NRF 2026 Europe Show Agenda Revealed

NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe is set to return to Paris from 15 to 17 September 2026, bringing together more than 12,000 attendees from over 60 countries. The event, held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, runs from 9am to 5:30pm on September 15 and 16, with the final day ending at 4pm on 17 September.

Operating under the theme “The Next Now,” the show positions Europe not merely as an adapter of global trends, but as a pacesetter for five pillars of transformation. Those pillars are agentic AI and customer services, demand forecasting and personalisation, creating community and partnering with influencers, and licensing, IP and new business models.

The fifth pillar is not specified in the event materials.

The three-day conference features 4,200 brands, 525 exhibitors, and 200 speakers, with more than 100 exclusive sessions. It is described as the premier cross-border platform where professionals from 60 international markets will converge through a distinct European lens.

Keynote lineup includes Currys and Pacsun CEOs

The highlight of the agenda is an exclusive keynote program featuring CEOs from across the global retail industry. Confirmed C-suite speakers include Currys CEO Alex Baldock, whose pillar is agentic AI and customer services; Pacsun CEO Brieane Olsen, focusing on creating community and partnering with influencers; and FEVAD General Delegate Marc Lolivier, also on agentic AI and customer services.

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Westwing CEO Andreas Hoerning will speak on creating community and partnering with influencers, while recently appointed AWWG CEO Laura Fernandez covers licensing, IP and new business models.

More names are expected to be confirmed.

The event agenda also includes breakout sessions with practical case studies from retailers including H&M, Lush, Pets at Home, KFC, L’Occitane en Provence, Granado, Aroma Zone, Mango, Landmark Group, Desigual, Kingfisher, Pepco, Primark, and The Vitamin Shop.

Compared to previous NRF events in New York, which tend to focus heavily on North American market trends, the European edition appears to place more emphasis on cross-border regulatory challenges and the specific ways European retailers are adapting to AI and sustainability mandates. The choice of Paris as a permanent venue — rather than rotating cities — suggests a deliberate effort to build a consistent institutional presence for European retail policy discussions.

Expo floor and networking programs

The Expo showcases more than 500 exhibitors presenting solutions in CRM, data analytics, supply chain tech, and sustainable store designs. Special areas include the Startup Hub, which spotlights the newest companies in retail, while the House of Innovation Pavilion curates 15 standout startups. The Innovators Showcase offers an immersive experience highlighting AI, facial recognition, and robotics.

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The Exhibitor Big Ideas sessions allow solution providers and their retail clients to share how their products are changing retail operations through live demos and real-world case studies.

NRF 2026 Europe will feature two key networking programs.

NRF Europe In-Store Tours offer a curated look at Paris’ most forward-thinking retail environments. Guided Expo Tours, each focused on a distinct topic area, explore tech and innovative solutions from European players on the Expo floor.

Tickets will be available soon.