Top retail trends for 2025: Insights from NRF

As the holiday rush settles down and 2025 kicks off, retailers are looking ahead at the trends that will shape their businesses this year.  Like many of our customers, our team spent three insightful days at the 2025 NRF Conference and Expo exploring the key factors shaping today’s retail landscape.  

If you missed NRF this year, or if you’re looking for a recap of the most interesting and exciting things our team heard, saw and experienced at the show, here's what we predict will be on retailers’ minds in the coming months.

1. Leveraging data for a true omnichannel experience

Modern technology provides retailers with access to more customer data than ever. However, knowing the best ways to collect and apply data effectively remains a challenge. From customer shopping preferences to inventory management and accuracy, we predict that retailers who work toward making data-driven decisions will see big returns on their efforts in 2025.  

2. Investing in customer experiences

Customers have more choices than ever, so the shopping experience is increasingly becoming a differentiator for retail brands. Retailers are curious about building robust loyalty systems, offering multiple touchpoints for checkout and delivery and finding innovative ways to keep their customers coming back time and time again.  

3. Escaping the legacy trap

As edge technology advances, retailers are eager to shed outdated solutions and future-proof their businesses. Whether that’s investing in new hardware or committing to a new tech stack, retailers want solutions that will take their stores into the future, not weigh them down.  

4. Understanding AI

Though it still sounds like science fiction, Artificial Intelligence is becoming integral to daily retail operations. Retailers are exploring AI for data insights, automating tasks, and enhancing customer interactions.
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NCR Voyix at NRF

At our booth in the Expo Hall, the focus was on transforming commerce. As retailers work toward store transformation on many different levels, our team presented four outcome-based stations to highlight what our solutions can help them accomplish:

• Own the experience with platform-driven growth  

• Run your stores like your digital channels  

• Where operational efficiency meets unparalleled consumer experience  

• Innovation in motion. Your store evolving.

Each station highlighted what’s possible with the NCR Voyix next-generation commerce platform, giving visitors the opportunity to understand the practical benefits of investing in our solutions. Visitors to our booth also had the chance to try out a kiosk ordering experience firsthand by grabbing a cup of coffee via our Aloha Kiosk powered by GRUBBRR.  

Invest in operational excellence in 2025

Whether you’re curious about new technology or focused on growing your business, NCR Voyix is here to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule a conversation with one of our representatives.

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