Expert Predictions For E-Commerce In 2026

E-commerce sat right in the middle of a difficult year for retail funding. Tracxn recorded $22.6 billion raised across the retail sector during 2024, spread over 1,771 funding rounds. That total went down 34% compared with the year before, according to both Tracxn and CB Insights.

Online retail felt this more than many other areas. The Plug and Play report links this to investor money flowing toward healthcare instead. Silicon Valley Bank tracked steady growth in healthcare funding during the year, and the World Economic Forum reported that health AI alone reached $11 billion in the US. That left less capital circulating around e-commerce platforms.

Competition also weighed heavily on online retail. Plug and Play describes an overcrowded e-commerce market where many platforms sell similar products through similar channels. That made it harder for newer e-commerce firms to show strong global growth, which dampened investor appetite.

Which Parts Of E-Commerce Keep Attracting Money?

Payments and finance tools linked to e-commerce stood out. PitchBook reported that retail fintech funding reached $12.1 billion in 2024, a 55% year-over-year increase. Many of these companies build tools used directly inside e-commerce checkouts, loyalty schemes, and online credit products.

Artificial intelligence remained tightly linked to e-commerce investment. Crunchbase said AI accounted for 35% of all venture capital funding during 2024. CB Insights added that more than $3 billion went into generative AI tools used in e-commerce, often tied to search, customer service chat tools, and warehouse operations.

Early-stage ec-ommerce ideas also continued to attract backing. Tracxn found that 49% of retail funding rounds targeted seed-stage companies. The United States led ecommerce investment activity, accounting for 39% of total retail funding.

How Is E-Commerce Expected To Look In 2025?

The Plug and Play report refers to heavier use of AI across e-commerce during 2025. Nvidia reported that over 60% of retailers plan to increase spending on AI systems within the next 18 months, covering online shopping tools and back-end systems.

EMarketer expects US social commerce sales to pass $100 billion in 2025. Plug and Play links this growth to platforms such as TikTok, where users browse, interact, and buy without leaving the app.

Resale also shapes ecommerce activity as ThredUp projects the resale market will reach $350 billion by 2028, growing 6.4 times faster than traditional clothing sales. Fortune reported that more than 50% of consumers bought secondhand clothing during 2023, much of it through e-commerce platforms.

Post-purchase services now carry more weight as online sales volumes grow. Voxco projects global e-commerce sales will reach $8.1 trillion by 2026, increasing pressure on brands to manage deliveries, returns, and customer communication after checkout.

Tthe Plug and Play data is showing us that e-commerce is entering a quieter funding period, shaped less by rapid growth stories and more by tools that support payments, social shopping, resale, and everyday online buying habits.

2026 Expert Predictions for E-Commerce

We spoke to some top industry professionals to find out their expert predictions for e-commerce in 2026.

Our Experts:

• Purva Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO, Lily AI
• Steve Weiss, CEO & Co-Founder, Snakkidz
• Juan Castells, Marketing Manager, Arke Agency
• Karina Tymchenko, Founder, Brandualist
• Kenneth Eade, E-Commerce Laywer, AMZ Sellers Attorney
• Alain Cohen, Growth Lead, Famla AI
• Shikha Jain, Lead Partner for Consumer and Retail, North America, Simon-Kucher
• Max Walter, Director, Simon-Kucher
• Doug Straton, CMO, Bazaarvoice
• Vitalii Khyzhniak, Head of Social Shopping, Teikametrics
• Emmanuel Tamrat, FounderM, Blindspot Agency
• David Hunter, CEO, Local Falcon
• Shawn Zaripov, Ecommerce SEO Expert
• Mike Billman, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Console Vault
• Matt Reid, CMO, Kinsta
• Sanjay Sarathy, VP of Developer Experience and Self Service, Cloudinary
• Ivan Borovikov, Co-Founder, Maestra
• Romain Fouache, CEO, Akeneo

Purva Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO at Lily AI

“In 2026, the biggest shift won’t be more AI; it will be trust in AI.

“As platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity evolve into shopping and discovery agents, and gain consumer adoption, people will start questioning the intent behind what’s being recommended. When an “AI influencer” (and yes, AI influencers are coming!) or a virtual agent suggests a product, people will wonder: Why this one? Is the information accurate? Did this brand pay to be the answer to my prompt? Is it really relevant for me?

