IGD has launched its highly anticipated Global Retail Trends 2026 report, identifying seven key trends that will shape the food and grocery industry over the next year.
Together, they highlight where innovation and investment will be most critical and help guide retailers’ strategic choices to differentiate themselves, stay relevant, and secure long-term growth in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Understanding the future of retail means recognising the key macro drivers reshaping the industry. Retailers are navigating ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, while rising consumer focus on health and wellbeing is fuelling demand for wellness, preventative, and functional products.
Technological progress continues at a pace, requiring retailers to strike a balance between embracing innovation and maintaining resilient infrastructure. Climate change and environmental concerns are also intensifying, with both regulators and consumers expecting greater sustainability efforts.
Additionally, demographic shifts are influencing shopper expectations, with a growing demand for personalisation, faster service, and better value.
IGD’s seven trends take these macro drivers into account and follow the strategic journey shaping retail transformation, from securing resilient foundations to empowering innovation, monetising new growth models, and ultimately contributing to a more responsible industry.
IGD’s seven global retail trends for 2026:
- Cybersecurity becomes retail’s frontline: IGD expects cybersecurity to shift from a siloed IT function to a board-level strategy priority.
- AI as the engine of the retail revolution: retailers will continue to use AI to drive profitability and efficiency through advanced strategies.
- Retail media is coming of age: over the next five years, certain retailers in specific markets will reach a level of retail media maturity.
- Retailers race to capture the world on their shelves: globalised flavours going further, with more precise segmentation; strategies that reflect diverse communities; and curating more authentic ranges supported by storytelling and seasonal events.
- The convenience revolution: specialist convenience operators will increasingly focus on food and drink to be consumed in minutes, not days, gradually eroding take-home grocery assortments.
- Playing a meaningful role in more health missions: retailers will serve a broader range of health missions and do so in more profound, more meaningful ways.
- The war on waste: in the coming years, we expect retailers to increasingly prioritise reducing food and packaging waste across the supply chain and in stores.
“Retailers around the world face evolving consumer preferences, technological advances, and market disruptions, and they are responding to these shared challenges with bold, relevant solutions,” said Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD.
“The seven trends we have identified show how global forces are reshaping strategy, and why agility, relevance, and execution will define the leaders of tomorrow.”
More insights here
