Reasons to Read

Explore how AI is reshaping retail at the AI Playbook: Content & Cocktails event at NRF 2026, with key insights into the future of agentic commerce and its transformative potential. This report provides answers to critical questions such as:

  • How can retailers implement AI in layers, starting with foundational improvements like forecasting and replenishment before moving to more complex applications like hyper-personalization and autonomous decision-making?
  • What organizational and cultural shifts are necessary to successfully scale AI initiatives, and how do these changes drive measurable business outcomes, such as reducing returns by 10% without even using AI?
  • How are leading brands and retailers like Nike, Tesco, and Dollar General leveraging AI to improve operations, enhance customer experiences, and optimize inventory management across channels?
  • What challenges are retailers facing when transitioning from traditional e-commerce to AI-driven, agent-first commerce models, and how can they optimize product discoverability for AI agents rather than search engines?
  • How does AI amplify human expertise in physical stores, transforming them into service hubs rather than just transactional spaces, and why is customer experience more important than margin protection in building long-term loyalty?

Data in this research report include: Insights from leading retail executives, case studies of AI adoption in retail, and practical recommendations for overcoming organizational and technological barriers to successful AI deployment.

Companies mentioned in this report include: Alvanon, Bridgestone, Dollar General, Nike, PacSun, Tesco and Ubi.

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Reasons to Read

Discover how US consumers are reacting to shifting economic conditions, inflation pressures and tariffs in the new year.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • What are the latest shifts in consumer sentiment towards personal finances and the economy?
  • Which income groups are driving those changes?
  • What categories are consumers buying and where are they shopping?

Data in this research report include: Consumer sentiment by income and time; and retailer and category-level shopping data.

Other relevant research:  

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Reasons to Read

Discover how GLP-1 medications are reshaping US consumer behavior—and what leading retailers must do to respond.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • How are GLP-1 users changing what—and how—they buy across grocery, wellness and apparel categories?
  • Why are private-label brands uniquely positioned to capture growth from GLP-1 consumer behavior shifts?
  • What sizing, inventory and service strategies should apparel retailers adopt as body-size volatility rises?
  • How can pharmacies evolve from transactional hubs to loyalty-driving wellness centers for GLP-1 users?
  • In what ways can retailers reinvent in-store foodservice to meet demand for protein-rich, portion-controlled meals?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Amazon, ASOS, Conagra Brands, CVS Caremark, Danone, Eli Lilly, Destination XL Group, Gap Inc./Old Navy, Kroger, Marks & Spencer, Nestlé, Novo Nordisk, PepsiCo, Reformation, Target and Walmart.

Data in this report include: GLP-1 market size and growth projections; grocery basket value and item changes among GLP-1 users; consumer lifestyle and dietary shifts; apparel size transitions and preferred services; pharmacy support preferences; and evolving foodservice consumption patterns.

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This report explores the game-changing impact of Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to transform the shopping journey by enabling multi-agent commerce. UCP unifies various shopping experiences across discovery, negotiation, purchase and post-purchase processes, empowering retailers to seamlessly integrate with AI agents across multiple platforms.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • How does UCP compare to OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) and what does it mean for the future of agentic commerce?
  • What role will Google’s UCP play in reshaping the retail experience from product discovery to post-purchase support?
  • How can retailers integrate with UCP and gain visibility within Google Search and the Gemini app?
  • What are the key benefits of UCP for retailers, including better consumer engagement, reduced cart abandonment and smoother transactions?
  • How are major retailers like Walmart preparing for the multi-agent commerce revolution and what steps are they taking to stay competitive?

Data in this research report include/are: UCP integration steps, retailer participation details, market growth projections for agentic commerce and the future role of AI in retail transactions.

Companies mentioned in this report include/are: Google, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, PayPal, Shopify, Adyen and others.

