NOverview
The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association that advocates for retailers and retail jobs to help retail thrive. It does this by offering programs and services to members, including policy lobbying, research, education, events, and communications that connect retailers with policymakers and industry insights. It differentiates itself by representing the entire retail sector across many sizes and types, giving it broad influence in policy, data, and networking. Its goal is to help the retail industry grow and succeed by shaping public policy and sharing knowledge about retail’s impact on communities and economies.
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About National Retail Federation
Industries
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
United States
Founded
1911
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What believers are saying
- October 2026 holiday forecast sees $1.013 trillion spending, reinforcing NRF’s market authority.
- Marissa Bostick’s October 2026 hiring strengthens NRF’s courtroom posture on interchange and counterfeits.
- NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe expanded in Paris, proving international event growth beyond Washington.
What critics are saying
- Card networks, banks, and merchants are entrenched adversaries; swipe-fee fights will drag through 2027.
- Retail crime, tariffs, and privacy disputes keep NRF exposed to member dissatisfaction if wins stall.
- NRF’s relevance collapses if retailers bypass trade associations and buy data, events, and advocacy elsewhere.
What makes National Retail Federation unique
- NRF’s Washington lobbying machine directly shapes retail policy, litigation, and industry standards.
- Its holiday surveys and forecasts set the national retail narrative every October and November.
- NRF now combines advocacy with events, fraud taxonomy, and research partnerships like LPRC.
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Affordability shapes winter holiday shopping, according to NRF holiday survey. For immediate release October 20, 2026 "With affordability top of mind, holiday shoppers are taking a thoughtful approach to spending, balancing value with preserving traditions that make the holiday season special." NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller WASHINGTON - More than half of holiday shoppers (56%) say the state of the economy will affect their holiday spending plans this year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. Among those consumers, 43% plan to shop for sales more often, 31% will comparison shop online more often and 29% will use coupons more often, among other strategies to make the season more affordable. "With affordability top of mind, holiday shoppers are taking a thoughtful approach to spending, balancing value with preserving traditions that make the holiday season special," NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller said. "Retailers understand consumer budget priorities and are responding with compelling products, promotions and shopping experiences that make it easier to find value while still capturing the holiday excitement." Consistent with recent years, nearly all U.S. adults (91%) plan to celebrate winter holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Forty-three percent of holiday shoppers plan to begin browsing and buying for the holiday season before November, in line with 42% last year. Among those starting early, 50% do so to spread out their holiday shopping budgets, while 37% say the prices and promotions are too good to pass up. Affordability is also top of mind for those waiting until November to start their shopping, with 46% of these shoppers saying they plan to wait until November and December because it is when they find the best prices and promotions. While many consumers begin their holiday shopping early, many hold off on making the bulk of their purchases until later in the season, with sales and promotions continuing to play an important role throughout the holiday season. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of consumers say they are likely to wait until Thanksgiving weekend to do most of their shopping, in line with 63% last year. "From getting an early start to waiting for major deals and promotions, consumers are choosing when to shop based on what works best for them," Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. "Even with a significant portion of shoppers beginning before November, many still plan to take advantage of deals and promotions during Thanksgiving weekend to make progress on their holiday shopping." Consumers continue to shop across a variety of destinations during the holidays. Online remains the leading shopping destination, with 53% planning to shop online. Other popular destinations include grocery stores (43%), discount stores (43%) and department stores (42%). Gift cards remain at the top of consumers' wish lists, with 47% saying they would like to receive them this holiday season, followed by clothing (44%), books and other media (25%) and personal care or beauty items (24%). NRF recently released its 2026 holiday forecast, anticipating that holiday spending during November and December will grow 4.2% over 2025 totaling $1.013 trillion. The survey asked 8,094 adult consumers about their holiday shopping plans. It was conducted Oct. 1 - 7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points. As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF provides data on consumer behavior and spending for key periods such as holidays throughout the year. About NRF The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs - 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com About Prosper Insights & Analytics Prosper Insights & Analytics helps organizations identify market change before it becomes visible in transactions, revenues, or economic reports. For more than 20 years, Prosper has measured the drivers of future consumer behavior - including intentions, expectations, confidence, emotions, and purchase plans - to generate predictive demand signals for financial services, retail, technology, and marketing organizations. www.ProsperInsights.com Press Contacts
