Akeneo predicts AI, regulatory changes will transform retail

Akeneo's 2025-2026 commerce outlook explains these developments volition person a important interaction connected however consumers discover, evaluate, and acquisition products, with reliable merchandise accusation becoming progressively important crossed each income channels.

According to the report, AI is being adopted rapidly successful retail, with large retailers specified arsenic Walmart implementing ChatGPT-assisted checkouts.

Despite this growth, Akeneo’s probe shows immoderate reluctance among shoppers with lone 27% of those who person utilized AI checkouts intending to usage them again.

Akeneo CEO Romain Fouache said: “AI doesn’t thrust income unless consumers spot it. In the 2025 vacation season, palmy brands were those that could assistance shoppers recognize however AI enhances accuracy, convenience and value.”

The outlook besides highlights a large displacement successful buying habits expected by 2026, with much than fractional of consumers apt to usage third-party apps alternatively than marque websites erstwhile making purchases.

As platforms similar Google, Amazon, and ChatGPT go salient arsenic conversational storefronts, Akeneo cautions that brands cannot beryllium solely connected drafting customers to their ain sites.

Fouache explained: “A shopper whitethorn present discover, measure and acquisition your merchandise without ever visiting your website. If your merchandise information isn’t implicit and consistent, you simply won’t amusement up.”

Looking ahead, Akeneo anticipates an accrued relation for agentic AI successful managing purchases. The institution observes that 1 3rd of US consumers are unfastened to having an AI adjunct grip transactions connected their behalf, indicating a inclination towards delegating purchasing decisions to AI agents.

Meanwhile, regulatory changes are expected to further complicate the retail environment. Akeneo draws attraction to an upcoming US Supreme Court ruling connected customs duties and anticipated changes to EU regulations that mightiness easiness immoderate rules but enforce stricter borderline controls.

These regulatory shifts could promote greater involvement successful resale markets and circular buying by some brands and consumers.

Despite galore brands investing successful traceability systems to beforehand circularity, Akeneo notes that this accusation is often not integrated into customer-facing experiences.

Fouache stated: “In the property of AI and Digital Product Passports, transparency and storytelling substance much than ever.”

"Akeneo predicts AI, regulatory changes volition alteration retail" was primitively created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.

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