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NRF 2026 Recap: AI, Automation, and Frictionless Retail Are No Longer Optional
NRF 2026 Recap: AI, Automation, and Frictionless Retail Are No Longer Optional
This year's show focused on practical innovation: technology delivering real results today, not distant concepts.
NRF 2026 once again proved why it's the world's most influential retail event, welcoming over 40,000 attendees and nearly 5,000 exhibitors from across the globe. Partner Tech's global team came together in New York, making it a great opportunity to reconnect, collaborate, and engage with customers and partners.
Ready-Set-Go: Partner Tech global team and eco system partners at NRF 2026.
Partner Tech's global management team: Pete Wang, Sandra Hsia and Dennis Christesen.
Beyond the booth, NRF was about relationships. From meaningful conversations on the show floor to an unforgettable party hosted together with KORONA POS, we connected with retailers and partners from almost every corner of the world.
Partner Tech and KORONA POS NRF Kick Off Party was a huge success!
Hanging out with our friends from Globe POS.
Retail's Next Phase Is Already Here
NRF 2026 made one thing clear: AI, automation, and frictionless experiences are no longer optional. Retailers are under growing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer experience and address shrink—all at once. This year's show focused on practical innovation: technology delivering real results today, not distant concepts.
Key themes from NRF 2026 included:
Key themes from NRF 2026 included:
- AI-driven automation for smarter retail operations
- Faster, more intuitive checkout experiences
- Advanced approaches to loss prevention and shrink reduction
- Flexible, modular store technology that can scale
- Unified platforms connecting hardware, software, and data
Where Partner Tech Fits In
At booth 3111, Partner Tech demonstrated how retailers can meet these evolving demands with a comple te portfolio of AI-powered self-checkout and the next generation POS solutions built for real-world Environments. From AI-driven self-checkout and vision-based autonomous checkout to self-order kiosks, POS terminal s, and mobile POS, our solutions showed how retailers can simplify operations while delivering fast, accessible, and frictionless customer experiences—including ADA-compliant solutions.
What resonated most was our focus on intelligent self-service—technology that goes beyond speed to h elp retailers reduce theft, minimize staff intervention, and operate more efficiently. With platforms like Starling, Alfred, and Paula SCO, Partner Tech enables retailers to move faster w ithout sacrificing control or accuracy.
What resonated most was our focus on intelligent self-service—technology that goes beyond speed to h elp retailers reduce theft, minimize staff intervention, and operate more efficiently. With platforms like Starling, Alfred, and Paula SCO, Partner Tech enables retailers to move faster w ithout sacrificing control or accuracy.
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Partner Tech's SCO family, including Alfred, Paula and Starling. Modular and highly flexible to fit every type of of retail environment – from convenience stores and drugstores to large supermarket chains and specialty retailers. -
Audrey II, the next generation of Partner Tech's flagship POS terminal is now available in all three sizes: A4 (15"), A5 (15.6") and A7 (21.5")
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Partner Tech offers a range of kiosks, including countertop and floor models. Here is Paula Kiosk and Alfred Kiosk with ADA key pad for accessability. (Alfred floor model in the background) -
M10 Windows 11 tablet is a versatile hybrid POS solution that works both for mobile use and in a stand, as regular POS terminal. Here demonstrated by our partner Amicis.
Powered by Strong Partnerships
Our ecosystem partners at the booth played a key role in bringing our solutions to life:
- Amicis showcased complete retail and hospitality workflows on the K27 kiosk, Alfred kiosk, and M10 tablet
- Anker expanded our offering with premium cash drawers and ADA-compliant keypads
- CipherLab complemented our front-of-store solutions with next-gen mobile data capture for back-of-store operations
- Swissbit supported retailers with retail-focused security solutions and what's required to meet the demands in the European market
- Zucchetti demonstrated AI-powered vision checkout and self-service kiosk solutions
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Partner Tech introduced premium cash drawers, cash management accessories, and an ADA-compliant accessibility keypad from Germany’s ANKER Group to the U.S. market. The announcement follows Partner Tech’s strategic investment in ANKER Group in 2025.
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Partner Tech announced a strategic U.S. partnership with CipherLab, expanding Partner Tech’s retail technology portfolio by integrating CipherLab’s AI-powered Android-based mobile computing and data capture solutions.
Looking Ahead
NRF 2026 reinforced that the future of retail is connected, intelligent, and customer-centric. Partner Tech is helping retailers turn these trends into action—delivering scalable, secure, and flexible solutions that meet today's challenges and tomorrow's expectations.
