118. Retail Trends 2026

Retail is entering a new era where technology is becoming invisible and human connection is becoming more valuable than ever. In this solo episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi breaks down five major trends shaping retail in 2026 based on conversations with some of the world’s leading retail executives. From AI-powered commerce and visual search to the rise of membership models and the transformation of physical stores into emotional destinations, this episode explores how consumer behavior is evolving and what operators need to understand next.

Drawing on insights from brands and leaders across the US, Europe, China, and Australia, Paula explains why AI is becoming infrastructure instead of just another feature and why the retailers winning in this next phase will be the ones investing deeply in people, community, and experience. If you want deeper analysis, executive signals, and actionable retail intelligence, subscribe to OFFBounds Intelligence and stay ahead of the trends shaping the future of commerce.