If you work in retail or self-service, NRF – Retail’s Big Show needs no introduction. Held every January in New York, it’s one of the biggest global gatherings of retailers, technology providers and industry leaders, all coming together to explore what’s next for the sector.
For Storm Interface, being there this year wasn’t just about visibility. It was about showing, in a very practical way, how accessibility can and should be built into modern self-service experiences from the very start.
Why NRF matters to us
NRF is where ideas turn into real-world solutions. It’s where retailers look for technology that’s not only innovative, but also scalable, compliant and genuinely usable by everyone.
As a company focused on assistive technology for self-service, it was the perfect environment to have meaningful conversations about inclusion, accessibility standards, and the responsibility we all share to design systems that don’t leave people behind.
Across three busy days at booth 2353, we had the chance to demonstrate our latest solutions and talk directly with retailers, integrators and partners about the challenges they’re facing and how accessibility fits into that picture.
Accessibility as part of the strategy, not an afterthought
One message came through loud and clear throughout the show: accessibility works best when it’s embedded, not bolted on.
Alongside our partners imageHOLDERS, TPGi (a Vispero company) and GrabScanGo, we were proud to champion the idea that inclusive design should sit at the heart of every self-service strategy. From payment and checkout to wayfinding and user guidance, accessibility isn’t a “nice to have”, it’s essential.
We saw strong interest in solutions that make self-service more intuitive for everyone, particularly people with disabilities, older users, and those who simply need clearer, more supportive interfaces.
Real-world impact, real conversations
One of the highlights of the week was seeing how engaged people were when they experienced our technology first-hand. Products like AudioNav sparked meaningful conversations about independence, dignity and ease of use, especially in high-pressure environments like retail and transport. We were particularly proud to hear that more than one major retailer described Storm’s AudioNav as the gold standard for self-service accessibility, a recognition that means a great deal to our team. It reinforced that designing with real users in mind genuinely makes a difference.
Over the years, Storm Interface has become something of a gold standard in self-service accessibility, with our solutions used by global brands including McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Wendy’s, as well as major transport hubs like Schiphol Airport and JFK International Airport.
Hearing feedback from people who recognise that impact, and want to build on it, is what keeps us motivated to keep pushing boundaries.
Keeping accessibility momentum going
It was also great to be joined at our stand by partners who share the same commitment. As Matt Ater from Vispero put it during the show, accessibility momentum needs to carry across everything we build, from apps to kiosks, payment devices and self-checkout systems.
With regulations like the European Accessibility Act coming into force, many conversations naturally touched on compliance. But what stood out was a broader shift in mindset: doing the right thing because it improves experiences for real people.
A new chapter for Storm Interface
NRF 2026 also came at an exciting moment for us as a business. We were pleased to officially share that Storm Interface is now part of the discoverIE Group plc family of businesses.
This marks an important new chapter, opening up fresh opportunities to grow, innovate and extend our reach into new markets and industries. Being part of discoverIE strengthens our ability to invest in our people, our technology and our long-term vision.
Most importantly, it reinforces what has always driven us: a commitment to making the world more accessible through high-quality assistive technology and services for the self-service industry.
Heading home inspired
As we headed back from New York after three fantastic days, we felt energised by the conversations, the partnerships and the shared ambition we saw across the show floor.
NRF reminded us that accessibility isn’t a destination, it’s an ongoing journey. One we’re proud to be on alongside our partners, customers and the wider retail community.
If we met you at the show, thank you for taking the time to talk with us. And if we didn’t, we’d still love to continue the conversation.
Together, we can build self-service experiences that truly work for everyone.