In association with NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific
Imagine walking down a supermarket aisle and an app on your phone or a physical shopping cart automatically reminds you to pick up a packet of milk or a set or paper towels that you had saved in a shopping list.
And when you shop online, a brand would better understand you based on your previous shopping habits and where you are from – say, Asia-Pacific – and recommend a set of clothing or pair of shoes that you instantly know will fit you. In other words, an intelligent personal shopper.
While these concepts may not seem new, retail technologies are making a growing impact as consumers seek more rewarding and meaningful experiences in physical stores, at online outlets, and across various channels.
This means retailers not only have to provide great value but also connect with customers on a personal level to to make them return for more.
This is where innovations in field of retail technology make a difference. In the years ahead, they will help link a physical retail store to personal preferences stored in a digital app. These technologies would also power AI-based chatbots that help solve problems for customers calling, say, for a refund or exchange.
Such retail innovations and more will be on show at the Asia-Pacific edition of the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show from June 3 to 5 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
NRF 2025 APAC brings together retail industry leaders from across the region to collaborate in one of the world’s fastest growing markets. Themed Retail Unlimited, it will spotlight the limitless possibilities in retail, from enhanced customer experiences to digital transformation strategies.
Retail professionals can gain inspiration from top retail leaders over a three-day conference and an all-encompassing retail expo featuring the latest retail solutions. They can also experience the latest innovations and breakthrough technologies available in the market.
After a sold-out show last year, this year’s NRF 2025 APAC is set to return with twice the capacity and feature more than 1,900 brands and 10,000 delegates. The expo is expected to showcase 300 exhibitors and dozens of sessions and new activities.
One new feature is the NRF CEO Club, which will offer an exclusive platform for retail leaders to engage in high-level discussions and explore transformative opportunities shaping the future of retail in Asia-Pacific.
Limited to only enterprise-level retail CEOs, the NRF CEO Club stands as the most extensive invite-only initiative designed to empower some 100 top executives and business leaders, through a suite of bespoke services such as high-level business matching and enabling a dedicated platform for strategic discussions.
The club fosters cross-border and cross-sector collaborations for retail leaders to address pressing challenges and uncover new opportunities at a transformative level.
“The NRF CEO Club is more than just an exclusive gathering – it’s a strategic platform designed to inspire meaningful connections, foster cross-border collaboration, and spark innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the retail industry today,” said David Mann, Chief Economist for APAC at Mastercard, and an NRF 2025 APAC advisory board member.
“By bringing together influential leaders from diverse regional markets across APAC, we are pleased to be part of a unique network where ideas can flourish, partnerships can deepen, and transformative opportunities can emerge,” he added.
This year’s conference themes include a broad range, from understanding young Gen Z shoppers to globalising sustainability standards. Japan’s FamilyMart and India’s Myntra are among the new conference speakers.
Shin Odake, senior managing executive officer and chief supply chain officer at FamilyMart, who will be delivering a keynote address, said: “At FamilyMart, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to elevate our customer experiences.”
“We look forward to exchanging insights and collaborating with industry peers to expand our brand regionally,” he added.
In terms of technology, visitors can expect to learn about investments in retail space innovation and online shopping journeys to address the hybrid consumer, who shops both online and in physical shops.
In another track, NRF 2025 APAC attendees can learn to leverage the customer information they have on hand, by optimising their data and upgrading legacy systems for growth.
For those who want a more hands-on experience, the NRF APAC Innovators Showcase will present an exclusive exhibition of the top 30 innovative technology companies transforming retail in and around the region. They include:
- ChatLabs, which will showcase a AI-powered solution that delivers hyper-personalised, real-time engagement for global brands like Louis Vuitton and Samsung to maximise customer engagement, retention, and return on ad spend (ROAS).
- Tradeverifyd, which has created an agentic AI-powered supply chain monitoring solution that helps enterprises proactively detect risks, ensure transparency, and build resilient networks.
For the latest retail trends and innovations, visit the NRF 2025 APAC show in Singapore on June 3-5, 2025. More details on its website here.
