E438 - Our NRF 2026 Recap

Fresh from the Javits Center, Phillip, Brian, and Alicia unpack NRF 2026's dominant themes, from AI's omnipresence to its curiously low adoption among the very professionals championing it. The conversation moves beyond technology theater to explore what truly drives commerce: cultural connection, intentional brand heritage, and multiplayer engagement that treats customers as collaborators rather than data points.

2026 Brought Us An AI Wake-Up Call

Key Takeaways:

AI saturation at NRF contrasts sharply with minimal executive adoptionSuccessful AI integration preserves brand heritage rather than replacing itMultiplayer brand engagement becomes reality through tools like Taco Bell's Fan...