What are the retail trends for 2026?

Constant changes in technology, consumer behaviour and business strategies are continually reshaping the retail and e-commerce landscape.

In 2025, several major trends will transform this sector even more profoundly. Here is a detailed analysis of the key dynamics to watch, backed up by revealing figures.

1. The rise of the omnichannel experience

Omnichannel retailing is becoming essential: over 80 per cent of businesses are investing to create a seamless experience across all channels. This is vital because consumers follow a mixed purchasing journey, moving between shops, websites and apps. Over 80 per cent of customers use at least two channels during their journey.

In practice, this means that brands must synchronise their stock levels, offer options such as ‘click and collect’, and integrate real-time tracking tools to deliver a consistent and satisfying experience.

This is where a solution such as Quable’s PIM (Product Information Management) becomes a major asset. By centralising and harmonising all product data, Quable enables businesses to ensure perfect consistency across their various channels. Whether it’s product descriptions, images or technical specifications, PIM facilitates the rapid and accurate dissemination of essential information, thereby enhancing the omnichannel customer experience and improving internal management.

2. The rise of personalisation

Personalisation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Consumer expectations are evolving rapidly: according to Ringover, 82 per cent of consumers want answers to their questions within 10 minutes of making an enquiry. This demand is driving businesses to invest in real-time personalisation solutions.

Thanks to data collected via artificial intelligence and machine learning, brands can now anticipate individual needs and offer hyper-targeted recommendations. This strategy strengthens loyalty and drives conversions, meeting a demand that is increasingly centred on the individual.

3. Process automation

Automation is transforming business processes. It reduces human error by 20 per cent, thereby improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. Automation tools handle a variety of tasks: stock management, reminders, predictive analytics and targeted marketing campaigns.

For businesses, these technologies are an effective way to save time and resources, whilst ensuring operations are carried out more effectively. Artificial intelligence is key to this transformation. Tools such as Quable PIM, with AI-based features, automate important processes such as product data enrichment, anomaly detection and the suggestion of optimised content.

4. The growth of self-service

Consumers increasingly want to have complete control over their shopping journey. This is giving a significant boost to the self-service market, which could reach $6.5 billion by 2027.

With interactive in-store kiosks or online chatbots, self-service solutions enable customers to get quick answers and complete transactions without assistance. These tools enhance the customer experience whilst reducing costs for businesses.

5. The expansion of social commerce

Social commerce, which allows customers to shop directly on social media platforms, is growing rapidly. Globally, it is set to reach $3.37 trillion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 28.4 per cent. In France, 30 per cent of consumers used social media to make purchases last year, and this figure rises to 50 per cent for Generation Z.

Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest are embracing this trend by making every post ‘shoppable’. Short videos, live streams and integrated shops are transforming these spaces into interactive showcases. This shift is prompting brands to rethink their strategy, placing social media at the heart of their sales and marketing approach to reach a connected audience seeking seamless and immersive experiences.

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How businesses can adapt to the trends of 2025

Rapid changes in consumer behaviour and technological innovations require businesses to reinvent their approach in order to remain competitive. The trends of 2025, such as enhanced omnichannel capabilities, greater personalisation, automation, self-service and social commerce, present opportunities but also pose challenges.

To adapt, businesses must prioritise the centralisation and consistency of product data – an area where solutions such as Quable PIM play a key role. By implementing a PIM, they can effectively synchronise their product information across all channels – e-commerce, marketplaces, physical shops and social media – ensuring a consistent customer experience. For example, with the help of built-in AI, Quable PIM enables automatic enrichment of product data, detection of anomalies and the generation of optimised recommendations. This facilitates rapid and accurate updates, which are essential for meeting consumer expectations, such as click-and-collect or instant purchase options via social commerce.

The adoption of automation and artificial intelligence is also vital for anticipating customer needs and personalising the experience in real time. By combining these technologies with a robust omnichannel strategy, businesses can not only improve customer satisfaction but also reduce operational costs and boost productivity.

Finally, integrating social media as a strategic lever is becoming essential. Social commerce offers unprecedented opportunities to engage consumers, particularly younger generations. Businesses must view it not merely as a showcase, but as a fully-fledged transactional platform.

By 2025, businesses that are able to utilise tools such as Quable PIM and incorporate these trends into their strategy will be best placed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.