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By Bob Johns, associate editor

Hyperactive enthusiasm. That is how I describe this year's NRF Big Show in New York. At least 40 appointments, breakfasts, dinners, parties, a user conference, and no sleep over the course of four days could do nothing to put a damper on my experience as I witnessed the sheer vendor enthusiasm on the show floor this year.

As one vendor remarked, "Recent years have been filled with retailers looking — with no budget. This year they are coming in with budgets in hand — ready to buy!" This thought was echoed throughout the event. Vendor after vendor was excited about who was there, who they were meeting, and the response to their presentations. Another vendor I met with remarked that "the biggest difference between this year and last is the number of smiling faces." With all of the negativity in retail the past few years, seeing happy retailers and vendors is a breath of fresh air.

The show floor was filled to capacity with people on their iPhones, Androids, tablets … and I even thought I saw a Blackberry. So it was no surprise that, on the hardware side, mobility was one of the main topics everywhere. A wide variety of tablets showcased functionality for frontend use by associates, practical uses for store managers, utilitarian use throughout the supply chain, video and analytic use for LP managers, and of course mobile POS. A tablet featuring a 2D scanner and card reader which allows it to be fully multifunctional on the sales floor was promoted with the vendor noting that they were finding buyers right there at the show.

Hardware providers weren't the only ones showing off their mobile wares. The best hardware still needs great software, so there it was, showcased throughout the aisles. Mobile solutions for supply chain, workforce management, POS, and others were spotlighted by vendors everywhere. Software that allowed the customer to be truly mobile and bring etail carts to the store and move store carts to their mobile devices are now allowing for true cross-channel portability. Other software showcased the ability of sales floor associates to make recommendations to customers based on past purchase history and feedback the associates can access through their mobile devices.

As mobility moves mainstream, it appears retailers are willing to stay on the cutting edge of the technology from the back room to the sales floor and into the cloud. Realizing that they cannot be perceived as being "old school" and still grow market share with the mobile customer of today is motivating retailers to migrate to this new technology with amazing speed, something the retail industry is not known for.

All in all this year's Big Show was a resounding success with everyone I encountered. Retailers and vendors alike are looking forward to a prosperous and exciting year. Lastly, the only bad thing I can say about this year's show is … my feet still hurt!