NRF Retail's Big Show Europe 2026 in Paris, France just got a serious upgrade - here's what's new
Paris was already circled on every retail exec's calendar. Now it's underlined, twice.
Just weeks after the first wave of announcements sent ripples through the industry, NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Europe has dropped a fresh round of confirmations - and this one comes with new faces on stage, a first ever awards night, and an after-party that turns three days of hard strategy into something you'll actually want to stay for.
Set for 15th–17th September 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, under the banner The Next Now, the show isn't just adding names to a list. It's raising the stakes on what a European retail event can be. Here's everything that's changed since the first announcement.
The Keynote Stage Gets Two Sharp New Additions
The CEOs Only keynote programme - already the ticket's biggest draw - just got sharper. Joining the confirmed lineup:
• Tomasz Blicharski, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Zabka Group, tackling Licencing, IP and new business models
• Joe Shoemaker, Head of Digital at Snipes, diving into Agentic AI and customer services
They join an already formidable roster - Pacsun's Brieane Olsen, FEVAD's Marc Lolivier, Westwing's Andreas Hoerning and newly appointed AWWG CEO Laura Fernandez - all unpacking the five pillars reshaping European retail: agentic AI, demand forecasting, community and influence, licensing and IP, and retail media. And organisers are clear: this list isn't done growing. Big names are being locked in on a rolling basis, right up to showtime.
The Case Study Line-Up Just Got a Serious Glow-Up
Breakout sessions are where strategy meets shopfloor - and the retailer roster behind them has expanded with some heavyweight names: Lego Group, MediaMarktSaturn, Danone, Joe & The Juice and Dalben Group now join H&M, Lush, Desigual, Pets At Home, KFC, Mango, Landmark Group, Kingfisher and Primark on the case study circuit. It's a lineup that spans fashion, toys, food and electronics - proof that “The Next Now” isn't a niche conversation.
Big Ideas, Bigger Names
The Exhibitor Big Ideas sessions - where solution providers prove their tech in front of the retailers actually using it - now come with a serious name drop: Decathlon, Kiabi, M&S Food, SMCP, C&A, Sandro and Marionnaud are among the retail clients confirmed to share the stage through live demos and real-world results. The sessions now sit alongside the Startup Hub and the 15-strong House of Innovation Pavilion, putting emerging disruptors and established giants in the same spotlight.
Two Reasons to Stay Past 5:30pm
This is where the update gets genuinely new. NRF Europe 2026 has just confirmed:
• Retail's Big Show Awards, honouring nine standout, genuinely groundbreaking retail solutions - a first for the European edition.
• Retail's Big Show After Party, running 5:30pm–11pm on 16th September. Because three days of dealmaking deserve one proper night off the clock.
Add in the newly rebranded Retail Store Tours and retailer exclusive guided expo tours, and the networking programme now looks less like a schedule filler and more like a reason to book the whole three days.
The Bottom Line
The first announcement made the case for showing up. This one makes the case for not missing a minute of it - new keynotes, an expanded case study bench, a bigger stage for exhibitors, and, for the first time, an awards night and a party to close it out.
Spots are moving. Secure your pass now.