NRF Europe makes Paris the European hub for global and technological retail. 3 hours ago Automated translation Read the original in French From visitor profiles to the solutions on display, NRF Retail's Big Show Europe aims to position the Parisian trade show within a global retail ecosystem, while asserting its unique European identity and technological focus. The NRF Retail's Big Show Europe trade show is running until Thursday, September 17 at Porte de Versailles. It is the result of a partnership between the National Retail Federation (NRF), the American retail trade association, and Comexposium, the former organiser of Paris Retail Week. For its second edition, FashionUnited investigated whether this is a simple rebranding exercise or a genuine strategic transformation. Annabelle Serres, events director for Siec and NRF Retail's Big Show Europe at Comexposium, acknowledged in an interview with FashionUnited that the new trade show was built on the foundation of Paris Retail Week's exhibitors and visitors. She rejects the idea of a simple name change, however. "It's not a rebranding; it's an event launch". Internationalisation: NRF expands visitor base beyond Europe. NRF Europe aims to be the European version of a global platform, which already takes place in New York and Singapore. The director states that the visitorship of NRF Retail's Big Show Europe is now 50 percent French and 50 percent international, with over 60 countries represented in total, for approximately 300 exhibitors. Among the international attendees, she mentions the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany. There are also visitors from America, Asia, South America, and particularly Brazil. "Brazilian brands want to establish themselves in Europe," she specified. Paris is not intended to be a copy of New York, however. "My main objective is to establish the NRF brand in Europe and therefore adopt the New York codes," explained Annabelle Serres. "This includes the Main Theater, dedicated to major conferences; the Exhibitors Big Ideas, designed more like workshops where companies present concrete case studies; and the Innovator Showcase, which brings together companies selected for their innovations." Global technology but local deployment. The exhibitors are primarily solution providers for retailers, who make up the trade show's visitors. The solutions presented must be adapted to the specific characteristics of each market. In Paris, exhibitor stands offer technologies compatible with the European market. IT systems, payment, security and data management are not necessarily transferable as-is from one continent to another. Above all, this edition places AI at the centre of its activities. The theme "The Next Now" signifies the shift from foresight to deployment. The question is no longer what AI will enable, but how to implement it in business. "This is the most significant shift because it affects all areas of retail," commented Annabelle Serres. "Every time we address a topic, AI is behind it: supply chain; inventory; production; content generation; marketing; communication, and so on." Exhibitors embody the technological positioning. The American company Cartesian, which develops a solution for locating products equipped with RFID chips in stores, is presenting its innovation in Europe for the first time after participating in NRF New York. "We saw that NRF was coming to Paris, so we came for this trade show," shared chief operating officer Matthew Habel, who plans to participate in NRF New York in early 2027 and is considering a return to Paris. Its solution is deployed in nearly 1,000 stores and is already present in several European markets, including France, Spain, the UK, Poland and Germany. The Barcelona-based company Artiso offers fashion brands an AI platform covering various stages: inspiration and design; product variations; technical elements; styling; and campaign imagery. The company embodies the growing importance of AI in the trade show's offerings and, by extension, in the creative process. The platform is customised according to each brand's identity, archives, season and specific codes. The founders present at the stand, Sarah Iglesias Hiller and Lucas Pastur Romay, explained that the project stemmed from their experience at Mango, where they had been working on AI-related transformation since 2022. Could AI make a good artistic director? The question is worth asking. Comexposium NRF Retail's Big Show Europe Trade show
NRF appoints former federal prosecutor Marissa Bostick as general counsel. The Amazon and Motion Picture Association veteran takes over the trade body's legal function as retailers face pressure on tariffs, organised retail crime and payment fees. 4 hours ago The National Retail Federation has hired attorney Marissa Bostick as senior vice president and general counsel, bringing in a former federal prosecutor with a background in brand protection and counterfeit enforcement to run the trade association's legal operation. Bostick will advise NRF president and chief executive Matthew Shay and the board on legal, regulatory and reputational risk. Her brief covers litigation, governance, antitrust compliance, tax-exempt and political-law matters, intellectual property, contracting, privacy and cybersecurity, alongside management of the in-house legal team. Shay said: "Marissa's diverse experience as a prosecutor and litigator in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, combined with her work representing a global retail and technology company, makes her an ideal choice for this role. Her insights and perspective will be indispensable as we work to achieve NRF's policy and legal goals on behalf of our members." Bostick joins from Sideman & Bancroft, where she was the inaugural partner and head of the firm's Washington, DC office. Before that she was global head of litigation at the Motion Picture Association of America and a founding member of Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit, the enforcement team the platform set up to pursue sellers of fake goods. She served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, is a Fulbright Scholar, and began her career at O'Melveny & Myers in New York after taking her JD at Columbia Law School. "NRF has long been the leading voice for retail on Capitol Hill and in courts across the country," Bostick said. "Retail touches every community large and small, and I look forward to bringing my experience in litigation, brand protection and policy to help NRF's members navigate an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape." The appointment gives the association a legal chief with counterfeit and IP enforcement experience at a point when its stated policy priorities include organised retail crime, tariffs and card interchange fees. NRF litigates directly as well as lobbying, filing suits of its own, joining actions brought by member companies and other trade groups, and submitting amicus briefs in cases affecting the industry. The federation says retail is the largest private-sector employer in the United States, contributing 5.3 trillion dollars to annual GDP and supporting 55 million jobs, or more than one in four.
