2010 Retail Outlook: Top 3 themes of last week's NRF

Despite last year’s harsh playing field for retail, I was amazed by how many turned out in New York for NRF’s BIG Show last week. Then again, now is probably the best time for retailers and vendors to assemble and share ideas for a better 2010.

As I bounced around between educational sessions and booth “show-and-tells,” I met many people from all over the country—each giving similar testimonies of the same basic challenges. Many of these discussions intrigued me, but there were 3 distinct themes to take away:

1. All the Right Players Go Mobile.
2. Sustainability Underscores Everything.
3. The Giants Are Embracing Social Media.

Essentially, technology is king this year, especially in the areas of mobile retail management and solutions that will help retailers ride out the economic tidal wave. We also saw great validation of social media as a powerful strategy to monitor and stir the pot of opportunity, even among the big players.

There was a great article by Matt Pillar, Editor In Chief, Retail Solutions Online/Integrated Solutions For Retailers magazine this week on these key themes. Check it out and share your comments – What are your thoughts? Your predictions? Will social media ever lose its buzz? What other trends are coming down the pike?