Global Scans · Retail · Weekly Summary

• [New] In 2026, the retail, banking, and healthcare sectors are projected to save €11 billion annually in operational costs. Watermelon
• [New] Global retail e-commerce sales reached approximately US$ 5.8 trillion in 2023 and are projected to exceed US$ 8 trillion by 2027. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Whole Foods is putting Mill's technology in stores starting in 2027, which is a good sign for longevity. Popular Science
• [New] The U.S. Census Bureau reports e-commerce has surpassed 16% of total retail sales, driving warehouse absorption, while the United Nations projects nearly 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050, deepening office and retail demand. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The global FMCG industry is expected to keep being one of the most competitive sectors in 2026, pushed by shifting consumer expectations, omnichannel retail expansion, AI powered decision making, and the continuous pressure on profit margins. Global Risk Community
• [New] Major technology companies, including Google, Amazon, and Apple, are investing substantially in voice commerce capabilities, creating ecosystem opportunities for AI sales assistant software vendors to integrate with emerging voice-enabled retail platforms. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Retailers are rapidly expanding investments in digital technologies and AI, with most already integrating AI agents into daily operations and nearly three-quarters expecting enterprise-scale deployment within 2027. MarketingProfs
• [New] Retailers are bracing for higher tariffs and trade uncertainty as Iran-related risks disrupt supply chains. APL Logistics
• [New] By 2026, leading retailers will have deployed sophisticated conversational AI agents that function as genuine shopping assistants rather than simple FAQ responders. AI Conference London
• [New] By 2026, the concept of personalization in retail will have matured significantly beyond product recommendations based on past purchases. AI Conference London
• [New] Retail fresh vegetables-led by spikes in lettuce (up 32.1%) and tomatoes (up 19.5%) - are projected to rise 6.8% over the course of 2026. Hoosier Ag Today
• [New] Annual Forecast: ERS forecasters project that retail beef and veal prices will surge 10.7% overall for 2026. Hoosier Ag Today
• [New] As logistics networks become more efficient and online retail adoption expands across developing economies, digital commerce is expected to remain a key growth catalyst for FMCG companies globally. Persistence Market Research
• More than 40,000 stores could close over the next five years as the following forces continue pulling sales away from physical retail locations. The Supply Chain Source
• Retail media sees continued double digit growth 12.3% in 2026 and 11.4% in 2027. dentsu
• Latin America is anticipated to experience robust growth in savory snack categories over the next few years as retail infrastructure expands into smaller metropolitan areas across Brazil and Mexico. Market Data Forecast
• In 2026, LuLu Group launched SWFT by LuLu in Saudi Arabia, targeting metro stations and fuel stations with a plan to open 100 convenience stores by 2030. Woodstone Research & Consulting

Last updated: 30 July 2026