Other relevant research:

  • Bullet point list of linked reports, databanks, landing pages (see below)
  • More reports in our Agentic Commerce series
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Reasons to Read

Discover how Alibaba’s Qwen is transforming conversational AI into agentic commerce, enabling end-to-end shopping, travel and payments across China’s largest digital ecosystem. Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • How is Qwen leveraging Alibaba’s vast e-commerce, payments and travel platforms to execute complex, multi-step consumer journeys within a single interface?
  • What does Qwen’s rapid scale to 100 million monthly active users reveal about product–market fit for AI-native super apps in China?
    How does Qwen’s agentic commerce capability compare with US initiatives such as ChatGPT’s Agentic Commerce Protocol and Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol?
  • What are the implications of Qwen’s rise for incumbents like WeChat, Doubao and DeepSeek as they race to embed AI and protect engagement, data and monetization?
  • Which consumer use cases—such as ordering food, booking multi-city trips and managing daily tasks—are emerging as early winners for agentic AI in China?

Data in this research report include/are: User metrics for leading AI platforms (including Qwen, Doubao and DeepSeek); examples of agentic, multi-step workflows across commerce and travel; and qualitative insights from hands-on testing of Qwen’s capabilities and consumer use cases.

Companies mentioned in this report include/are: Alibaba, ByteDance, DeepSeek, Tencent / WeChat, OpenAI / ChatGPT, Google

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Reasons to Read

Discover the scale, sector mix and real estate implications of US store openings and closures in 2025—and what they signal for 2026.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • How did US store closures and openings in 2025 compare with 2024 in terms of count, square footage and average store size?
  • Which retailers and sectors drove the highest levels of store closures and store openings in 2025?
  • How did closure and opening activity break down by sector, from drugstores and discount stores to apparel and grocery?
  • What role did location play—how much activity came from off-mall versus on-mall and mixed-location retailers?
  • What level of store closures and openings does Coresight Research project for 2026?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Family Dollar; Rite Aid; Dollar General.

Data in this report include: annual US store closure and opening counts; square footage closed and opened; inferred average store sizes; sector-level breakdowns of closures and openings; location-based analysis (on-mall vs. off-mall); and forward-looking 2026 projections.

Other relevant research:

  • View our full collection of store tracker reports, covering the UK, the US and Canada.
  • The Coresight Research US and UK Store Tracker Databank is the definitive resource for information on store openings and closures by sector in the US and UK retail industries.
  • The Retail Bankruptcies Databank details bankruptcies of US and UK retail companies, restaurants and gyms since March 2020.
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Reasons to Read

The Coresight Research Weekly Consumer Survey provides vital insights into consumer behavior through ongoing research. The survey tracks US adult consumers weekly, focusing on purchasing habits, both food and non-food items, and how they engage with retailers online and offline. Key data points include consumer sentiment on finances, shopping preferences, and the impact of events like Black Friday and Valentine’s Day. By leveraging this weekly survey, Coresight delivers comprehensive consumer research, empowering businesses with up-to-date trends. The research covers various retail sectors, from grocery stores to e-commerce platforms, and offers valuable insights for understanding consumer decision-making. With almost five years of data, the survey includes interactive reports, downloadable data, and trend analyses, making it an invaluable resource for brands. Consumer insights are accessible via Coresight’s website, supporting data-driven strategies for industries aiming to understand consumer behavior.

  • In-depth Overview of Coresight Research’s Weekly Consumer Tracker: Gain a clear understanding of how Coresight’s weekly survey tracks US consumer behavior, including purchasing patterns, sentiment, and shopping habits. This survey has been ongoing for almost five years, providing valuable historical insights.
  • Learn About the Survey Methodology: Discover how the survey sample is selected, including how it’s designed to represent the US adult population and how it ensures reliable, actionable data with a margin of error of just +/- 2.5%.
  • Insights on Key Consumer Trends: Understand emerging trends in shopping behavior, such as the rise of AI-driven shopping and the impact of major shopping events (e.g., Black Friday, Prime Day). This section provides data on how holidays and special events influence consumer purchasing decisions.
  • Access to Consumer Data: Find out how to access and use Coresight’s rich dataset, including interactive graphs and downloadable reports to tailor insights to your specific business needs. The data spans across categories like apparel, beauty, and more.
  • Exciting New Developments: Get a sneak peek at upcoming products powered by AI and machine learning that will further enrich consumer tracking, such as predictive tools for sales projections and foot traffic analysis. These tools could be key for forecasting trends and making strategic decisions.
  • Expert Insight and Data Access: Hear directly from Philip Moore, Head of Market Research at Coresight, who shares nearly 40 years of expertise in the field, along with contact information for personalized support.

