NRF meet focuses on disruptive power of technology

Technology can not only transform products, but also the way companies sell those products, JGA’s Chairman Ken Nisch said at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Conference in New York City.

Today, there are about 31 billion connected devices across homes, work places and stores. By 2025, that number will jump to 75 billion. So how can retailers prepare? This was the question that Nisch sought to address.

Nisch led the session, ‘The Connected World: Advances That Will Change Your Life,’ which included Shelly Ibach from Sleep Number, Jonathan Hall from JennAir-Whirlpool and Tim Woods of Autonomous Vehicle Alliance.

“There is a new language that has come up around connectivity,” Nisch stated, “It’s called ‘Empathic’.”

Nish’s comments are particularly relevant given that while technology at NRF has always been more geared towards security and IT, it’s increasingly becoming important for the front end too. This is where data and connectivity come together. In a connected world, all of these platforms will be personalised, engaging and in every way empathic.

Some examples of technology led brand success are JennAir and Sleep Number with their life-changing innovations that add value to people’s lives. As Ibach, Sleep Number’s President and CEO, said, “it’s about understanding that their product needed to account for, outside of sleep”.

Hall, JennAir’s Product and Brand Marketing Director, spoke about how the company hopes to solve problems before they even happen.

Woods, General Manager of the Autonomous Vehicle Alliance, brought up the impact autonomous vehicles will have on retailers in terms of addressing shifting needs, personalization and potential for new business opportunities
Nisch closed by stating, “New luxury will really be focused on ease, convenience and anticipation. It’ll disrupt when, where and how we shop.”