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With #NRF2026 in New York now wrapped, looking back, we clocked up the steps, the ideas, and lots of brilliant conversations with partners, clients and suppliers. Comfortable shoes were essential, but the real value came from the perspective gained once the noise settled, the stands came down, and we landed back in the UK.
We jumped into the virtual drive-through pitstop experience, which was great fun and surprisingly clever, and spent time hands-on with the latest headset solutions. It was genuinely valuable to see the technology in person rather than perfectly polished on a slide. Real hardware, real environments, and real questions always tell you more than a demo ever can.
“Events like this remind us that strong partnerships are built in conversations, not contracts.” – John
We also caught up with some excellent people from Ergonomic Solutions, BlueStar EMEA, and Zebra Technologies. The conversations were refreshingly honest, free of sales fluff, and grounded in reality. These were discussions about what works, not what simply looks impressive under exhibition lighting.
What really stood out during the week was not the technology itself, but how it was being discussed. There was noticeably less shouting about features and far more focus on how solutions performed in live environments at scale. Innovation was everywhere, but the most meaningful conversations centred on longevity, support models, and measurable business impact. That shift felt significant.
“Lots of innovation, but the best chats have been about longevity, support, and real business impact.” – Glen
There was no shortage of ideas throughout the event, but execution consistently stood out as the true differentiator. Innovation sparked interest, but implementation created value. Technology only became meaningful when it survived life outside the demo booth and performed reliably in the real world.
There was something genuinely irreplaceable about meeting partners face to face. The week in New York was about far more than technology. It was about relationships, shared challenges, and aligning on what clients truly needed.
International partnerships clearly mattered, especially when delivery, consistency, and accountability were on the line. Events like this reinforced the idea that strong partnerships were built through conversations, not contracts. Trust was earned by listening, being open about challenges, and understanding what it really took to deliver at scale.
It was a valuable week and a strong foundation for what came next. The conversations quickly separated innovation from implementation, and that distinction proved more important than ever.
Shows and events we are visiting this year, make sure you catch us across the UK and Europe this show season:
- Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) – Barcelona – Feb 2026
- EuroShop Düsseldorf – Feb 2026
- Retail Technology Show London – April 2026
- Hospitality 360 London – April 2026
