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NRF 2026: Key Technology Takeaways at the Turning Point for Agentic and AI-Fueled, Data-Driven Retailing

Publisher IDC
Published Mar 27, 2026
Length 7 Pages
SKU # IDC21046739

Description

This IDC Perspective discusses how NRF 2026 marked a turning point on the road to agentic/AI-fueled retailing, taking a step forward from the experimentation stage to execution. Dominant themes arose around the critical need for a modernized unified data foundation to support successful AI/agentic AI initiatives, the importance of moving away from fragmented siloed data and systems to a unified, holistic view across operations, and changes retailers need to make to remain competitive as consumers increasingly embrace agentic shopping journeys."NRF 2026 highlighted the critical importance of unified, trusted, real-time data foundations essential to leverage data-driven AI/agentic AI to elevate customer experience, drive new levels of operational efficiency, and successfully compete amid today's fast-changing, volatile retail landscape," says Margot Juros, research director, Worldwide Retail AI, Platforms, and Technologies, IDC.

Table of Contents

7 Pages

Executive Snapshot

Key takeaways

Recommended actions

Situation Overview

Theme 1: Modernized data/infrastructure — the starting point for AI

Theme 2: Unified and integrated — new essentials for AI-fueled commerce

Examples

Theme 3: AI changes how shoppers shop — and how retailers retail

Examples

Theme 4: Transforming retail with AI agents

Examples

Advice for the Technology Buyer

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Related research

Synopsis

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