Reimagining Retail in 2026
White Paper

Reimagining Retail in 2026

by commercetools

Reimagining Retail in 2026

About the White Paper

Agentic commerce is here — but there’s a catch. AI doesn’t fix weak infrastructure; it exposes it. Messy data leads to poor decisions, siloed systems create fragmented experiences and disconnected workflows undermine even the smartest agents.

The question is clear: Is retail truly ready for the next big thing? And what does it take to build the foundational readiness that makes AI, experiential retail and commerce workflows work together seamlessly?

The 2026 edition of our annual report, Reimagining Retail, delivers actionable insights for brands looking to future-proof their commerce for agentic experiences and beyond.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding the modern consumer: Behavior, intent and the rise of AI agents.
  • Critical battlegrounds and priorities for retailers: Agentic commerce, redesigned in-store experiences and optimized loyalty workflows.
  • The four elements of foundational readiness: From unified commerce to cross-protocol infrastructure.
  • Forward-thinking retailers leading the way: Including JD Sports, Pet Valu, and more.

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