The National Retail Federation (NRF) brought its global authority on retail to the heart of Southeast Asia with NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, held in Singapore for the second year running. The event served as a vital platform for regional leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge technologies, and map out the future of retail in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Event Overview

Hosted over three days, the show welcomed:

• Over 10,000 retail professionals

• 1,900+ brands and solution providers

• More than 300 exhibitors

• Representation from 30+ countries

Singapore was selected as the strategic hub for the Asia-Pacific edition due to its reputation as a regional powerhouse for innovation and commerce. The event underscored the importance of retail transformation in the digital era, with a strong focus on AI, customer-centricity, data integration, sustainability, and immersive in-store experiences.

Highlights & Key Themes

1. The Innovation Lab & Startup Zone
Startups and tech pioneers had a dedicated space to pitch bold ideas and showcase disruptive solutions in areas such as smart checkout, AI-powered analytics, robotics, and next-gen store experiences.

2. Global & Regional Keynotes
Speakers included top C-suite leaders from regional giants and international brands, sharing case studies on navigating omnichannel retail, scaling operations, and adapting to post-pandemic consumer behaviors.

3. Retail Technology Showcase
A large part of the exhibition floor was devoted to digital tools that empower retailers to future-proof their operations—ranging from cloud-based POS systems to hyper-personalization engines and real-time inventory management solutions.

4. Sustainability in Focus
Environmental responsibility emerged as a major topic, with brands demonstrating circular economy strategies, greener supply chains, and data-driven waste reduction initiatives.

5. Future of Commerce
Discussions highlighted how the convergence of physical and digital retail—phygital experiences—are driving loyalty, engagement, and sales. Topics like social commerce, AR integration, and AI chatbots for customer support were widely explored.

Why It Matters for Southeast Asia

With rising consumer demand, an increasingly digital-savvy population, and rapid urbanization, the Asia Pacific region stands at the forefront of global retail transformation. NRF APAC serves as a key event in helping regional stakeholders navigate this momentum, offering networking opportunities, business matchmaking, and exclusive access to global best practices.