Companies Pulling Out of National Retail Federation Big Show

Several major companies — including Target Corp and computer software firm SAS — have pulled out of the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, which is slated to begin Sunday in the Javits Center in New York City, according to a Reuters report Friday (Jan. 14).

Target has reduced employee travel, meaning its executives — including Target Foundation President Amanda Nusz — will host virtual sessions rather than live events at the retail industry’s largest annual event. SAS is sponsoring at least eight NRF Big Show sessions, but employees will attend virtually.

One Twitter user said he canceled his plans to attend the Big Show after contracting COVID-19 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, where almost 70 attendees, including some Samsung executives, tested positive for the virus. It’s unknown if they got the virus at CES 2022.

All NRF conference attendees must show proof of vaccination and wear masks. Event organizers will distribute N95 and KN95 masks along with COVID-19 rapid tests at the Big Show.

“As we move from pandemic to endemic — a new environment in which we say life can and should go on — there’s going to be friction as we adjust,” NRF chief executive Matthew Shay said in a LinkedIn post. “This year’s show is a step forward, and we believe it’s a necessary and meaningful one.”

In December, NRF updated its COVID-19 protocols with plans for 25,000 attendees and 900 exhibitors. By Wednesday (Jan. 12), the Big Show had 15,000 confirmed attendees and 750 vendors slated to attend the even this weekend.

Also read: Visa US Spending Momentum Index Finishes 2021 Strong

Retail spending remains strong across the U.S., based on some recent data releases. Visa’s U.S. Spending Momentum Index (SMI) for December is 108.4, the strongest reading for that month since the start of the index.

When the Visa SMI tops 100, it means consumer spending momentum is strengthening. When it falls below 100, the spending momentum is weakening, as consumers are spending less when compared to the previous year.

Mastercard’s most recent SpendingPulse data said there was 8.5% growth in retail sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, excluding vehicle sales. That jump in spending was led by a strong holiday shopping season.

Online sales were up 11% compared to last year for the same period, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse’s most recent data.