New York City isn’t just a place to live or work. It’s one of the most powerful growth environments for e-commerce brands.
What truly sets NYC apart is its strong e-com community. Founders, operators, agencies, and platforms actively share knowledge and collaborate, helping brands grow faster and avoid costly mistakes.
NYC also hosts the largest retail and e-commerce conferences in the world, alongside a constant flow of meetups, panels, and niche events focused on Shopify, DTC, and CPG brand. From major industry conferences to weekly DTC gatherings, brands have endless opportunities to learn, network, and stay ahead of trends, all without leaving the city.
For e-commerce brands looking to grow smarter, faster, and with fewer missteps, NYC isn’t just a good place to be. It’s the best place to be.
Here is your guide to the must-attend e-commerce and retail events in New York City for 2026 that are worth your time, budget, and networking energy. See the full lineup here
NRF Retail's Big Show
When:
January 11–13, 2026
Where:
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City
Tickets / Pricing:
From $0 for the Retail Expo Pass up to around $3,700 for an All‑Access Pass, depending on membership and options.
Why Attend / Overview:
NRF Retail’s Big Show is one of the most influential retail and e-commerce events in the world, bringing together thousands of professionals to explore future trends, innovative technologies, and practical strategies for growing retail businesses in a changing landscape. Expect hundreds of sessions, major keynotes, product demos, hands-on workshops, networking experiences, and an expansive expo floor featuring solution partners and tech innovators. There are also startup hubs, guided store tours, and dedicated innovation stages focused on topics like AI and emerging retail tech.
Who Should Attend:
• E-commerce and online retail leaders looking to stay ahead of industry trends
• DTC, CPG, and Shopify founders or operators seeking strategy and growth insights
• Retail technologists, innovation and product teams
• Marketing, operations, and analytics professionals exploring new tools and partnerships
Ecom Edit: Fashion East
When:
January 27, 2026
Where:
Convene 360 Madison Avenue, New York
Tickets / Pricing:
• Brand (Retailer/Brand) tickets start around $200
• Vendor/solution provider tickets around $1,500
Why Attend / Overview:
Fashion East is a one-day boutique event bringing together top fashion and apparel e-commerce experts and decision-makers from brands, retailers, merchants, and solution providers. The day features panel discussions, presentations, interactive roundtables, and one-on-one meetings covering e-commerce strategy, marketing, operations, customer experience, payments, shipping, loyalty, and more. It’s designed for idea sharing, education, and high-value networking within the fashion e-commerce space.
ASGTG
When:
March 5, 2026
Where:
Brooklyn, New York (Kol Yaakov Hall)
Tickets / Pricing:
From $81.75
Why Attend / Overview:
This long‑running e‑commerce seller and Amazon seller meetup focuses on practical insights for marketplace growth, AI strategies, and operational tactics. With multiple presentations, vendor networking, and community‑driven discussions, it’s ideal for service providers, marketplace sellers, and brands focused on Amazon and multi‑channel growth.
Who Should Attend:
• Amazon sellers and marketplace operators
• Private label and DTC brands
• E‑commerce service providers and vendors
The DTC Symposium at The Lead Summit 2026
When:
May 20–21, 2026
Where:
Pier 36, New York City
Tickets / Pricing:
From $0 for Brands and Media up to around $2,075 for General Admission. Early sign-ups and early bird pricing are available.
Why Attend / Overview:
The DTC Symposium is a dedicated program within The Lead Summit focused on direct-to-consumer growth, strategy, and networking. It brings together hundreds of DTC leaders, founders, operators, and brand builders for discussions on real-world tactics, emerging trends, and actionable insights in e-commerce, marketing, retail, and operations. Sessions cover topics like brand storytelling, customer acquisition, TikTok Shops and social commerce, wholesale and retail optimization, and cross-channel performance. The event also features curated networking opportunities, case studies, benchmarking roundtables, and a DTC Pitch Competition showcasing emerging brands.
Who Should Attend:
• DTC founders and brand leaders focused on growth and strategy
• Shopify, e-commerce, and online retail operators
• Marketing, customer experience, and operations teams looking for actionable insights
• Brands seeking networking and partnership opportunities with other high-growth companies
VISIONS Summit NYC 2026 (Future Commerce)
When:
May 28, 2026
Where:
New York City (exact venue details announced closer to the event)
Tickets / Pricing:
Pricing and registration details typically open before the event. Early sign-ups and early bird pricing are available.
Why Attend / Overview:
VISIONS Summit NYC is an immersive, forward-thinking event where commerce, culture, creativity, and brand strategy intersect. Rather than focusing only on tactics and tools, the summit explores how brands build meaning, narrative, and cultural impact in a ra pidly evolving e-commerce landscape. Attendees can expect a day of deep ideas, provocative presentations, and conversations designed to help them think beyond conventional practices and reimagine how commerce connects with culture and technology.
Who Should Attend:
• E-commerce and retail leaders
• Brand leaders, founders, and strategists
• Marketing, creative, and innovation professionals
CommerceNext Growth Show
When:
June 23–24, 2026
Where:
New York Hilton Midtown, NYC
Tickets / Pricing:
From $0 for Retailers & Brands up to $4,495 for General Admission
Why Attend / Overview:
This two‑day conference brings together retail and e‑commerce leaders for strategy‑focused sessions, keynotes from top brands, and deep dive discussions on marketing, customer experience, loyalty, omnichannel transformation, and emerging tech like AI. Expect actionable insights and networking with brands, tech partners, and decision‑makers shaping the future of commerce. Who Should Attend:
• E‑commerce and online retail leaders
• DTC, CPG, and Shopify founders
• Growth marketers, product and tech teams
DTC Live NYC
When:
September 15, 2026
Where:
New York City, The Standard, High Line
Tickets / Pricing:
From $70 for Retailers & Brands up to $960 for Tech. Use code ABKXYCETG at checkout for limited free tickets here
Why Attend / Overview:
One of the fastest‑growing e‑commerce and direct‑to‑consumer events on the East Coast, DTC Live focuses on brand storytelling, tech showcases, panels, and hands‑on networking opportunities. Attendees connect with founders and innovators in the e‑commerce community, explore new solutions, and share strategies for growth. Past editions have featured notable retail and tech brands, making it a dynamic gathering for online brand builders.
Who Should Attend:
• DTC founders and brand builders
• E‑commerce operators and marketers
• Shopify store owners and growth teams
Retail MediaX USA 2026
When:
November 12, 2026
Where:
New York City (venue details to be announced closer to the event)
Tickets / Pricing:
Details are typically released as registration opens
Why Attend / Overview:
Retail MediaX USA is a one-day conference focused on the fast-growing retail media space, where advertising, data, and commerce intersect. The event brings together brands, retailers, agencies, and technology leaders to explore how retail media networks are evolving across the U.S. Attendees can expect keynotes, panel discussions, practical sessions, and curated networking designed to share real strategies around first-party data, measurement, monetization, and brand-retailer collaboration.
Who Should Attend:
• E-commerce and online retail leaders looking to understand and leverage retail media
• DTC, CPG, and Shopify brand marketers and growth teams
• Retail media strategists, agency professionals, and ad tech innovators
• Executives responsible for media, data, partnerships, and customer engagement
Whether you live in NYC or are visiting, the city is the heart of e-commerce activity. It not only hosts events but creates experiences that turn ideas into action and connections into growth.
Want more events? See the full list here.