Other relevant research:  

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Reasons to Read

Coresight Research concludes our coverage of the 2025 holiday season in US retail. We explore proprietary consumer survey data, store-visit (traffic) data, earnings updates from major retailers and retail sales data from the US Census Bureau, providing you with the key takeaways you need to start 2026.

Data in this research report include: 

  • Proprietary survey data on consumers’ pre-holiday spending expectations and their reported, actual holiday spending
  • Survey data on what categories and retailers consumers shopped during the 2025 holiday season
  • Store traffic data for the holiday quarter by sector and retailer
  • US total retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles, December 2024–December 2025
  • US retail sales by sector, October–December 2025

Companies mentioned in this research report include: Amazon, Big Lots, Burlington Stores, Costco, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five Below, The Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lululemon Athletica, Macy’s, Ross Stores, Sephora, Ulta, Target, The TJX Companies, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, Temu, eBay, Etsy, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Urban Outfitters

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

Discover key insights into the latest retail movements across the UK in 2026, including store openings, closures, and the impact of major industry shifts.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • What are the latest figures for store closures and openings in the UK for 2026 so far?
  • Which major retailers are facing significant store closures, and which are expanding?
  • How does the 2026 performance compare to the previous year’s retail landscape?
  • What trends are emerging in the UK retail sector regarding store openings and closures?
  • Which brands are seeing the most dramatic shifts in their physical retail presence?

Companies mentioned in this report include: B&Q, Cavani, Edikted, Hollister, Lucy & Yak, Lululemon, Malin+Goetz, Millets, Pop Mart, Russell & Bromley, Savers, Søstrene Grene, Superdrug, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Trespass.

Data in this report include: weekly totals of UK store closures and openings for 2026 and 2025; retailer-level breakdowns of announced versus confirmed closures/openings.

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

Discover the latest trends in store openings and closures across major US retailers and the broader retail landscape for 2026.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • What are the key store closures and openings announced by Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods Market?
  • How many stores has Costco Wholesale opened, and what are the latest updates on CVS Health’s closures?
  • How have H-E-B and Moleskine contributed to the growth of US retail through new store openings?
  • What are the notable retail bankruptcies and how do they affect the industry landscape?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, Costco Wholesale, CVS Health, Harbor Freight Tools, H-E-B, Moleskine, Raley’s, The Container Store, Whole Foods Market

Data in this report include: weekly totals of US store closures and openings for 2026 and 2025; retailer-level breakdowns of announced versus confirmed closures/openings; total store counts by retailer; total US retail bankruptcies year to date.

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

Discover how the retail industry is leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive transformation and enhance the customer experience, with insights from the CES 2025 Retail Track.

Read this report to uncover answers to these and other questions from CES 2026:

  • How is AI adoption reshaping the retail landscape and what are the key ROI successes being seen?
  • Why is search technology evolving with GenAI and Agentic Commerce, and how does this change the way consumers interact with brands?
  • How are retailers using loyalty programs, personalization, and AI tools to create compelling and trust-based experiences?
  • In what ways are 5G wireless and agentic AI technologies helping retailers optimize operations and improve product availability?
  • How are social media platforms continuing to influence purchasing behavior and what strategies are early adopters using to capitalize on this shift?

Data in this research report include: Data on AI adoption, recent retail ROI announcements, recent Chief AI officer appointments, AI’s contribution to GDP and several Coresight Research Surveys.

Companies mentioned in this report include: Amazon, Dick’s, Intel, Lowe’s, Lululemon, LVMH, Microsoft, Ralph Lauren, Tapestry, Target, The Gap, The Home Depot, The Estée Lauder Company, The Kroger Company, Under Armour, and Walmart.

