Global Scans · Retail · Weekly Summary

• [New] Retailers such as Marks & Spencer dealt with major cybersecurity issues, resulting in supply chain disruption and a temporary halt to online shopping. Retail Systems
• [New] Brands could revisit their Incoterms - shifting from DDP to DAP or, in some cases, FOB - to redistribute part of the transport and duty burden to US retail partners. Le New Black
• [New] With a significant increase in sales, retail media is becoming arguably the most lucrative aspect of e-commerce, with expected growth rates in the coming years. Amaano blog
• [New] At the 2026 National Retail Federation show, Google Cloud unveiled an agentic solution to bring shopping and customer service together on a single interface that will be used by businesses including Kroger, Lowe's, and Woolworths. InternetRetailing
• [New] Between 2026 and 2030, adoption of returnless refund fraud detection solutions is expected to accelerate as retailers face mounting pressure from escalating return volumes and abuse rates. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Nearly all leading retailers have increased investments in AI, and 68% expect full deployment of agentic AI within 12-24 months, driving efficiency and smarter decision-making (NRF; Deloitte). FifthRow - Autonomous AI Apps for Research, Strategy, C
• [New] Approximately 66% of retail executives have brought onshoring or nearshoring of supply chains into their operational planning, rising sharply from pre-pandemic trends to address chronic disruptions (Deloitte). FifthRow - Autonomous AI Apps for Research, Strategy, C
• [New] The AR/VR retail segment is expected to grow at 28-32% CAGR through 2033, supported by improving hardware capabilities, declining hardware costs, and expanding consumer familiarity with immersive technologies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In 2026, artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept, it is a core capability shaping how retailers plan, allocate, and deliver products to customers. Merchmix
• [New] Two-fifths or £3.7bn of UK retail marketing and ecommerce spend will be disrupted by AI by 2030. Just Style
• [New] Retailers expect AI to deliver meaningful impact within the next 18 months, reflecting growing confidence in experimentation, while clear and scalable return on investment from AI is expected in two years. Yahoo Finance
• [New] 68% of retailers expect to deploy agentic AI capabilities within the next 2 years. Kasmo
• [New] According to Deloitte, nearly 95% of retail executives expect rising global trade pressures to increase costs, prompting organizations to redesign supply networks. Kasmo
• [New] Global disruptions, geopolitical changes, and increasing logistics costs are pushing retailers to rethink traditional supply chain models. Kasmo
• [New] Nearly 67% of retail executives expect to implement AI-driven personalization capabilities, allowing brands to deliver tailored experiences. Kasmo
• [New] Retail in 2026 will be defined by the ability to deliver highly personalized customer experiences across digital and physical channels. Kasmo
• [New] The National Retail Federation this week forecast that retail sales in 2026 will grow by 4.4% from 2025 to $5.6 trillion, based on a newly enhanced forecasting approach developed in partnership with Oxford Economics. NACS Daily
• ESG fund assets under management are projected to exceed $33.9 trillion globally by 2026, reflecting sustained growth in retail and institutional investor interest. Ankura.com
• Retail executives recognize the economic potential and importance of AI: 78% agree with the statement that AI will increase overall economic productivity and stimulate economic growth by 2030. valantic
• Retail media is the fastest-growing digital channel, with 14.1% growth projected in 2026. AFFiNCO
• Voice AI is changing that, which could be why around 65% of retail leaders said their businesses plan to adopt AI voice assistants in 2027. AOL

Last updated: 09 April 2026