Loss Prevention Research Council and National Retail Federation announce strategic partnership to advance research, innovation, and industry advocacy. Strategic partnership unites the retail industry's leading research organization and leading trade association to advance evidence-based research, innovation, and collaboration. GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the National Retail Federation (NRF), strengthening collaboration between two of the retail industry's leading organizations dedicated to advancing safety, security, and asset protection. The agreement establishes a long-term strategic relationship centered on delivering industry-leading research, advocacy, and educational engagement that supports retailers as they navigate the evolving challenges facing today's retail environment. Through this collaboration, LPRC and NRF will work together to connect research with real-world applications while creating new opportunities for industry leaders to share knowledge, develop innovative solutions, and strengthen the retail community. As part of the partnership, both organizations will expand collaboration across advisory committees, research initiatives, conferences, and educational programming. The agreement provides reciprocal participation in key leadership and research committees, allowing each organization to contribute expertise and help shape future industry priorities. It also creates opportunities for greater collaboration across flagship events, including NRF PROTECT, LPRC IMPACT, and other specialized LPRC summits. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to use research, collaboration, and innovation to support the retail industry," said Dr. Read Hayes, Founder and Executive Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council. "Bringing together NRF's industry leadership with LPRC's research capabilities, helps retailers make more informed decisions, accelerate the adoption of data-informed strategies, and continue creating safer places for employees, customers, and communities." The partnership reinforces both organizations' dedication to ensuring retailers have access to the latest insights, emerging technologies, and collaborative expertise needed to address today's most pressing enterprise security risk and loss prevention challenges. Together, LPRC and NRF will continue exploring opportunities for joint research, educational content, conference programming, and industry engagement designed to strengthen the retail asset protection profession. "This agreement is about more than shared events - it's about creating a stronger connection between research, advocacy, and industry action," said David Johnston, Vice President, Asset Protection & Retail Operations. "Working together, NRF and LPRC will help provide retailers with greater access to research-driven insights, collaborative discussions, and innovative thinking that support the future of retail safety and security." This partnership represents a shared investment in the future of retail by bringing together two organizations committed to helping the industry lead through collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. About the Loss Prevention Research Council The Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) is the retail industry's leading research and collaboration organization dedicated to reducing theft, fraud, violence, and operational risk through evidence-based solutions. LPRC brings together retailers, solution providers, manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, and academic researchers to develop, test, and scale innovative strategies that improve safety, protect assets, and enhance business performance. Through applied research, field studies, labs, working groups, and industry events, LPRC helps organizations make smarter decisions grounded in measurable results. About National Retail Federation (NRF) The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs - 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. Media Contact Diego Rodriguez Marketing Manager Loss Prevention Research Council [email protected] 352-222-8202 Lpresearch.org Will Granados Director, Media Relations National Retail Federation [email protected] 202-626-8159 nrf.com
American Eagle's Schottenstein to receive NRF's Visionary award. "Having spent my entire life in retail, this industry has shaped who I am, and I'm incredibly proud of all we have achieved together." August 3, 2026. 3:34 PM WASHINGTON - The National Retail Federation said Monday it will honor Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman and CEO of American Eagle Outfitters, with its Visionary award at the 12th annual NRF Foundation Honors on January 10, 2027, in New York City. The award recognizes Schottenstein's role in transforming American Eagle from a single-brand chain into a multi-brand company with more than $5 billion in revenue. "Jay Schottenstein's leadership has been instrumental in building AEO into the influential, multi-brand powerhouse it is today," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "His vision has guided AEO through decades of growth and change, helping to make the retailer a leader in denim, intimates and the specialty apparel space." Under his leadership, American Eagle has held its position as a top destination for jeans while Aerie, the company's intimates and lifestyle brand, has grown rapidly. Schottenstein has also directed the company's philanthropic efforts, including the AE Foundation, the Aerie Real Foundation and the AEO Better World Foundation, which carries a $10 million endowment. "It is a profound honor to be recognized as a NRF Visionary, which is a testament to the strength and spirit of AEO and our associates," Schottenstein said in a statement. "Having spent my entire life in retail, this industry has shaped who I am, and I'm incredibly proud of all we have achieved together." He noted the company is preparing to mark its 50th anniversary in 2027. Beyond American Eagle, Schottenstein serves as chairman and CEO of SB360 Capital Partners and executive chairman of Designer Brands Inc., where he was CEO from 2005 to 2009. He also chairs Schottenstein Property Group and Schottenstein Stores Corp., the company his grandfather founded more than a century ago. Schottenstein will join Shay for a fireside chat on January 11 at NRF 2027: Retail's Big Show. He joins a list of past Visionary award recipients that includes Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz, Tommy Hilfiger founder Tommy Hilfiger, DICK'S Sporting Goods Executive Chairman Ed Stack, Lowe's Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison, Target Executive Chairman Brian Cornell, former Kohl's CEO Michelle Gass, Nike Executive Chairman Mark Parker, former Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon, and former Levi Strauss & Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh. The NRF Foundation Honors, held annually since 2015, raises money for the NRF Foundation's work promoting retail careers and providing career-readiness resources, and includes the presentation of the foundation's undergraduate scholarships.
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About National Retail Federation
Industries
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
United States
Founded
1911
There are no jobs for National Retail Federation right now.
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today
We update National Retail Federation's jobs every few hours, so check again soon!Browse all jobs