State of Commerce 2026: Key Trends & Shifts

The frenetic pace of change in retail creates opportunities in the midst of all this disruption. In 2026, there will be much work to do to rethink supply chains, develop agentic commerce, and turn refunds and returns from a pain point into a differentiator. It will be hard work, but there will be some good times ahead for those who get it right.

How many times have you heard it said, "There has never been a better time to be in retail?" And how many times have you believed it? Industry experts say it, and they mean it in 2026. Not because there has never been an easier time, but because there have been some recent and dramatic events in retail, and there has never been a time that required as much creativity and innovative thinking. The stakes will be high, for sure, but so will the potential upside.