“And I do think we’ll see the first wave of those paid product placements inside AI-driven search and checkout experiences. It’s coming. Soon.

“For brands, this means the foundation of trust will move from messaging to data transparency. In the age of AI discovery, visibility will matter less than credibility. The real differentiator will be product data that both consumers and algorithms can verify and trust.”

Steve Weiss, CEO and Co-Founder at Snakkidz

In 2026, ecommerce will continue to evolve as a highly personalized and immersive experience. With advancements in AI and machine learning, brands will leverage hyper-targeted marketing strategies to deliver tailored shopping experiences that feel almost intuitive. (Speak to the individual)

“Social commerce will dominate, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and emerging players becoming primary shopping destinations. Live shopping by influencers will be a game-changer, allowing brands to connect with audiences in real time, showcase products authentically, and drive immediate purchases. This blend of entertainment and commerce will create a new level of engagement and trust with consumers. (Old school QVC meets Amazon Live but by influencer creators)

“Sustainability will remain a key driver, with customers demanding transparency in sourcing, packaging, and shipping practices. Brands that prioritize eco-friendly initiatives will not only win customer loyalty but also stand out in a crowded marketplace.

“Finally, the rise of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will redefine how customers interact with products online. From virtual try-ons to immersive brand experiences, ecommerce will become more engaging and interactive than ever before.

“At Snakkidz, we’re preparing for this future by focusing on personalized customer journeys, sustainable practices, and leveraging digital media and live shopping to connect with our audience in meaningful ways.”

Juan Castells, Marketing Manager at Arke Agency

“With Agentic Commerce being rolled out, two areas that will make or break retailers will be data cleansing and an evolved retention strategy.

“Data cleansing will be crucial for the GPTs to be able to understand and match your products with the queries being asked. This sounds simple but it could be a real headache if your product taxonomy is not something you have been paying atention to.

“Retention and loyalty must evolve as there will be no longer a requirement to go to a specific retailer’s website for shopping anymore. Whilst some may consider this a democratisation of eCommerce, offering an excellent post shopping experience and messaging will help to re-create the loyalty that brands have been working on for many years to have via personalisation and targeted website-only campaigns.”

For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.

Karina Tymchenko, Founder at Brandualist

“By 2026, ecommerce will be more about consumers developing an emotional connection to a brand as well as purchasing a product; consumers will no longer simply “shop” for products from a brand but rather engage with the brands which provide an interactive experience based upon the consumer’s own personal preferences or interests, the brands that are perceived as having an authentic voice and value system and also create a sense of community for their customers.

At Brandualist, we are currently working with many clients that have seen success in regards to this model by using content and commerce together on platforms such as TikTok Shop (where it is often difficult to distinguish the difference between the act of “browsing” versus “buying”). The most successful brands will be the ones that build the foundation of a relationship with their customers by telling stories about the values of the company, providing social proof and creating a seamless digital experience. Shopping should be viewed as a form of conversation, not a form of exchange.”

Kenneth Eade, E-Commerce Laywer at AMZ Sellers Attorney

“E-Commerce sellers can expect faster, more automated enforcement and a continued rise in mass IP lawsuits that freeze marketplace payouts via TROs. The sellers who survive (and grow) will run court-aware playbooks, build documentation discipline, and treat proof-of-origin like a ranking factor.

“1) Mass IP lawsuits and TRO freezes will remain a major threat:
Batch-defendant (Schedule A) intellectual property infringement filings and payout freezes by temporary restraining orders which are routinely granted in certain courts, like the Northern District of Illinois, will keep hitting sellers with little warning. When funds are restrained by court order, internal platform support can’t solve it—sellers need a court-aware strategy and settlement language that tells marketplaces exactly when and how funds can be released.

“2) Enforcement will get faster—and more automated:
Platforms will continue shifting toward instant holds, takedowns, and restrictions triggered by automated risk signals (linked accounts, unusual sourcing patterns, sudden catalog changes, review behavior), with fewer “warning” steps and less human discretion.

3) Proof-of-origin will become routine:
Marketplaces will increasingly punish sellers who cannot prove authenticity and supply chain. Clean invoices, traceability, consistent product metadata, and chain-of-title documentation won’t just prevent suspensions—they’ll become a competitive advantage in restricted categories, brand conflicts, and dispute resolution.

