The energy at NRF 2026 was undeniable, from thought-leadership stages filled with bold visions for the future of retail to expo floors buzzing with innovation and partnerships. But before the first keynote, a vibrant community moment set the tone for the week. Ehouse’s kick-off party truly lived up to its reputation as the go-to gathering for the commerce community.

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Held on Sunday afternoon at the iconic Soho House, the event brought together founders, operators, builders, and thinkers from across the retail and ecommerce landscape. With music in the background, drinks in hand, and conversations unfolding in every corner, it was clear that this wasn’t just about networking but connection.

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Pull Up a Chair. Talk Shop. Be Inspired.

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The spirit of NRF permeated every part of the gathering, but ehouse’s approach was refreshingly human. There were no formal presentations and no rigid agenda. Instead, the afternoon unfolded through lively, living-room-style conversations focused on the real challenges and opportunities brands are navigating today.

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Bite-sized fireside chats throughout the evening included:

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• AI and Agentic commerce with Jon Knott (Director of Ecosystem Partnerships at Tapcart) and Felipe Rosario (Strategic Partnerships at ehouse) hosting forward-looking conversations on how to prepare for a future where AI is the new “front door” for customers.

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• Subscriptions that stick with Marissa Nunez (Director of CRM, Lifecycle, and Retention Marketing Services at ehouse) exploring what it takes to build experiences customers genuinely want to subscribe to.

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• Returns personalization with Ellie Ronning (Director of Enterprise Strategy at Signifyd) unpacking the latest patterns brands are seeing and strategies that actually move the needle.
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No polished slide decks, no sales pitches. Just an open forum to share and learn.

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Setting the Week (and Conversation) on the Right Foot

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By the time the evening wound down, the conversations had already begun to ripple into the broader NRF 2026 agenda. That momentum was no coincidence. The themes emerging at ehouse’s kick-off closely mirrored many of the defining narratives that would dominate Retail’s Big Show.

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Across NRF 2026, a few clear messages stood out. Namely:

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• AI is no longer a future-state discussion. From global brands to emerging technology leaders, it’s already reshaping operations, personalization, and customer experience at every touchpoint.

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• Innovation and agility are becoming non-negotiable. The most successful brands are those willing to experiment quickly, break down silos, and rethink long-standing workflows.

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• Community continues to matter. Whether on the expo floor or in more intimate moments like the eHouse party, people and their shared experiences are driving the next era of commerce forward.

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As the National Retail Federation’s own recap noted, this year’s Big Show made history and set the stage for what comes next.

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True to the ehouse Ethos

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If the expo floor showcased innovation in technology and strategy, the ehouse kick-off highlighted innovation in community. It wasn’t just about who showed up but what happened after the introductions.

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In short: Familiar faces reconnected, new relationships took shape and ideas sparked in casual conversations that will fuel months of collaboration.

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By bringing the commerce community together in a space that felt like home, ehouse reinforced a simple truth: The future of commerce isn’t built in isolation — it’s built together.

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