From humanoid robots to agentic AI, I learned what retail insiders are buzzing about at a major industry conference

"I attended the convention, held in New York City from January 11 to 13, for the first time tohear from industry insiders about the retail trends to watch in 2026. This year's event drew speakers such as Walmart's incoming CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who announced a new AI deal this week, as well as Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin. It was clear that artificial intelligence was the big topic on the minds of the attendees from over 5,000 brands at the event."

"Walking the expo hall, "AI" and "agentic" seemed to be mentioned on nearly every other banner or booth I passed. Onstage, retail leaders touted their AI strategies. Large retailers, such as Walmart and Lowe's, have introduced their own AI shopping agents or partnered with AI platforms like Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT; however, these efforts are still in their early stages."

Artificial intelligence dominated the major retail conference in New York City, drawing more than 5,000 brands and high-profile speakers. Retailers showcased AI shopping agents and announced partnerships with platforms such as Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT, while many initiatives remained in early stages. Exhibitors demonstrated experiments like humanoid greeting robots and AI-driven digital drive‑thru menus. Gen Z shoppers indicated a premium on authenticity and transparency from brands using AI. Company leaders emphasized that customer service remains the primary objective driving AI adoption and advised founders to balance innovation with core retail fundamentals.

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