“Implications for sellers

“Cashflow risk becomes existential: a TRO freeze can shut down revenue overnight and force rushed decisions.

“Documentation quality becomes business quality: sloppy records turn into platform risk.

“Operational consistency beats clever marketing: the fastest path to reinstatement or survival is often evidence and process—not arguments.

“What sellers should do now:

“Build a “TRO emergency kit”: preserve evidence immediately (screenshots, order data, communications), freeze risky listing changes, and double check invoices and supply chain documentation before listing items.

“Standardise “proof-of-origin” files: maintain clean invoices/POs, supplier agreements, authorization letters (if applicable), shipping records, product/packaging photos, and a simple chain-of-title summary per SKU/ASIN.

“Create a “risk signals SOP”: define rules for listing edits, variation changes, login/device access, pricing spikes, review requests, and supplier onboarding—with logs and approvals.

Digitise for rapid response: sellers should be able to produce a complete evidence packet within hours, not days.

“If sued or funds frozen: prioritize settlement terms and court orders that clearly instruct marketplaces on listing handling and fund release mechanics (timing, conditions, documentation).”

For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.

Alain Cohen, Growth Lead at Famla AI

“Prediction #1:

“In 2026, automation will no longer be a competitive advantage by itself. It will be a force multiplier for better or worse.

“As AI, RPA, and autonomous tools spread across ecommerce operations (order management, customer support, fulfillment, pricing, returns), companies with poorly understood or undocumented processes will amplify their own dysfunction.

“If you automate a broken process, you don’t fix it: you produce errors faster, at scale.

“The next wave of operational maturity will be driven by AI-powered process mapping with tools like Famla AI, which allows companies to:
1- Understand how work actually gets done (not how it’s supposed to work)
2- Document processes quickly and continuously
3- Optimise workflows before automating them

“Process clarity will become a prerequisite for successful AI adoption in ecommerce; not a “nice to have.”

“Ecommerce companies with documented processes will outperform and take market share from those without.”

“Prediction #2:

““Vibe Managing” will emerge: the business equivalent of vibe coding

“Just as vibe coding is making software development accessible to non-engineers, vibe managing will do the same for business operations and ecommerce management.

“In practice, this means:
1- Managers describe business goals in plain language
2- AI engages autonomously with the team to make these goals a reality
3- Best-practice operational thinking becomes accessible without an MBA or hiring expensive consultants”

“For ecommerce companies that cannot afford top-tier consulting firms, tools like Famla AI will democratise expert-level management, enabling:
– Faster execution
– Better cross-team alignment
– More resilient operations in fast-changing markets”

Shikha Jain, Lead Partner for Consumer and Retail North America at Simon-Kucher

1. Shifting Roles – Ecommerce fast growth will chip away at brick-and-mortar retail as savvy consumers become more comfortable shopping online. We saw this noticeable shift with Black Friday sales as ecommerce sales grew 10% over in-store sales at 1.7%, compared to the previous year.
2. Endless Aisle – Retailers will modernize further with stronger omnichannel platforms and Endless Aisle convenience where customers will shop a retailer’s full assortment at any time with every item is available and in all sizes.
3. AI Discovery – The role of AI will rapidly enhance ecommerce shopping experiences with greater product discovery, alerting consumers to product comparisons, deal alerts, price tracking and promotions.
4. Digital Natives – Retailers that deliver a combination of stock reliability, omnichannel options and rapid product discovery will be best positioned in 2026. Younger digitally native consumers will lead the charge.

Max Walter, Director at Simon-Kucher

1. “Revenue continues to increase, but units halt – Ecommerce sales performance will rise modestly, driven by higher prices and premium mix, while units per customer stay flat or decline.
2. “Affordability polarization accelerates -Spend concentrates at the high and low ends of the market. Retailers must win either on price accessibility or premium justification while the undifferentiated middle continues to erode.
3. “Generational strategies diverge sharply – Gen Z demands authenticity, community, perceived fairness under tighter budgets, and expresses a distrust in established corporations, while older cohorts pay for quality and convenience.
4. “Personalisation becomes table stakes, not a differentiator – AI-driven personalization across pricing cues, assortment, and personalized messaging is required to convert cautious shoppers and secure loyalty in a slower-volume environment.”

For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.

