Heading to Shoptalk? From March 17-20, Mandalay Bay in Vegas will buzz with top industry pros and cool companies. It’s a big event, so planning is key. We’ll show you the five must-dos, from great networking to awesome sessions.
In 2026, Valentine’s Day will remain one of the most lucrative moments on the retail calendar, with U.S. spending projected at $27.5 billion and average consumer spend approaching $190. The brands winning this holiday are moving beyond blanket discounts and simple romance to design campaigns that guide shoppers, reflect modern relationships and create interaction. Here are the five trends shaping high-performing Valentine’s Day strategies in 2026 and how leading brands are putting them into practice. Think Beyond Couples and Traditional Romance About one-third of consumers now plan to buy gifts for friends, and celebrations like Galentine’s Day, self-love moments and even pet gifting
The CommerceNext Growth Show returns to New York City on June 23–24, bringing together 2,700+ retail and ecommerce leaders for two days of learning, connection and forward-looking conversation. Expect thoughtful content, meaningful connections and practical takeaways you can apply long after the event ends. Register now. At the Growth Show: Topics Defining the Next Era of Growth Over two days, you’ll hear directly from leaders across retail, DTC and commerce technology as we dive into the strategies shaping what’s next: Agentic AI: AI is evolving from automation to action. Learn what happens when intelligent systems proactively optimize pricing, assortments, marketing and customer experiences
Must-Attend Retail Conferences in 2026 The 2026 CommerceNext Growth Show is the must-attend event for retail leaders seeking unparalleled opportunities to learn, network and drive growth. But if you can’t make it, we’ve curated a list of other top retail conferences in 2026—handpicked to provide valuable insights that can help you achieve your business goals. As you plan your conference strategy for 2026, remember that these events are more than just learning opportunities—they’re platforms for professional growth. To maximize your experience, research each event thoroughly, set clear goals and prioritize networking. Don’t miss the chance to attend the 2026 CommerceNext Growth Show,
Cyber Five broke records, but now that we’re well into December, retail leaders are focused on what those early indicators actually mean for the remainder of the season, as well as the year ahead. Below is a consolidated perspective, integrating publicly sourced data from Adobe Analytics, the National Retail Federation (NRF), CNN, Forbes and other major outlets. 1. Record Participation Was a Confidence Signal, Not a Full-Season Forecast According to NRF, 202.9 million U.S. consumers participated in the five-day shopping period, the highest level since NRF began tracking the metric in 2017 and well above projections of 186.9 million. This early surge supported
AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity are quickly reshaping how shoppers discover, compare and even purchase products. In this CommerceNext webinar, Michael Kors, Maxaroma, EyeBuyDirect and iAdvize came together to explore what happens as commerce moves into AI environments and what this means for brand websites, storytelling, data and trust. What We Covered: The Rise of the “Shop for Me” Journey Why Brand Websites Still Matter in an AI-First World Reinventing Brand Storytelling for AI Assistants Designing Experiences for Both Humans and AI Agents Building Trust, Compliance and Measurement for AI Commerce Speakers: Ann Marie Ippoliti, SVP Digital Commerce, Consumer Marketing
The NRF Big Show 2026 is fast approaching, taking place January 11–13 in New York City. As emerging technologies, shifting consumer expectations and new economic realities reshape retail, NRF offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in what’s next. To help you navigate the packed agenda, we’ve highlighted five events CommerceNext believes will deliver the most strategic value for retail and ecommerce leaders. 1.Vendor in Partnership (VIP Awards) Taking place on Friday, January 9 at Gotham Hall, the Vendor in Partnership (VIP) Awards offer a celebratory kickoff to NRF week with a focus on what moves the industry forward: strong, collaborative partnerships. The VIP
At CommerceNext, we dive deep into brands excelling in retail’s most pressing innovations, and Nordstrom stands out as a leading example. The retailer continues to set a benchmark for omnichannel excellence; not simply by offering multiple channels, but by orchestrating them into a cohesive platform that drives customer loyalty and operational efficiency. From real-time inventory and mobile innovation to loyalty programs, Nordstrom’s approach illustrates how to unify physical and digital commerce for maximum impact. Strategic Pillars: The Foundation of Nordstrom’s Omnichannel Play Nordstrom defines its customer strategy around three core pillars: Compelling product Outstanding services & experiences Connected capabilities Nordstrom exemplifies how
TV can be a performance multiplier when planned, measured and created the right way. In this CommerceNext webinar, a panel of leaders from Cuyana, ThirdLove, U Beauty and Marketing Architects unpacked how TV (linear + streaming) can build brand while driving measurable sales, when to add it to your mix and how to prove its impact across DTC and marketplaces. What We Covered: Uniting Brand and Performance with a Balanced Media Mix Planning Across Linear + CTV for Efficient, Full-Funnel Impact Reaching Beyond the “Bull’s-Eye” Audience Designing Creative That Builds Equity and Converts Measurement That Proves Incrementality Holiday Outlook: Sentiment, Promos, Mobile and
At CommerceNext, we focus on the trends shaping the future of modern retail, bringing together the most innovative minds in digital marketing and ecommerce to explore the strategies driving growth. One standout development is the rapid rise of the secondary-market (resale) segment, a powerful new growth channel fueled by community engagement and omnichannel and digital innovation. We’ll examine how three platforms, eBay, The RealReal and Depop, are embracing key trends and deploying marketing and commerce innovations to stay ahead. eBay: Focusing on Community/Relationships As secondary retail marketplaces mature, community-building has emerged as one of the most powerful drivers of loyalty, trust and long-term growth—transforming
Connections Housing is the exclusive housing partner for CommerceNext and the only trusted source for booking accommodations for our event. Be cautious of third-party companies posing as official housing providers. These entities may attempt to mislead you into booking through them, often resulting in non-refundable deposits or invalid reservations that we cannot assist with.
To ensure a secure and seamless booking experience, always reserve your accommodations directly with Connections Housing. If you are approached by anyone claiming to offer housing for CommerceNext outside of Connections Housing, please report this immediately to commercenext@connectionshousing.com.
For assistance or questions, you can contact the Connections Housing team at commercenext@connectionshousing.com or by phone at 725.201.7302.
