Retail runs on iOS: Let's take a tour through Jamf’s booth at NRF 2026

Entering the hall: Apple devices are everywhere

Walking into the NRF 2026 show hall, one thing was immediately clear: iPhone, iPad and Mac are the devices business rely on every day. Familiar and intuitive, these devices are everywhere, powering communication, daily workflows and new product demos.

How do these devices come together to support retail at scale?

Take a stroll through iOS Avenue.

The Jamf booth walked retailers through the complete in-store journey. Demonstrating how properly connected, managed and secured Apple devices operate as a unified retail platform from front of house to back of store.

On the sales floor: Seamless omnichannel engagement

The journey begins when customers enter the store and an associate approaches ready to help, iPhone in hand. Powered by New Black’s EVA platform, it brings together inventory visibility, customer management and checkout all from one interface.

When the shopper asks about a limited-edition jacket, the associate seamlessly checks availability across locations and arranges same-day delivery.

The interaction feels natural because the technology stayed out of the way, allowing the experience to move forward without breaking focus on the customer.

Staying ready: Device health without disruption

Next, we shift focus shifts from selling to operational readiness, as screens show how devices across the sales floor are monitored quietly in the background. Using Streamline's Enterprise Manager and Smart Support to provide real-time visibility into device health and performance to proactively identify issues – and resolving them – before they can become a problem.

Infrastructure that scales: Power and connectivity simplified

The physical infrastructure that supports modern retail environments becomes the next point along the journey. Historically, iPads mounted to POS systems are often bulky and/or surrounded by a rat’s nest of cables. However, IPORT showcases how simplicity resolves this unsightly pain point by directing power and data through a single Ethernet cable using Power over Ethernet (PoE) to eliminate clutter.

A single cable:

• Powers the iPad
• Connects it to the network
• And supports traditional peripherals (like receipt printers and cash drawers)

This sleek configuration extends to self-service kiosks and digital displays across any store, resulting in a streamlined deployment model purpose-built for retail environments that is both consistent and easy to setup.

Behind the scenes: Clear execution from HQ to store

The next-to-last stop is the back of shop, where store operations depend on clear communication between HQ and stores. Instead of relying on legacy technologies, like hard-to-track email threads, obsolete paper checklists or disparate chat software, Zipline centralizes communications, helping teams maintain their focus by delivering dynamic, role-specific tasks and instructions directly to team member’s devices. Additionally, it’s unified design provides a platform for associates to ask questions or provide updates with context, so everyone is on the same page, always.

In the stockroom: Inventory that moves at retail speed

And finally, who could forget about inventory? The lifeblood of any retail location. Imagine an inventory platform that helps store associate’s complete counts in minutes instead of manually processes that can take hours.

That’s exactly what Nedap’s RFID-driven technology does by updating counts in real-time that not only surface hidden inventory, preventing overstocks and missed sales opportunities – shifting inventory from a “periodic task” to a true operational advantage.

What holds it all together?

Throughout the tour, one thing remains true throughout the retail journey: technology never requires manual input.

In true Apple fashion, “it just works.”

With iOS at the core and Jamf as the support foundation, retail technology simply stays out of the way, empowering the human connection that drives transformational retail experiences.

Jamf removes friction across the entire device lifecycle, allowing the team’s focus to remain on customers while the technology fulfills operational tasks. In short, facilitating a seamless experience for customers, end-users and IT.

Stepping back onto the show floor

After the retail journey has concluded, attendee’s return to the NRF show floor with a clearer understanding of how Apple devices are a crucial element of a unified retail platform.

And Jamf showed how our comprehensive solution, Jamf for Small Business, paired with partner solutions and anchored by the Apple ecosystem support real-world retail operations at scale.