Doug Straton, CMO at Bazaarvoice

“2025, especially this holiday season, has proved that online shopping is fast – but not always smart. Our data shows that while 75% of holiday purchases happened online, shoppers were nearly five times more likely to experience regret compared to in-store buyers. In a time when budgets are tight and consumers are making every dollar count, impulse buying is no longer a luxury they can afford. Going into 2026, brands that focus solely on speed and convenience will struggle, while those that prioritize trust, transparency, and shopper confidence will lead the next wave of e-commerce growth.

“Brands that put real user perspectives front and center – through human-generated reviews, photos, Q&A, etc. – will reduce regret, increase conversion, and build long-term loyalty. AI-powered tools will make these insights even more accessible, surfacing the most relevant content to help shoppers make confident choices quickly. In 2026, the most successful e-commerce brands won’t just be fast or visually appealing, they will be credible, transparent, and deeply aligned with the needs and expectations of their customers – driven by the feedback those same customers provide.”

Vitalii Khyzhniak, Head of Social Shopping at Teikametrics

“I guess TikTok Shopwill continue to growth. They doubled their sales im 2024 and 2025. I expect 2026 will be next double boom for them (around $150b+). first why is because they are sooo focused on hiring / adding new brands + they have a lot of open initiatives for it. second why a lot of brands understood the value from this platfrom. it is not an egagement platform as it was a few year ago, it is a fully functional marketplace. and more brands will treat it like it .

“With that said, Amazon and Walmart will lose some ad $ and volume is sales. TikTok Shop will be so close to them for the market piece. Brands will allocate more budget to TikTok Shop affiliate collaborations and live shopping, with live shopping expected to see huge growth.

“Traditional marketplaces will also invest more in internal AI shopping tools (for search and recommendations). Amazon will make a bold move, likely testing AI-driven purchase flows or deeper integrations that transform the shopping experience. Maybe some crypto payments will appear for bold testing as WalletConnect are making it way easier for brands to add crypto as a payment option right next to Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

“And of course, omnichannel analytics will make a huge difference this year. We have with you a huge amount of new platforms, apps, keywords, affiliates, and other sources for brand sales. The sad part they don’t have any transparency They are not consistent with data driven decision. Currently, this area remains a black box for many brands.”

Emmanuel Tamrat, FounderM at Blindspot Agency

“AI traffic becomes the fastest-growing acquisition channel.

“I saw this start slowly with the shift from desktop to mobile beginning in 2013 with my client Lost & Found, then seeing it explode in 2020 while I was at SSENSE. In 2025, I saw record traffic gains for my clients in both AI overviews and direct traffic from platforms like Chatgpt. 2026 will force brands to optimize for AI Overviews (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) as more shoppers rely on AI assistants (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini) brands not optimizing their properties with AI-readable content will see their traffic disappear before they can figure out what happened.

“Short form Video further dominates in search results. Platforms become better and better at understanding the keywords embedded in tik tok and reels content leading to better rankings than blogs and traditional niche sites. Brands will treat influencers as an SEO opportunity rather than just a social media play.

“Better logistics becomes a massive marketing advantage. SSENSE excelled at this where shipping was very complex but unbelievably efficient even for international customers. As Amazon’s influence continues, and service disruptions become the norm (ie. Canada post), customers demands for faster shipping will force brands to find creative solutions and new logistics companies will spring up. I see this with my coffee client Doppio as they move some of their shipping to local bike delivery to keep up with customer expectations this year. Free delivery has always been a huge conversion boost, and brands who come up with creative solutions to speed up shipping will win in 2026.”

David Hunter, CEO at Local Falcon

“E-commerce is already starting to feel less like online shopping and more like having a personal virtual shopping assistant. Consumers no longer sort through endless tabs. Instead, they ask AI for exactly what they need and get exact, instant, tailored answers. As this trend continues to shift and evolve, retailers need to ensure their product data, reviews, pricing, and inventory are clean, consistent, and easily understood by AI systems. If not, they risk being left out of the conversation entirely. When agentic AI begins to place and manage orders autonomously, real-time accuracy on product availability will be crucial. The brands that adapt and make themselves easily discoverable and scannable will be the true winners of 2026.”

“I think e-commerce competition will get even tougher. On one side, Amazon keeps pushing prices, delivery speed, and customer expectations higher. On the other side, tariffs like the Trump ones (or similar policies) can easily squeeze margins, especially for brands relying on imports.

