Retail’s “Big Show”—NRF 2026—is coming to New York City from January 11 to 13, 2026, and SOTI will be bringing powerful new innovations to the show floor. Fresh off the heels of SOTI SYNC 25 in Montreal, SOTI promises to reshape how retailers tackle mobile management, security and operational efficiency with the latest enhancements to the SOTI ONE Platform. These powerful new features are designed to help retailers meet rising consumer expectations while staying resilient in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Why Retailers Should Pay Attention
Today, retailers face mounting pressure to deliver fast, secure and seamless consumer experiences, both online and in-store. According to SOTI’s 2025 retail report, The Rise of Social Commerce: Turning Tech-Driven Browsers into Influenced Buyers, 80% of consumers say that reassurance from the retailer about data protection and security is important when deciding when and how to shop online. Yet, 50% do not mind if retailers use AI to deliver a more personalized shopping experience. When you also consider that 80% say rapid delivery is important, it’s clear that success in retail hinges on speed, security, personalization and innovation.
Current Challenges Retailers Face
Cybersecurity
Recent global cyberattacks in the retail sector has highlighted the growing complexity and scale of threats retailers face. These incidents also reveal the vulnerabilities within their technological ecosystems. With more in-store devices handling sensitive consumer data and a shift toward digital shopping—where consumers enter personal information—improving security measures is critical. It’s not just about compliance and damage control; it’s about building consumer trust and protecting brand reputation.
According to SOTI’s report, 82% of global consumers had at least one concern about entering personal details online or into an in-store device, and 61% are nervous about small retailers being able to keep their personal and payment data secure. This gap in trust represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Retailers that can demonstrate strong security practices stand to gain a competitive edge by reassuring customers and strengthening brand loyalty.
In 2026, retailers must invest in proactive cybersecurity strategies—ranging from real-time threat detection and device management to staff training and compliance with evolving data protection laws. The goal is to not simply react to breaches but to build digital ecosystems that are resilient by design.
Fragmented Commerce
Gone are the days of the linear buyer journey. Today’s consumers navigate a dynamic mix of digital spaces, from online shopping channels to social commerce, to purchase goods. Coupled with still thriving brick-and-mortar stores, the buyer’s journey becomes incredibly complex.
What corresponds with the multi-faceted and unpredictable buyer’s journey is the degree and importance of personalization and convenience. To succeed, retailers need to blend the best aspects of online and in-store shopping into one smooth experience. This means bringing the speed and tailored services that consumers enjoy online into physical stores. It also means capturing the human interaction and immediacy of in-store shopping across digital channels. Incorporating tools such as real-time inventory tracking, mobile payment options, and customized promotions into store operations helps create a unified experience that’s faster, more responsive, and cost-effective for both consumers and retailers.
Today, more consumers than ever are using their phones to shop, with 65% of global consumers citing it as the most convenient way to make purchases. Notably, 49% highlight social media as a quick and easy way to stay up to date with the latest styles. As social media usage continues to grow year over year, a unified omnichannel strategy—one that seamlessly integrates in-store and online shopping experiences—is essential for retailers aiming to expand their consumer base and strengthen relationships with brand champions.
Operational Blind Spots
Retail teams often struggle with limited visibility into back-of-house operations. With dispersed workforces and multiple store locations, managing a growing fleet of in-store devices becomes incredibly difficult. During peak seasons, IT teams are particularly stretched, making it harder to respond quickly to device issues, app crashes, service disruptions and more.
When considering that 81% of global consumers prioritize speed when shopping in-store to find a product and make a purchase, retailers must ensure their devices and systems are operational and running smoothly to deliver fast, reliable service and maximize operational efficiency. This is where operational visibility becomes essential. It plays a critical role in maintaining device uptime, enabling IT teams to make informed, data-driven decisions, and empowering retail staff to perform their tasks effectively—all contributing to a seamless consumer shopping journey.
Discover Innovation in Action
At NRF 2026, SOTI will be demonstrating how its new feature updates come together to create a smarter, more secure and efficient retail environment. Whether you're a store manager, IT leader, or operations executive, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and tools to future-proof your retail strategy and overcome your specific retail challenges.
Visit SOTI at NRF 2026 and discover how the SOTI ONE Platform transforms retail—one device and one customer at a time.
