Global Scans · Retail · Weekly Summary

• [New] India will rank first among 20 countries worldwide in retail e-commerce development between 2023 and 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%. Laura.McCall@trade.gov
• [New] By 2040, the share of online purchases is expected to rise to 95% of all retail sales globally, with physical stores accounting for just 5%. ecomrankd.com -
• [New] In the US alone, retail media CTV ad spending is projected to climb from $4.46 billion USD in 2025 to $9.03 billion USD by 2029. StackAdapt
• [New] Spending on retail media advertising is projected to hit $130 billion by 2026. AFFiNCO
• [New] If the 2026 grilling season sees even a moderate uptick in consumer confidence, beef prices could break through the $10.00 per pound barrier at retail. Valley City Times-Record
• [New] By 2026, over 20% of global furniture retail will be conducted through online platforms. CIFF(GuangZhou)
• [New] Average selling prices for smartphones are likely to rise as manufacturers prioritise higher-margin models, with 2026 forecast to see a record increase in retail prices. Daily Tribune
• [New] Unmanned stores could reach $103.39 billion in 2026. www.cloudpick.ai
• [New] JD.com will use the Joybuy platform to provide German brands with new sales channels and retail infrastructure to connect with a broader range of European consumers. EqualOcean
• [New] Walmart plans to build or renovate 150 stores as part of its Store of the Future initiative. Altitudes Magazine
• [New] Walmart plans to build or renovate 150 stores with the goal of implementing its Store of the Future concept. MARCA
• [New] Best Buy plans to lean into AI glasses as well as other Meta products, like VR headsets, with dedicated spaces within stores. Digiday
• [New] 113 stores have already signed up to the Scheme, which will now be available to all 225 remote stores around Australia, delivering cost of living relief for 30 essential grocery items. Mirage News
• [New] DFS Group will transfer its travel retail concessions at Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport to Duty Free Americas, the latest move in the LVMH-owned retailer's ongoing global divestment strategy. DFNI
• [New] In 2026, mobile commerce is becoming the most influential channel for digital retail because consumers spend more time in mobile apps than on desktop websites, and they increasingly expect brands to provide a fast, intuitive mobile shopping experience anywhere and anytime. SCAND
• [New] In 2026, the major themes impacting the retail and apparel sectors will be: agentic AI, cost of living pressures, cybersecurity and instore security, supply chain resilience, the ongoing rise of resale, polarization, the rise in adoption of GLP-1 medication, health and wellness. GlobeNewswire
• [New] The ACCC's focus on manipulative and false practices will not be restricted to large social media platforms or app stores. National Law Review
• The launch of Sales Assist, a new voice-powered AI agent for retail which will debut at Mobile World Congress 2026. SoundHound AI
• If the 2021-2022 cycle was driven by retail speculation, high leverage, and narrative bubbles, then institutions generally believe that 2026 will be a year of substantial growth built by regulatory clarity, macro hedging needs, and the implementation of technological effectiveness. MEXC
• Statista projects e-commerce will reach 22.6% of total retail sales worldwide by 2027. Lovable
• New research from KPMG International is urging banks and retailers to form strategic partnerships - or risk falling behind - as businesses attempt to keep up with the rapid pace of change in the payments space. KPMG
• While AI is already widely used across financial services, both the FCA and NVIDIA highlight that rapid advances in generative and agentic AI could significantly reshape markets, competition and how consumers interact with retail financial services. REG Technologies
• Consumers expect to see plant-based foods in stores since about half of consumers are more likely to eat plant-based meals at home. CNS Media

Last updated: 19 March 2026