Insight ReportCEO Brief: Coresight Research Agenda for 2026—Retail’s Strategic Imperatives John Mercer, Head of Global Research and Managing Director of Data-Driven Research January 26, 2026 Reasons to ReadDiscover how retailers can defend and grow margins in 2026 despite uneven sales growth and a volatile consumer backdrop. Read this report to uncover answers to these and other questions: What macroeconomic, consumer and industry conditions will shape retail performance in 2026—and where do opportunities still exist despite ongoing volatility? How can retailers drive margin expansion through store evolution, advanced technology (including agentic AI), intelligent inventory management and nonretail revenue streams such as retail media and retail-as-a-service? Other relevant research: CEO Brief: 2026 US Macroeconomic Outlook—Incremental or Inflection Point? Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in: 2026 Sector Outlook: US Apparel and Footwear Retailing—Moderate Growth in a Stabilizing Macro EnvironmentWeekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 36: Bath & Body Works and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet To Open Additional StoresUS CPG Sales Tracker: E-Commerce Jumps by One-Quarter as Online Food Sales Surge by One-ThirdCanada Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025: Store Openings Edge Past Closures as Costco, Sephora and Uniqlo Expand