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

Discover why 2026 will bring steady but uneven progress for the US consumer—and what that means for retail strategy and growth.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • Why will the US consumer economy remain bifurcated in 2026, rather than seeing a broad-based recovery?
  • How will inflation, interest rates and policy changes continue to pressure lower-income households into 2027?
  • To what extent will higher-income consumers, asset prices and the “wealth effect” drive discretionary retail growth?
  • How will housing-market dynamics and mortgage rates shape demand in categories such as home improvement?
  • What structural competitors—such as GLP-1 drugs—and behavioral shifts will continue to divert consumer spending?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Kroger, Uber Eats, Uber, Postmates, Burlington Stores, Ross Stores, The TJX Companies, Temu and Shein.

Data in this report include: US macroeconomic growth, inflation and interest-rate forecasts; housing-market and stock-market outlooks; migration and inbound travel trends; GLP-1 drug spending projections; and consumer sentiment by income group.

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

Discover how US consumers are reacting to shifting economic conditions, inflation pressures and tariffs in the new year.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • How is consumer sentiment diverging across income groups—and what does this mean for premium versus value retail performance.
  • To what extent are shoppers still concerned about tariffs and how are those concerns reshaping spending habits?
  • Which categories are seeing pull-forward demand and where might retailers expect softness later in the year?
  • How entrenched is trading down and what specific inflation-related behaviors are dominating in food and nonfood purchases?

Data in this research report include: Consumer sentiment by income and time; consumer tariff concerns and behavioral responses; shopping changes due to inflation; and retailer and category-level shopping data.

Other relevant research:  

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Reasons to Read

Amazon has announced plans to close its Amazon Fresh (57 stores) and Amazon Go (15 stores) grocery chains in the US, with some conversions to Whole Foods Market stores. Discover the strategic shift at Amazon and its impact on the grocery retail landscape.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

  • What led Amazon to close its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores?
  • What is Amazon’s grocery market share?
  • Why is Whole Foods Market positioned as Amazon’s future bet in grocery retail?
  • What is the potential impact of these closures on Amazon’s long-term market position?
  • How do Amazon’s physical store closures affect its broader grocery strategy?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Amazon, Whole Foods Market, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Costco.

Data in this report include: Store traffic trends; US grocery market share estimates; Store distribution by state.

Other relevant research:

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Reasons to Read

The Store Tracker Extra monthly series offers additional insight into retailers’ store closure and opening announcements.

In this report, we provide our yearly review of store closures and openings in the US. We review calendar 2025, breaking the counts down by sector, as well as presenting our projections for 2026. We also provide estimated square-footage impacts, location types (on-mall versus off-mall) and openings/closures as a proportion of retailers’ store bases.

Data in this report are:

  • US store closure and openings count 2019-2026E
  • Major announced US store closures and openings, 2026
  • US store closures and openings by sector, 2025
  • Breakdown of US store closures in the drugstores chain by retailer, 2025
  • Breakdown of US store openings in the discount-store sector by retailer, 2025
  • Details of announced US store closures and openings for 2025, by retailer—total closures, closures as a proportion of store base, total size (square footage) of estimated closures, predominant location type

Companies mentioned in this report include:  Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Albertsons Companies, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., Aritzia, Bath & Body Works, Inc., Best Buy Co., Inc., BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc., Burlington Stores, Casey’s, Costco Wholesale, Crocs, CVS Health, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five Below, Floor & Decor, H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Kohl’s, Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V., Lowe’s Companies, Lululemon Athletica Inc, Macy’s, Inc., Ross Stores, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc, Tapestry, Inc, Target, The Home Depot, The Kroger Co., The TJX Companies, Inc., Tractor Supply Company, Ulta Beauty, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Williams-Sonoma.

Other relevant research:

  • View our full collection of store tracker reports, covering the UK, the US and Canada.
  • The Coresight Research US and UK Store Tracker Databank is the definitive resource for information on store openings and closures by sector in the US and UK retail industries.
  • The Retail Bankruptcies Databank details bankruptcies of US and UK retail companies, restaurants and gyms since March 2020.
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