Shoptalk, a premier retail event, holds multiple conferences throughout the year. One of the biggest is the Shoptalk Spring event, which gathers over 10,000 retail professionals, brands, tech companies, and more in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s event, Shoptalk Spring 2025 (March 24-27), took place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

As Acumatica’s Retail Product Manager, Shoptalk gave me the opportunity to talk with attendees and event presenters who shared their perspectives on where the retail industry has been and where it’s going,  I also took advantage of this prime opportunity to share what Acumatica brings to the table for our valued retail customers—and it’s a lot.

Here’s a look at the retail trends, challenges, and lessons that were addressed during Shoptalk Spring 2025.

Shoptalk Spring 2025: Trends

The three-day Shoptalk event was filled with networking, connecting with industry leaders and decision makers, and listening to retail, ecommerce, and technology leaders discussing the latest innovations and consumer strategies. Attendees had ample time to visit the more than 900 sponsors and exhibitors packed into the expo hall, to attend multiple breakout sessions, and to check out the New Market (a “show-within-the-show dedicated to exploring the fast-changing world of retail media, marketing, and advertising”), which was added this year.

Shoptalk’s agenda focused on customer-centricity and the four key qualities that customers expect from brands and retailers today. These qualities include:

• • Customer Hospitality
  • Value
  • Inspiration
  • Reason for Being

As a customer-first business, Acumatica is completely on-trend. Our latest release, Acumatica 2025 R1, delivers enhanced personalization features and a modern UI that enable merchants and retailers to tailor their back office experience so they can improve operational efficiency. This leads to a better customer experience, from initial purchase and fulfillment to returns and exchanges.

AI automation was another powerful trend discussed, with the prefix ‘AI’ appearing everywhere. The conversation primarily focused on its role in optimizing retail operations.

AI automation was another powerful trend discussed, with the prefix ‘AI’ appearing everywhere!  The conversations primarily focused on AI and it’s role in optimizing retail operations” Through  Acumatica’s AI features and capabilities, like anomaly detection and project-related documents, AI-powered enhancements help streamline processes related to inventory management and customer service.

Finally, no retail discussion is complete if it doesn’t include omnichannel commerce. As in years past, we see convenience and seamless and personalized experience continue to be a top consumer expectation. Customers want the option to shop in store or online, especially with mobile apps. Seeing inventory, having the ability to choose or upgrade for faster fulfillment and tracking, and having that consistent service—whether they’re buying the brand on Shopify, Amazon or other sales channels—are all make-it-or-break-it features for customers who are choosing where to spend their hard-earned money.

Shoptalk Spring 2025: Challenges for Retailers

As far as challenges go in the retail space, how to leverage AI and incorporate this vital technology into their operations was top of mind. Specifically, retailers are wondering where they should start.

At Acumatica, we believe the best place to begin is implementing our cloud-based, industry-specific ERP solution with a built-in retail management application. Acumatica ensures retail professionals have the tools they need to deliver a consistent, integrated customer experience across all sales channels from a single source of truth.

With Acumatica, they can look at the data to determine where to optimize inventory or automate workflow. From there, they can utilize Acumatica’s AI features to leverage and enhance their system with intuitive, human-like assistance and prompts while also having the ability to flex in the face of supply chain disruptions.

Shoptalk Spring 2025: Mindfulness in the Retail Industry

The trends and challenges we’re seeing in the retail sector all lead to one conclusion: if a retailer is still treating customers as if they’re transactional relationships, then that retailer has a tough road ahead of them.

It’s important that today’s businesses develop a strategy that goes beyond the transaction and puts customers at the top of mind when making decisions. Such a strategy includes building loyalty through customer-first initiatives that show that the retailer understands their demographics, generational buying power, and customer expectations.

I found a real-life example of this customer-centric mindset in the Shoptalk store, which offers sponsored sample merch. During attendees first pass through, they were limited to three products. They could then go back another day and get more if they wanted.

While perusing the merch, I chatted with a merchant who liked the product variety and limitation. She told me that she and her team are exploring an initiative that refines their “merch” and product offerings. They’re looking at a “de-influencer” strategy because their customer base is primarily over 40 who are getting more mindful of “stuff,” especially with the economy driving more budget-conscious shopping decisions.

Needless to say, I left with the three “mindful” products that I would use and could hand-carry, choosing not to take the large canvas Shoptalk bag. As a member of Gen X, I wondered if I was acting according to the customer base she just mentioned or if I was just de-influenced by the conversation. Either way, the merchant was completely aware of her customers’ wants and needs and acted accordingly.

At Acumatica, we’ve been mindful of our customers’, and partners’ and creators’ needs from the moment we opened our doors. We’re continually asking Acumatica Community members for feedback on how we can enhance our comprehensive ERP solution so that their lives are easier, better, and more profitable. We know that their success is our success, and we’re committed to working together to create a bright, growing future for everyone.

To learn more about Acumatica and our award-winning and customer-oriented product, contact us today.