Retail

As Gen Z and Millennials gain buying power, they are defining where and how they eat; one of the biggest concerns of these generations of buyers is rising prices. Consumers, especially consumers who’re just starting out, have felt the pinch of rising grocery costs as well as rising restaurant prices. Because of this, they’re on the hunt for more budget-conscious shopping and dining – which has the effect of turning grocery stores into gourmet hangouts.

As inflation and supply chain issues cause prices to increase, consumers are coping by shifting their shopping habits. For many shoppers, bargain shopping is a clear solution because it allows them to save money without having to cut their purchasing significantly.

Today’s changes to the retail environment go beyond simply adopting new technologies—it’s about reimagining the very role of the store. The store of the future is no longer just a place to buy goods; it has become a dynamic environment for discovery, engagement and connection. Brick and mortar stores serve as fulfillment centers, brand showcases and customer service hubs all at once.

In today’s evolving retail landscape, experiences are often a key differentiator for customers and employees alike. Nowhere is that truer than when it comes to accessibility; instead of treating inclusive design as something to comply with, retailers today have begun to understand accessibility as a core value of both customer and employee experiences.

Over the last few decades, self-checkout in stores has gone from being a novelty to the norm. Now, it’s a vital part of the shopping experience for many customers.

Many retailers look to NRF as a source of inspiration and information for the year ahead, and this year’s show was no different. From the expo floor to speaker sessions, NRF 2025 covered all the topics on retailers' minds, and this year, one of the hottest topics was change—from applying AI to meeting consumer demands and adopting new solutions.

As the holiday rush settles down and 2025 kicks off, retailers are looking ahead at the trends that will shape their business this year. Like many of our customers, our team spent three insightful days at the 2025 NRF Conference and Expo exploring the key factors shaping today’s retail landscape.

It’s January, which means it’s time for NRF: retail’s big show to kick off the year. Retailers from around the world will gather in New York City to discuss industry trends, discover emerging technology, and make connections.

In grocery retail, delivering a superior consumer experience has become a critical differentiator in an increasingly competitive market, especially as today’s consumers have more options than ever. Consumers have choices ranging from how they shop—from in-store shopping to mobile apps and online platforms—to where they shop, with more competition on loyalty, price and range.

Shrink. It’s a word that many retailers don’t like to hear or even think about too much. Also referred to as merchandise loss, this major challenge carries with it many secondary problems, from compromised operational efficiency to diminished revenues. Often cited in earnings reports as a cause for tighter margins and other unfavorable outcomes, shrink affects retailers everywhere: from small and mid-sized businesses to larger enterprise operations.

At the beginning of October, a team from NCR Voyix attended the 2024 NACS show in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was an exciting year for the annual show for convenience and fuel retailers, showcasing advancements and trends in five overarching categories: in-store merchandise, technology, facility operations, fuel equipment and services, and food service.