NRF 2025: Artificial Intelligence and Transparency Steal the Show
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The largest retail conference in the world, NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, just wrapped up in New York City. If you weren’t one of the 40,000 attendees who attended, not to worry: we’ve gathered the key takeaways for you to help improve your supply chain performance over the coming year.
Our Inspectorio team engaged with retailers, brands, and supply chain leaders eager to explore how AI, automation, and digital transformation are driving responsible sourcing, supply chain visibility, and operational resilience. From both the conversations we were having, and the topics from speakers, the message was crystal clear—AI is the future, but companies need the right tools and strategies to implement it effectively.
According to John Furner, President & CEO of Walmart U.S., AI is already transforming retail, enhancing supply chain resilience, improving customer engagement, and driving operational efficiency. So, what comes next? Here is a brief overview of the insights from NRF, but you can download our guide here for more in-depth analysis.
The session ”Supply Chain 2025: Building Resilience for the Next Era” emphasized the growing need for full supply chain visibility, as regulations and consumer expectations push companies to go beyond direct suppliers. Some key thoughts from the session included:
Traceability remains a major challenge—companies need AI-powered solutions for document validation, data accuracy, and multilingual compliance processing.
Traceability isn’t a compliance tool, but a means of achieving transparency across operations that service multiple purposes.
We’ve been hearing for the past year how companies are taking a more broad approach to traceability and transparency, moving beyond compliance to proactively improve their risk outlook and overall operations. Even measuring sustainability metrics in the supply chain requires a certain level of supply chain mapping. In 2025 expect this trend to continue as companies put in place the programs they need to stay ahead of compliance and market expectations.
2. AI is Reshaping Global Sourcing & Decision-Making
Artificial intelligence is actively transforming sourcing strategies, risk management, and supplier performance. In a session featuring Sean Barbour (Macy’s), Shaun Bunch (Northern Tool & Equipment), and Abir Thakurta (Haverty’s), experts highlighted how automation and AI improve demand forecasting, streamline inventory management, and enhance supply chain efficiency. These technologies are key to building resilient and transparent supply chains, reducing lead times, and advancing sustainability initiatives.
Retailers are moving from static supply chains to agile, AI-driven networks that adapt in real time to global events, performance scores, and risk factors. Dynamic supply chains are more resilient, and the uncertain global environment makes this an increasingly important priority for companies.
Diversifying sourcing hubs reduces reliance on single markets and mitigates geopolitical risks.
AI-driven digital twins, as highlighted by NVIDIA, optimize supply chain modelling, allowing simulations before execution.
AI-powered automation improves throughput, forecasting, and risk mitigation.
4. Traceability is a Priority—But a Challenge for Everyone
The hottest topic outside of AI during NRF 2025 was traceability—ensuring suppliers actively participate in compliance efforts. We heard from many attendees the importance of traceability, and the challenges they face trying to implement it across their supply networks. Specifically:
Retailers struggle with document validation, requiring AI-powered translation and verification tools.
Heritage brands must blend authenticity with digital strategies to remain competitive.
Balancing transparency with operational agility is key—traceability should be a strategic advantage, not a bottleneck.
5. AI is the Common Thread Across Retail Innovation
AI was the dominant theme at NRF 2025, powering smarter sourcing, personalization, and supply chain optimization.
Walmart is one retailer invested in AI, and has a massive AI-driven data science team focused on supply chain, inventory movement, and customer engagement.
Retailers must adopt AI now—falling behind today means losing relevance tomorrow.
“Supply chain, more than anywhere in retail in my opinion, is going to benefit the most from AI.”
– Azita Martin, Vice President and General Manager, Retail and CPG, NVIDIA
The final thought above can’t be emphasized enough. Early adopters of AI are already seeing an advantage in their supply chain performance over the competition. Starting now is already too late, but better than never. Starting tomorrow will result in companies being left behind. AI is a transformative technology that cannot be overlooked, and this message was driven home time and again throughout the conference.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead for Retail Supply Chains
NRF 2025 made one thing clear: AI-powered, transparent, and dynamic supply chains are the future.
Retailers must rethink sourcing strategies, leverage AI for decision-making, and implement traceability effectively to stay competitive.
“You cannot rest. The bar is going to continue to go up, and your competitors are going to continue to raise the bar.”
– Mary Dillon, President and CEO, Foot Locker
As AI continues to drive efficiency, resilience, and compliance, the retailers who embrace it today will shape the future of global commerce. The question is no longer if AI will transform supply chains—but how quickly businesses can adapt.
Interested in AI-powered supply chain solutions? Connect with us to learn how Inspectorio can help you build a transparent, efficient, and resilient supply chain.
You can gain more in-depth analysis of NRF insights in our guide.
