This year, Intuendi had the privilege of exhibiting in the StartupHub at NRF 2025 in New York City. It was our first trip to the Big Apple, and in true New York fashion—the energy pulsating through the city was something else—every corner seemed to buzz with ambition, creativity and opportunity.
And fortunately, due to some cool swag and our Italian accents, our booth was abuzz with conversations about demand planning in 2025 and tackling the end-to-end supply chain. Being stationed squarely amongst innovation and intelligence, we were privy to some of the most interesting conversations, as well as some hotly debated topics.
Here are our key insights and takeaways from NRF 2025—insights that are not only shaping the future of retail, but also influencing our journey as Intuendi continues to service global and US-based businesses.
Data is retail’s most valuable asset… if used correctly
Retailers have always invested in analytics to drive performance. In fact, last year alone, the retail sector outspent other industries—even financial services—in analytics and business intelligence (BI). However, many still struggle to see meaningful ROI from these tools.
Why? Because traditional analytics alone can’t solve persistent challenges like data silos, usability, and security. For data to become a true asset, it must be:
- Unified – Breaking down silos across functions
- Trusted – Governed and accurate
- Pervasive – Embedded into decision-making across the organization
At the conference, we heard over and over again how important it is to make data usable for everyone—from executives to frontline teams. This is where Intuendi comes in. Our solutions turn fragmented data into actionable insights, ensuring businesses can forecast demand, optimize inventory, and plan intelligently. Retailers are looking to make faster, smarter decisions with ease and confidence, and this is where we shine.
Generative AI: The tool to tame data chaos
If there was one buzzword that kept popping up at NRF, it was Generative AI (GenAI). And for good reason. A whopping 97% of retailers now consider GenAI “important” or “very important,” and nearly half (48%) are already working to incorporate it across functions.
Here’s why GenAI is gaining so much traction:
- Humanizing data – GenAI translates complex data into actionable, easy-to-understand insights, empowering teams at every level.
- Personalizing experiences – From tailored marketing campaigns to hyper-relevant recommendations, GenAI deepens the connection between retailers and their customers.
- Aligning analytics with business goals – With 42% of retailers struggling to align analytics with their objectives, GenAI offers a solution to organize, prioritize, and derive value from their data.
Retailers and commerce businesses are scrambling to integrate GenAI into their business operations. We’ve heard that time and time again, so we responded by building a platform that leverages AI-driven intelligence to align analytics with business goals and deliver precise recommendations. The result? Streamlined operations and enhanced customer experiences that stand out in a competitive market.
Integration is non-negotiable
Another theme and key insight from NRF 2025 that came up repeatedly was the need for seamless integration. Every retailer we spoke to had a structured ERP system, and they expected any new software solutions to integrate flawlessly. It’s no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have or a dealbreaker.
This expectation underscores the importance of planning intelligence—a holistic view consisting not only of internal operations but branching out into customers, competitors, and market trends. Retailers don’t just want efficiency; they want intelligence.
Intuendi’s solutions are built with this mindset. We provide fully integrated tools that connect demand planning, inventory optimization, and customer insights—all in one platform. Our goal is simple: to help retailers connect the dots across their business effortlessly, driving growth and resilience.
The Opportunity Ahead
The future of retail is bright, but challenging. Data silos, usability hurdles, and security concerns won’t disappear overnight. But the retailers who embrace intelligent, adaptable, and integrated solutions will be the ones leading the pack.
As for us, NRF was not just a conference; it was a reminder of why we love what we do. The innovation, the ambition, the drive to solve complex problems—it’s inspiring. And as Intuendi steps more deeply into the US market, we’re more committed than ever to helping retailers unlock the full potential of their data—turning it from an asset into a driver of meaningful change and revenue.
Stay tuned for our next edition, where we’ll dive deeper into actionable strategies and key insights for retailers looking to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
