The consumer and retail sector is undergoing a decisive technological reset, driven by rapid advances in AI, rising expectations for digital convenience, and the pressure to modernise long‑standing legacy systems. This report examines how consumer and retail organisations are responding to this shift – not only by scaling AI from isolated pilots to widely embedded capabilities, but also by strengthening data foundations, upgrading cybersecurity, and preparing for a wave of emerging technologies such as edge computing, Web3, and digital twins. Together, these investments signal a sector moving beyond experimentation and into large‑scale, execution‑focused transformation.
Drawing on insights from more than 250 consumer and retail leaders, the report highlights where modernisation is already delivering measurable impact: more accurate forecasting, more efficient supply chains, and increasingly automated front‑ and back‑office operations. Yet the findings also reveal the hurdles that continue to slow progress – most notably weak governance, fragmented technology stacks, and ongoing shortages of AI‑native talent.
As sector leaders push toward a future where intelligence is embedded into every part of the value chain, clear strategy, stronger governance, and a more digitally enabled workforce will determine which organisations unlock sustained value and which struggle to scale.
