National Retail Federation's annual Big Show and Expo in New York – have announced several retail technology deals, indicating that innovation is the key to improve customer experience. Total e-commerce revenue in 2020 will reach $3.52 trillion, an explosion that will force retailers to find faster and more convenient modes to reach the final mile and yard, according to tech market advisory firm, ABI Research. There is increasing convergence of online and in-store businesses, with brick and mortar positioned as hubs closer to the customer, as well as e-commerce sites directing package delivery to retail outlets. Additive investment will grow in Buy Online Pay in Store (BOPIS) options. Alibaba and JD.com have focus on growth through lower-tier cities, chasing fast growing, third place Pinduoduo's rural playbook to reach the next 600 million people.

The National Retail Federation's 2020 Big Show in New York was jam packed full of robots, frictionless store mock-ups, and audacious displays of the latest technology now available to retailers. Dozens of robots, digital signage tools, and more were available for retail representatives to test out, with hundreds of the biggest tech companies in attendance offering a bounty of eye-popping gadgets designed to increase efficiency and bring the wow factor back to brick-and-mortar stores. SEE: Artificial intelligence: A business leader's guide (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the annual retail event. With the explosion in popularity of Amazon, Alibaba, and other e-commerce sites ready to deliver goods right to your door within days, many analysts and retailers figured the brick-and-mortar stores of the past were on their last legs. But it turns out billions of customers still want the personal, tailored touch of in-store experiences and are not ready to completely abandon physical retail outlets.

NRF 2020: Retail's Big Show is the central theme of the world's largest retail conference and expo currently happening in New York. The conference has become the powerhouse where we are witnessing the announcement of significant partnerships and the launch of cutting-edge technologies to strengthen connections between consumers and brands and empowering them to create an ever-lasting relationship with their customers. One such example of an impressive partnership at NRF was seen between Microsoft and SAP. They are all set to modernize and simplify the journeys of their retail customers as they move to the cloud while becoming an intelligent enterprise. Let's explore some innovation scenarios showcasing how the partnership between Microsoft and SAP will lay the foundation of groundbreaking retail concepts that will inspire retailers and delight consumers in 2020.

The convergence of AI, 5G and edge computing is unleashing unprecedented opportunities for retailers in areas like customer experience and smarter AI-enabled stores. Attendees of NRF 2020, the world's largest retail expo, taking place Jan. 12-14 in New York, can see how NVIDIA is working with some of the most innovative solution providers to re-invent the retail industry. NVIDIA's edge computing offerings are powering ready-to-use AI applications that reduce shrinkage, optimize logistics and create operational efficiencies. The NVIDIA EGX edge computing platform enables retailers to scale the power of AI beyond data centers into local environments where data is gathered, such as in-store aisles, checkout counters and warehouses. Among them is AnyVision (NRF booth 1727), whose Store Insight software generates intelligence about customer behavior inside stores to optimize merchandising decisions.

The Belk team is transforming inventory precision through AI and machine learning to detect localized customer preferences, automate assortment and allocation impact at the size level, deliver incremental revenue and margin, and enhance customer experiences. Connect with Tim Carney, Belk Vice President of Allocation, to learn how the Belk team trusts and collaborates with SAS as the "virtual assistant" to solve complex problems. Find out how Belk uses SAS to make better, faster, more accurate and more profitable decisions to support the end-to-end merchandising demand management process.

Google Cloud VP of Retail Carrie Tharp has a long background of embracing disruption. Having joined the Mountain View, Calif.-based tech giant in July, she might be a relative newcomer, but she is no stranger to developing and supporting technology for the changing retail landscape. Tharp spent the past three years at Neiman Marcus Group creating the luxury retailer's digital-first strategy, including shifting to a cloud-centric software stack for marketing and ecommerce and leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive programs like digital styling, personalized promos and algorithmic buying. Before that, she was immersed in similar tasks at Fossil and Travelocity. One theme that weaves throughout her career: Tharp embraces the challenge of shepherding retail brands through disruption and helping them evolve the way they interact with customers.