iPhone 5 rumors are running rampant these days. The latest speculation is focusing on whether or not the iPhone will include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]I don’t think there’s any doubt that NFC will make it into the iPhone at point, but whether or not it will be with the upcoming iPhone 5 depends on who you listen to.

Quoting Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi last night, AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski wrote that the technology probably wouldn’t come in the iPhone 5. He correctly points out that the technology has to be adopted by merchants before it becomes popular among consumers.

However, references reports from BGR.com, Matthew Panzarino on Tuesday speculates that changes to Apple retail stores this week could point to NFC coming to the next iPhone.

Panzarino points to three specific changes: All point-of-sale devices have been taken offline; overnight sessions installing secret devices; and new tables with built-in cash wraps.

BGR.com is also reporting that Apple may be planning something big for its retail anniversary this Thursday.

This report mirrors things that I have been told by my own sources, although I couldn’t determine what exactly is happen.