“Because of this, only companies with a solid marketing plan will make it. The real winners will be teams with experienced specialists who know how to avoid wasting money on born-dead ideas and focus only on things that already proved they work. There’s no room anymore for guessing or chasing trends. If it doesn’t bring results, it’s just a cost.”

Shawn Zaripov, E-Commerce SEO Expert

“I think e-commerce competition will get even tougher. On one side, Amazon keeps pushing prices, delivery speed, and customer expectations higher. On the other side, tariffs like the Trump ones (or similar policies) can easily squeeze margins, especially for brands relying on imports.

Because of this, only companies with a solid marketing plan will make it. The real winners will be teams with experienced specialists who know how to avoid wasting money on born-dead ideas and focus only on things that already proved they work. There’s no room anymore for guessing or chasing trends. If it doesn’t bring results, it’s just a cost.”

Mike Billman, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at Console Vault

“My big prediction for ecommerce in 2026 is that as AI makes everything more polished, the brands that embrace imperfection will win. Here’s what I mean by this. AI tools are getting better and better at creating flawless product photos, perfectly optimized ad copy, and perfect-looking landing pages, but the brands that actually succeed will be the ones willing to look a little messy and real.

“Consumers, especially younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials, have developed this AI-content radar that’s basically allows them to spot over-produced, AI-generated content instantly and they scroll right past it.

“Knowing this, I think that brands that do well in 2026 will be focusing on behind-the-scenes content. Think founder stories, real customer wins, products shown in real-world use.
I’ve already noticed this working, brands like Duolingo and Patagonia for example consistently outperform competitors because their content feels human, imperfect, and real. The bottom line is that is doesn’t scream AI generated. That “imperfect” content is driving much higher engagement than polished, AI-heavy alternatives.

“Trust is more important than ever due to AI. When everything looks perfect and nothing feels genuine, the brands willing to show vulnerability, admit mistakes, and feature real people are the ones that build loyalty that actually lasts.
What brands should do now:
– Put employees and founders in front of the camera (bad lighting included)
– Show failed prototypes and product iterations
– Be upfront about product limitations in marketing
– Prioritise UGC over studio-perfect photography or AI generated images
– Let your brand voice be weird, funny, opinionated. Basically, be human.

“For us, here is how we look at it: we make heavy-duty steel safes that get installed with power tools. It’s not a glamorous thing, but we try to show real truck owners doing real installs, and this type of real content outperforms a staged or AI photo every time.”

Matt Reid, CMO at Kinsta

Infrastructure as Strategy
“What CMOs are finally waking up to in 2026 is how deeply hosting shapes visibility in both traditional search and AI-powered discovery. Slow sites don’t just frustrate users, they actively hurt SEO rankings and get bypassed by AI systems like ChatGPT and Perplexity that prioritize fast-loading, reliable sources. When your infrastructure can’t deliver sub-second performance, you’re not just losing conversions, you’re losing the chance to be cited, recommended and found.”

Omnichannel Evolution
“Omnichannel isn’t dead. In fact, it will be reborn in 2026, moving from everywhere to intentional for specific use cases. Brands that want a competitive edge will integrate an ecosystem where every interaction informs the next. The result? Increased loyalty, and accelerated revenue that equips marketers with the insights needed to make smarter, business-informed decisions.”

Customer Experience Imperative
“The mandate for CMOs in 2026 is clear: today’s customers expect brands to recognise them, anticipate their needs, and deliver personalized experiences across every channel. A truly integrated strategy doesn’t just ensure consistent messaging; it builds trust, deepens engagement and creates a durable competitive advantage by unifying the customer journey and amplifying growth opportunities.”

For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.

Sanjay Sarathy, VP of Developer Experience and Self Service at Cloudinary

“AI is changing how people discover products, not just buy them, which means in 2026, your ‘documentation’ is becoming the new storefront. When shoppers ask an AI assistant for help, the AI gathers its info from the clearest, most trusted sources it can find. So in 2026, the ecommerce brands that will win, will be the ones whose content is simple, finely structured, and easy to understand.

“2026 is going to be the year that truly illustrates how people will not always land on your homepage anymore, and instead AI will be delivering consumers the first answer it trusts, which will have one short and correct explanation. With the combination of so many places to shop and easy AI assistance, shoppers are after fast clarity. The brands who speak clearly to both humans and machines will be the ones AI recommends. In the end, trust becomes a multiplier: better answers, means better placement, which means more loyal customers.”

