The Great BTN Bake (Take) Off — Retail Trends for 2026: How AI Will Change the Digital Shelf and IRL Customers Interactions | Reimagining Retail

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast · with Sky Canaves · January 7, 2026 · 25 min

Summary

This episode dives into the future of retail in 2026, focusing on how AI will revolutionize the digital shelf and transform in-person customer interactions. It provides a strategic look at how e-commerce businesses can adapt to AI-driven consumers and how brick-and-mortar stores can leverage human connection to thrive in an increasingly AI-influenced market, offering actionable insights for a balanced retail strategy.

Key takeaways

• Strategize for an AI-driven digital shelf by optimizing content for AI audiences, anticipating how AI will influence product discovery and recommendations.
• Develop robust in-store experiences that emphasize human connection and personalized service to differentiate from AI-powered online retail.
• Integrate AI ethically in customer-facing roles, balancing automation with human touch to maintain brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.
• Explore AI applications for predictive analytics in demand forecasting and inventory management to enhance operational efficiency.
• Invest in data privacy and security measures to build customer trust as AI becomes more pervasive in retail operations.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

Our analysts (or “bakers”) will compete in a Great British Bake Off–style episode, discussing how the digital shelf for ecommerce will adapt to speak to AI audiences and how retailers will counter AI’s rise by connecting with customers IRL. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Senior Analyst Blake Droesch. Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/ Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-trends-2026-how-ai-will-change-digital-shelf-irl-customers-interactions © 2026 EMARKETER

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Strategize for an AI-driven digital shelf by optimizing content for AI audiences, anticipating how AI will influence product discovery and recommendations.

What does this episode say about ai & automation?

Develop robust in-store experiences that emphasize human connection and personalized service to differentiate from AI-powered online retail.

What does this episode say about conversion & cro?

Integrate AI ethically in customer-facing roles, balancing automation with human touch to maintain brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.

What does this episode say about customer retention?

Explore AI applications for predictive analytics in demand forecasting and inventory management to enhance operational efficiency.

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?

Invest in data privacy and security measures to build customer trust as AI becomes more pervasive in retail operations.

Listen

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