According to Gartner, retail IT spending will reach $240.7 billion by 2026, driven by margin pressures and the need for operational efficiency. The question isn’t whether to invest. It’s how to separate transformative technology from expensive distractions.
Working alongside retail leaders across the country, we’re seeing trends that will set the pace for technology in 2026. Here’s what operators are gearing up for as they get ahead of the curve.
1. AI agents are becoming your new customers
The biggest shift in retail? AI agents now shop on behalf of consumers, handling discovery, comparison, and purchase without ever visiting your website. According to McKinsey, agentic commerce could represent $1 trillion in US B2C retail by 2030.
And the numbers back this up. Bain & Company research shows between 30% and 45% of US consumers use Generative AI for product research, and 17% plan to start holiday shopping with ChatGPT or Perplexity instead of Google.
This raises a few critical questions: Are you optimizing for AI agent discoverability, or still investing in channels that AI systems bypass entirely? And are you also exploring how AI could proactively reach your customers more effectively?
Retailers have a distinct advantage here. Bain’s research also shows shoppers trust retailer-owned agents three times more than third-party platforms. Build your own agent now or watch third parties become the middleman.
2. Omnichannel demands break down silos
Disconnected systems are costing retailers growth. The choice is simple: deliver seamless experiences or lose customers to competitors who can.
The ROI is undeniable. According to the 2025 Retail Capability Index, retailers using unified commerce platforms see 3X revenue growth and 31% lower fulfillment costs compared to those running siloed systems.
Unified platforms deliver what disconnected systems can’t: real-time inventory across every location, consistent pricing regardless of channel, and a single customer view that enables personalization at scale.
3. Cybersecurity extends to store-level devices
Connected stores mean more vulnerabilities. POS systems, security cameras, Wi-Fi networks, and mobile payment devices all represent potential entry points for cybercriminals.
The cost is real. According to industry research, the average cost of a data breach in retail was $3.54 million in 2025, with 80% of retailers experiencing some form of cyberattack.
These breaches don’t just compromise data. They shut down operations. A compromised POS system halts checkout during peak hours. Vulnerable Wi-Fi networks become backdoors into corporate systems. Customer trust erodes with every incident.
Retailers are strengthening store-level security through a combination of device authentication, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring to detect threats before they escalate.
4. Edge computing enables real-time store intelligence
Stores generate massive amounts of data from digital screens, cameras, POS systems, and IoT sensors. Sending it all to the cloud and waiting for responses creates lag retailers can’t afford.
Edge computing processes data locally at the store level, allowing decisions to happen in milliseconds instead of minutes. Shelves empty? Instant alerts. Lines backing up? Immediate response. Systems react to conditions on the ground, not data from the cloud.
What changed? The economics. Edge technology costs have fallen while capabilities have improved, making 2026 the year edge computing moves from pilots to production. Retailers building this capability now gain speed advantages competitors can’t match.
5. Predictive engagement moves beyond browsing habits
Waiting for customers to browse before serving recommendations? You’re already behind.
Advanced AI now predicts customer needs before the search happens. Weather patterns, local events, and real world signals all become triggers. When a cold snap hits, retailers using predictive models are already promoting winter coats and adjusting inventory.
The challenge? Balance. If timing feels too perfect, customers see invasion, not value. Master this balance and you’ll capture demand others miss entirely.
6. Smarter workforce management platforms arrive
Legacy scheduling systems can’t keep pace with retail demands. Workforce management platforms are evolving into strategic tools that optimize staffing in real time.
According to Gartner projections, intelligent workforce management can drive up to 4.5% efficiency gains in industries like retail where labor represents 20 to 30% of operating expenses.
The new platforms do what spreadsheets and legacy systems can’t. They learn from historical patterns to prevent coverage gaps before they happen. Employees manage shifts and availability through mobile apps. Managers receive alerts when staffing issues emerge. Task assignments adjust automatically based on who’s working and current store conditions.
The business impact extends beyond labor cost optimization. Better scheduling reduces turnover. Employee flexibility improves retention rates. And properly staffed stores consistently deliver superior customer experiences.
Preparing for 2026 starts now
Retail is changing quickly, but you do not need to navigate the shift alone. The organizations that excel in 2026 will be those supported by partners who help them choose the right path and execute it with confidence.
One Source is that partner. We work with you to build outcome driven strategies, select best-fit technologies, and manage full deployment, so these trends deliver value where it matters most.
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