Welcome to a lively tour of 2026’s Retail Tech week, where AI in Retail insights are shaping the shopping journey. This piece explores how progress is accelerating and how technology turns insights into action for shoppers and frontline teams, balancing wins with inevitable glitches.
Retail Tech in Action: Currys, RTS 2026, and more
Currys Group Chief Executive Alex Baldock exits after eight years at the electricals retailer, stepping into a new external role. The board says a formal recruitment process will begin, and Baldock will remain in place to ensure a smooth transition. The leadership team will be ready to maintain performance while the search unfolds. This kind of leadership churn is common in Retail Tech, but the tone here is forward-looking: momentum should stay intact as the customer promise stays crisp. Meanwhile, Retail Technology Show 2026 unveils features that put innovation front and center, promising the biggest-ever technology showcase with hundreds of exhibitors.
Retail Tech is moving from talk to action, as retailers combine in-store devices with cloud analytics to cut friction and speed up checkout, driven by real-time data streams that inform decisions.
The RTIH Innovation Awards are open for entries, inviting established and new players to showcase disruptive retail tech. The awards celebrate global innovation in an omnichannel world, with judging windows designed to encourage early submissions. The ceremony will crown the year’s standout projects on 4 November at The HAC in Central London.
AI in Retail milestones this week
- Uber Eats and Starship Technologies roll out robot deliveries in Sheffield after a Leeds rollout, delivering to tens of thousands of households. The project uses AI in Retail to optimise routes and timing, and even invites customers to contribute a jingle for a limited period.
- Amazon Now expands to Lewisham and Battersea, delivering thousands of essentials within minutes as part of London’s rapid-delivery push. AI in Retail helps coordinate micro-fulfilment and customer communications.
- M&S purchases 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences to equip store managers and the support centre with AI in Retail tools. This is part of a disciplined scale-up of AI across the business to speed data access and decision-making. AI in Retail shows up in stock forecasts and marketing materials, making workflows smoother for teams and customers alike.
- Tesco Clubcard, Leon Club, and Pret Perks feature in the UK’s loyalty spotlight. The Retail Loyalty Index highlights how better value, feeling valued, and appealing rewards drive loyalty, with Clubcard leading.
- Luqmaan Musa departs Selfridges to lead IT Service Delivery at Waterstones, signaling the importance of strong operational leadership for AI in Retail enabled service delivery across brands. AI in Retail continues to rely on capable teams to translate platforms into everyday improvements.
- Gap Inc.’s AI push uses Bold Metrics and Google’s UCP to improve fit and checkout, showing how a connected data stack helps scale intelligent commerce.
- Pinterest teams with creators to launch its first shoppable TV series on Roku, bringing inspiration boards to life with QR-enabled shopping and a direct path from inspiration to purchase. This is another instance of AI in Retail enabling immersive commerce across formats.
In sum, 2026 marks a year when AI in Retail and Retail Tech collaborate to deliver speed, clarity, and delight across channels. Leadership shifts, awards, robot-enabled delivery, and scalable AI platforms push the industry forward, centering the customer in every decision.
We invite you to share thoughts in the comments. For context and credit, read the original RTIH material here: RTIH – original source material. A big thank you to the RTIH team for the source material and insights that inspired this rewrite.
AI in Retail takes the stage: Copilot, deliveries, and more
The latest wave of AI-enabled shopping shows up in real deployments across big brands and a new wave of in-store technology. At M&S, 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences are being rolled out to empower colleagues with AI in Retail-powered data access and automated workflows. This is not a gimmick; it’s a measured step to improve reliability and scale.
AI in Retail sits at the center of supply chains, marketing, and customer service, unlocking faster decision-making and more consistent experiences for shoppers.
Luqmaan Musa’s move from Selfridges to Waterstones demonstrates how leadership in IT service delivery accelerates tech upgrades across brands. The journey highlights how strong governance and skilled teams enable AI in Retail-enabled service delivery to resolve issues quickly and keep customers happy.
Gap Inc.’s AI push uses Bold Metrics and Google7s UCP to improve fit and checkout, showing how a connected data stack helps scale intelligent commerce. This is a practical example of AI in Retail delivering real value.
Pinterest’s first shoppable TV series on Roku links inspiration with shopping through QR codes, creating new interactions for households watching from home. This is another instance of AI in Retail enabling immersive commerce across formats.
As 2026 unfolds, the combination of Retail Tech and AI in Retail is delivering faster decisions, smoother experiences, and new ways to reach customers across channels. The industry remains focused on measurable outcomes and practical progress rather than hype alone.
Frequently asked questions
- What is RTIH’s Innovation Awards? The RTIH Innovation Awards celebrate global retail tech innovation and recognize standout projects in an omnichannel world.
- When will the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards winners be announced? The winners are announced at the RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 4 November in Central London.
- How does AI in Retail improve delivery and service? AI-powered analytics, automation, and recommendation systems help speed decisions, optimise routes, and tailor experiences for customers.
- Where can I learn more about RTS 2026? See the RTIH coverage and the event’s official channels for the latest agenda and exhibitor lists.
Conclusion
2026 is shaping Retail Tech into a more integrated, data-driven, and customer-centric field. The week’s developments show leadership, innovation, and practical AI in Retail applications working together to improve shopping experiences and operational efficiency. Stay tuned for more updates and practical takeaways as the year progresses.
References
- AI in Retail McKinsey
- Artificial intelligence in retail Bain & Company
- AI in Retail Accenture
- RTIH RTS 2026 article (original source)
- RTIH original source material