your “escape fire”? How are you redeploying time saved through technology? #TheAgileCode #RetailInnovation #AIinRetail #Walmart #AgilityInAction https://lnkd.in/eGQwTKsd

14

6 Comments

Why retail leaders can’t afford to misread this moment: the U.S. economy is growing, but the consumer is splitting into two different species By Carsten KrauseJanuary 13, 2026 At NRF, the economist panel didn’t sugarcoat it. Mark Mathews set the tone with the kind of line that sounds casual… until you realize it’s a warning: “What a year.” That wasn’t nostalgia. That was triage. Because 2025 delivered a rare combination: policy shocks that actually moved the needle, an AI capex surge that’s starting to resemble a new industrial cycle, and a consumer who keeps spending while loudly insisting the economy is terrible. #nrf #NRF2026 https://lnkd.in/exFYiD-s

1

Bright Future for Bricks & Mortar Stores. Great piece covering Advise by John Walshe @ Retail Media Group, and highlighting: ·      Vast Majority of Grocery Sales still happen in Brick & Mortar Stores (80% plus) ·      CPG/ FMCG manufacturers are drowning in data and leaving enormous volumes and value on the shop floor, on the shelf, in the storeroom, with the competition, wasted… take your pick! ·      When manufacturers don’t engage with data they already have access to, they can’t automate processes, increase margins, increase efficiencies, reduce costs & retail talent. ·      Almost forgot… Manufacturers have to embrace AI, where it makes sense, like everyone else… 😊 See full article here: https://lnkd.in/erNY7bnH #cpganalytics #drowningindata #ecrireland #catmanglobal

36

🚀 Big news just dropped: Walmart and OpenAI are joining forces — and it’s about to redefine how we shop, work, and learn. Yesterday, we announced a bold new partnership that brings the power of ChatGPT + AI into the heart of retail. Together, we’re enabling customers to browse, chat, and buy — all in one seamless experience. But this isn’t just about convenience for shoppers. It’s about empowering people. We’re also rolling out AI training and certification for Walmart associates via Walmart Academy — giving our teams a real the tools and opportunities for continued learning. Here’s how I see it: 💡 From reactive to proactive — We’re moving shopping into natural, AI-powered conversation. 📚 Upskilling at scale — Investment in people is at the core. This is about creating opportunity for our associates to grow, learn, and lead with AI. 🌍 The start of something bigger — What we launch now will shape expectations for how retail, tech, and human potential come together. I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead! Daniel Danker Suresh Kumar #AI #RetailInnovation #FutureOfWork

134

3 Comments

In Harvard Business Review, my colleagues Mikey Vu, Maureen Burns, and Aaron Cheris explore how AI-powered shopping agents are reshaping the retail landscape: https://bit.ly/3XaQ4Xo

7

The company has identified more than 35 internal AI use cases spanning supply chain, merchandising, marketing and call centers, as well as customer-facing and omnichannel functions https://lnkd.in/eYcKFeab Macy’s Media Network grew revenue 12.5% in Q4. #retail #Pymnts #AI PYMNTS

9

"The transition from traditional web or app search to agent-led commerce represents the next great evolution in retail. We aren't just watching the shift, we are driving it,” said John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S. and incoming President and CEO of Walmart Inc. “We want to help customers get what they need and want, when and where they want it. Partnering with Google to bring the Walmart experience directly into Gemini is another step toward creating seamless shopping experiences for customers and members that are more intuitive and personal than ever before." https://lnkd.in/gMdbsa-K

2

Black Friday is always evolving, and this year’s trends reflect both shifting consumer sentiment and the growing role of AI in the retail experience. 28% of consumers say they haven’t used AI in their shopping yet but plan to during the upcoming sales events - and with how rapidly retailers are adopting these tools, many shoppers may not even realize AI is already shaping their experience. From price comparisons to personalization, AI is quickly becoming part of how customers shop. Curious to see how this plays out over the upcoming holiday weekend. https://lnkd.in/eekqQXHm

21

1 Comment