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NRF Retail Trends 2025: Partner Tech's Perspective
NRF Trends 2025: Partner Tech's Perspective
The use of technology to enable a frictionless customer experience is key, no matter if its about self-checkout, omni-channel retailing, or the use of robotics.
AI & Machine Learning for a Frictionless Customer Experience
AI and machine learning dominated the show floor at NRF 2025 , continuing to reshape retail innovation. Partner Tech showcased how AI is seamlessly integrated into our kiosks and self-checkout (SCO) solutions to deliver a truly frictionless customer experience. Our self-learning, AI-based SCO software demonstrated faster item recognition, enabling quicker checkout processes for produce and other specialty items with minimal staff intervention. Additionally, our SCO solutions use AI to analyze data from computer vision and smart security scales, identifying suspicious preventing behaviors and fraudulent activities in real-time.
Another highlight was our collaboration with Mobile Insight , which featured VIBA—an AI-agent powered by real-time speech recognition and a human-like avatar. Hosted on our K27 kiosk , VIBA allowed customers to ask questions, search for product details, receive personalized offers, and even connect with live agents when needed. This solution exemplified how AI can elevate customer engagement and satisfaction.
Omni-Channel Retailing
Omni-channel retailing remained a key focus at NRF 2025, as retailers strive to deliver seamless experiences across all customer touchpoints while enhancing operational efficiency. Our software partners at our booth, including iVend Retail , Point of Sale Cloud , and Zucchetti , demonstrated cloud-based solutions that empower merchants to unify their channels with real-time synchronization of inventory, customer data, and transactions. From online and mobile ordering on a phone to in-store interactions via Partner Tech kiosks, mobile POS or traditional POS terminals, these platforms ensure a consistent and convenient shopping experience. At NRF, we demonstrated our already popular Windows tablet M10 and Audrey A5 II , which now is available in both a Windows and Android version.
AI and machine learning dominated the show floor at NRF 2025 , continuing to reshape retail innovation. Partner Tech showcased how AI is seamlessly integrated into our kiosks and self-checkout (SCO) solutions to deliver a truly frictionless customer experience. Our self-learning, AI-based SCO software demonstrated faster item recognition, enabling quicker checkout processes for produce and other specialty items with minimal staff intervention. Additionally, our SCO solutions use AI to analyze data from computer vision and smart security scales, identifying suspicious preventing behaviors and fraudulent activities in real-time.
Another highlight was our collaboration with Mobile Insight , which featured VIBA—an AI-agent powered by real-time speech recognition and a human-like avatar. Hosted on our K27 kiosk , VIBA allowed customers to ask questions, search for product details, receive personalized offers, and even connect with live agents when needed. This solution exemplified how AI can elevate customer engagement and satisfaction.
Omni-Channel Retailing
Omni-channel retailing remained a key focus at NRF 2025, as retailers strive to deliver seamless experiences across all customer touchpoints while enhancing operational efficiency. Our software partners at our booth, including iVend Retail , Point of Sale Cloud , and Zucchetti , demonstrated cloud-based solutions that empower merchants to unify their channels with real-time synchronization of inventory, customer data, and transactions. From online and mobile ordering on a phone to in-store interactions via Partner Tech kiosks, mobile POS or traditional POS terminals, these platforms ensure a consistent and convenient shopping experience. At NRF, we demonstrated our already popular Windows tablet M10 and Audrey A5 II , which now is available in both a Windows and Android version.
Self-Checkout Innovations
Self-checkout technology took center stage, reflecting its growing importance in modern retail. Partner Tech demonstrated more advanced AI-based features for our Alfred and Starling SCO solutions with strong focus on analytics and actionable data for the retailers to improve the performance of their SCO. Additionally, we showcased support for multiple payment types, including card, mobile wallets and cash with CPI's Paypod solution with support for mobile drivers' licenses for safer and faster age verification. We also revealed several new kiosk models tailored to meet varied applications and spatial requirements, including:
- Paula: A sleek and compact design with a high-performance scanner ideal for retail applications
- Boba: A versatile kiosk unit optimized for quick-service restaurants.
- Alfred PS-137 : A sleek, standalone kiosk solution for both retail and hospitality.
These kiosks address the dual priorities of reducing labor costs and enhancing customer convenience. With advanced features like integrated payment systems and modular designs, our solutions cater to the evolving needs of retailers.
Automation & Robotics
Automation and robotics continue to revolutionize the retail and hospitality industries by optimizing tasks like inventory management and order fulfillment. At NRF 2025, we excited to support our partner Point of Sale Cloud that showcased an automated restaurant concept together with Middleby Corporation and several other companies. Visitors placed orders for pizza or fries via their smartphones or on a Partner Tech kiosk, with instructions sent directly to kitchen robots. Customers could then track their orders in real-time and retrieve them from lockers using QR codes. This demonstration highlighted how automation can enhance efficiency and improve the customer experience in fast-paced environments.
The Future of Retail Technology
NRF 2025 underscored the transformative power of innovation in retail, with kiosks, self-checkout systems, and POS solutions playing pivotal roles. Partner Tech remains at the forefront, developing technologies that empower merchants to provide exceptional customer experiences while optimizing operations. From AI-driven insights to fully automated processes, the future of retail is here, and Partner Tech is leading the way.
Let us help you harness these trends to elevate your business. Contact our team to learn more about our cutting-edge solutions!