Ivan Borovikov, Co-Founder at Maestra

“Here is my prediction: the fragmented approach to channel management collapses under its own weight.

Where Complexity Comes From
“In recent years, we’re seeing explosive growth in both the number of customer touchpoints and the quality of those interactions.

“Number of touchpoints: Brands that once relied solely on email are now developing SMS, RCS, push notifications, and messaging apps. AI assistants have emerged as a fundamentally new sales channel. Naturally, this makes customer experience management far more complex.

“Quality of interactions: Brands are moving beyond cramped SMS messages where every character is worth its weight in gold. They’re embracing RCS and WhatsApp campaigns – channels that support rich content like buttons, images, and detailed product information. Instead of a bland “5% off everything” message, customers now receive an RCS featuring a photo of a product they browsed, complete with specs and a personalized discount. Brands are learning to deliver this level of sophistication at scale.

Two Paths Forward
“The explosion in channels and interaction quality creates a critical question: how do you manage it all? I’m seeing two main approaches emerge:

“One touchpoint – one team – one tool. These brands split their marketing teams into separate departments, each managing their own channel with their own platform. Often this means hiring multiple agencies – one for Shopify, one for email and SMS, another for social – and orchestrating their work internally.

“Centralisation. These brands build internal teams with cross-channel expertise and equip them with an all-in-one marketing platform. Everything runs from a single window, eliminating the resource drain of syncing multiple tools and switching between systems.

Why Centralisation Wins
“In the long run, centralised platforms win over fragmented setups. And for multiple reasons:
Journey-wide personalization. Unified platforms let marketers orchestrate complete experiences. A customer clicks your email, lands on your site, sees their cart pre-loaded with the exact offer. Fragmented systems can’t sync fast enough to deliver this.

“Cost efficiency. Agency fees, integration maintenance, data syncing – fragmented setups burn budget on coordination instead of customer value. Unified platforms remove this overhead. Among our clients, we’ve seen martech costs drop by up to 64%.

“Scalable growth. New touchpoints plug in without new vendors or complex integrations. You can start with email and on-site personalization, then pile up referral or loyalty programs, WhatsApp, and push notifications, all from one platform.

“AI readiness. The wave of AI tools requires rich customer data. All-in-one platforms provide unified profiles instantly. Fragmented stacks require months of custom integration work first.

The Bottom Line
“The winners will be brands that centralize early. One platform. One view of the customer. One team designing complete journeys instead of isolated touchpoints. This isn’t just more efficient, it’s the only way to deliver seamless experiences across dozens of channels.”

Romain Fouache, CEO at Akeneo

“In 2025, we saw consumers “rediscovering” the allure of in-person shopping. Gen Z returned to malls, Walmart spent more than $110 million buying malls, and online-first brands (like Shein) opened physical stores. While in-person shopping is gaining popularity once again, online channels are struggling to deliver. eCommerce’s main advantage is convenience, but it may not be enough to match consumers’ omnichannel expectations. To build a true omnichannel customer experience, brands need to double down on accuracy, consistency, and transparency across every channel – not just in-store or online.

“It’s also crucial to acknowledge the emergence of LLM-powered search and discovery as an entirely new channel for product search and discovery, and increasingly for purchase as well. Consumers increasingly rely on AI assistants to research and validate products, meaning brands must ensure accurate, consistent, and transparent product information is accessible and readable to LLMs. The challenge here is that many organizations still rely on fragmented data systems and siloed ownership across teams, resulting in complete or inconsistent product data. Without strong data foundations and cross-functional governance, brands risk losing control over how their products are represented in AI-powered experiences.”

Insights on AI commerce expectations:
“In 2026, we’ll see a major shift in retail as AI commerce becomes more mainstream. Already, retailers like Walmart and Target are integrating AI into their omnichannel operations. As customers’ expectations towards these tools grow, the success of these technologies hinges on consumer trust. A recent study from Akeneo found that only 27% of shoppers who tried AI checkout plan to continue using it. If shoppers can’t trust AI’s accuracy, it could impact their loyalty to a brand altogether. The key to success in 2026 lies in how well brands can demonstrate the benefits of AI by ensuring the tools themselves can deliver transparent, consistent, and reliable product data, which has become the cornerstone of best-in-class customer experiences.”

For any questions, comments or features, please contact us directly.