• Forrester’s just-releasedUS Tech Forecast 2026: What It Means For Retailresearch shows that US retailers will increase their technology budgets to $113 billion in 2026 - up 6.6% year over year. • The industry’s needs to modernize infrastructure, adopt AI at scale, and support omnichannel experiences are driving this increase. • With these investments comes a clear mandate for retail leaders: Ensure that every investment improves profitability, business resilience, and/or customer value. • Retailers Continue The Shift To AI, Software, And Omnichannel Foundations In 2026, software will account for 46% of total retail tech budgets in the US. • This is more than double what retailers will spend on hardware categories such as communications equipment and computer equipment. • Retailers are pouring these dollars into AI‑enabled systems, data platforms, and cloud‑based applications that improve forecasting, fulfillment, and personalization.

Article Summaries:

  • US Tech Forecast 2026 For Retail: Make Every Tech Dollar Count Forrester’s just-released US Tech Forecast 2026: What It Means For Retail research shows that US retailers will increase their technology budgets to $113 billion in 2026 - up 6.6% year over year. The industry’s needs to modernize infrastructure, adopt AI at scale, and support omnichannel experiences are driving this increase. With these investments comes a clear mandate for retail leaders: Ensure that every investment improves profitability, business resilience, and/or customer value. Retailers Continue The Shift To AI, Software, A

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