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2024 is a pivotal year for the retail industry as it charts a course towards its exciting future. We see trends such as economic instabilities and global trade, as regional shifts and data growth change how we power and drive transformation in our businesses. In addition, there are trends in the retail industry that are gaining pace - digitization, machine learning and automation, generative AI, sensor fusion, spatial computing, simulation, and the changing physical / digital retail ecosystem. Nikolas Badminton, world-renowned futurist and best-selling author will lead attendees into a world of new possibilities, challenging listeners to widen their view, particularly as these trends spur leaders to examine better ways to operate and flourish. Be prepared to immerse yourself in new thinking as Badminton shares his views on the future of innovation, profit and growth. Areas of Exploration THE VALUE OF FUTURES WORK - the mindset needed and approach to exploring futures (signals, trends, scenarios and stories). I will illustrate using stories from pioneers in the field. GLOBAL MEGATRENDS - economic shifts, global trade, population growth, megacities, climate change, water-energy-food nexus and the shift in ORC’s thinking regarding retail, computing infrastructure etc. MULTI-MODAL INTELLIGENCE - Data growth and AI + robotics + spatial / wearable computing, automation and security, anticipatory shipping, generative AI (including poisoning and espionage) LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION - logistics hubs, supply chain, retailer ecosystems CONSUMER ECOSYSTEMS - the evolution of digital experiences, store design and evolution, virtual and parallel realities, ambient computing, CBDCs / apps / ecosystems SECURITY & IDENTITY - OSINT, cybersecurity, crime avoidance and wnit-surveillance trends, digital exploitation and social engineering.

Organized retail crime is on the rise, affecting both the retail and financial industries. In a landmark case titled Operation Bad Bot, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unraveled a complex online gift card fraud, culminating in the shutdown of a marketplace with more than $22 million in retail value. Hear how HSI solved this case and develop an understanding of what industries should do to avoid becoming a victim of these fraud schemes. With video from the offender sharing how this crime unfolded, this is a must attend session. 

During this time, we will be announcing the winners of ​The Ring of Excellence Award and the NRF Retail Cybersecurity Leadership Award. The Ring of Excellence Awards recognizes pioneers in the retail loss prevention and asset protection community whose honor, integrity and character serve as an example for the Loss Prevention profession. The achievements and outstanding leadership of these honorees have shaped the industry by creating new Loss Prevention standard practices and building strong Asset Protection and retail security teams. Inductees to the Ring of Excellence can be honored in person or posthumously and have included vice presidents and chief security officers of retail companies. The NRF Retail Cybersecurity Leadership Award recognizes individuals’ cumulative contributions, over the course of their career, to advancing the state of cybersecurity within the retail industry. This award spotlights both leadership on cybersecurity within retail companies and efforts to support industry-wide collaboration, information sharing, workforce development and partner engagement on cybersecurity issues. 

Have you ever wondered how hackers think? Do you know why they're so successful? Do you want to know what this has to do with broader retail concerns, such as loss prevention, asset protection, and anti-fraud? Led by Ted Harrington -- the #1 bestselling author of Hackable and a leader of ethical hackers -- this dynamic keynote session will teach you: how hackers think; how to apply the hacker mindset to other objectives, such as loss prevention, asset protection, anti-fraud (and more!); and how to handle the intersection of physical and digital. Ted takes you to the front lines of ethical hacking to tell stories that teach you what to do, how to do it, and why.

The relationships between prosecutors, law enforcement and retailers are vital in efforts to stem the current tide of retail theft and violence. San Diego County DA Summer Stephan sits with NRF VP David Johnston to talk about the proactive approach her office takes in building these relationships and prosecuting those involved in ORC activities. As President Elect of the National District Attorneys Association, DA Stephan will highlight her planned agenda of educating and reaffirming the needs of prosecutors across the nation to take a firm stance against these criminal offenders. 

Herm Edwards has spent a lifetime playing to win. His leadership style, his passion for teamwork, and his commitment to getting the details right have made him successful on the football field and throughout his life.  Join us as he shares the experiences that have shaped his approach to life and elucidates a tenet he holds dear - namely, making something out of every day.