WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is postponing its Big Show annual convention and expo, normally held in January, until June 2021. But NRF said Thursday that it also plans to hold a virtual event in January. Both events will feature the theme “Forward Together.”

“The health and safety of our team, industry partners and global attendees is our number one priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “Given the understandable concerns among all of our stakeholders regarding the availability and effectiveness of treatments or a vaccine for the coronavirus, we have concluded it is not feasible to maintain our original schedule of an in-person January 2021 trade show, and have decided to reimagine the NRF 2021 annual meeting and convention.”

NRF said its major exhibitors, sponsors and partners unanimously supported the decision to move the “in-person” exposition and conference to June 2021. That event, scheduled for June 6 through June 8, will include self-guided store tours, expo tours, membership and red carpet lounges, workshops and social events both on and off the show floor at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The January virtual event — scheduled for January 12-14, 19 and 21-22 — will be online only include a digital exposition.

“For over 100 years, NRF’s annual convention has been the biggest, best and most impactful event that convenes industry leaders to exchange visionary ideas, build partnerships and experience new technologies,” Shay said. “In 2021, we are able to double down on our efforts to explore an exciting future for retail with two unique events,. This is the time for creative and practical ideas that will shape retail’s future, and these are the events that will showcase those ideas with our visionary and innovative retail leaders and industry partners as we chart the path forward together.”