This Week in Retail: Shoptalk and Nike earnings

Shoptalk Fall is coming to Nashville this week, and Retail Brew will be in attendance. The industry conference brings together thousands of retailers and brands to share best practices and strategies for tackling 2027. This year, organizers are trying out a new format called “Retail Unplugged,” where participants can engage in “candid conversations and peer-to-peer conversations” without the fluff. Retailers sending speakers include executives from Best Buy, Tractor Supply, Bob’s Discount Furniture, and Ulta Beauty, to name a few.

Here’s what else is going on in retail:

In conferences: The E-Commerce, Packaging & Labeling Expo is coming to the Javits Center in New York City this week. The conference showcases the latest packaging technologies and suppliers with the goal of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the customer experience. The speaker lineup features a mix of retailers, sellers, and e-commerce brands, including executives from Google, Bombas, Gopuff, and Estée Lauder Companies.

The event is connected with The Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo, a showcase for new transportation and warehousing technologies and an opportunity for industry leaders and major suppliers to connect. Walmart, Foot Locker, Wayfair, and Louis Vuitton are all sending speakers.

In workshops: Stephanie Scott-Bradshaw, CEO of First and Last PR, is hosting a hands-on workshop in New York City on how beauty and lifestyle CPG brands can leverage Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification in their business to get space at major retailers. At the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to practice their pitch and receive real-time feedback.

In earnings: Nike is reporting its latest earnings on Thursday. Wall Street will be watching closely, as investors look for progress in the sneaker giant’s ongoing turnaround efforts. The company recently took a reputational hit when French soccer champion Kylian Mbappé ended his 20-year association with the brand and signed on with Swiss sportswear brand On. At least one major Nike customer is optimistic, however. JD Sports CFO Dominic Platt said it’s only a matter of time before Nike revives its business.