From Fatigue to Focus: Retail and CPG Investment Priorities for 2026

Retail and CPG leaders are entering a new phase of sharper, smarter investments. After a year of tightened budgets and transformation fatigue, 2026 is bringing renewed focus on where technology can truly drive margin and growth.

As physical and digital channels converge, priorities like unified commerce, AI-powered operations, and intelligent store modernization are taking center stage. But leaders are asking tougher questions: Which bets are paying off? What’s stalling? And how are peers structuring investments for impact?

Watch Everest Group experts as we unpacked the latest spending shifts across retail and CPG, revealed where the greatest value is being unlocked, and spotlighted emerging success stories in AI and next-gen commerce.

What questions did the webinar answer for the participants?

• Where are retail and CPG enterprises directing their next wave of technology investments, and what’s driving those choices in 2026?
• Which modernization bets – from unified commerce to intelligent stores – are delivering results, and which are falling short of expectations?
• How are leading enterprises balancing short-term efficiency with long-term growth, and what lessons can others take from their investment playbooks?

Who should attend?

• Fortune 500, Global 2000, Retail and CPG Enterprises
• CEO, COO, CIO, CTO, Chief Digital Officer, Chief Transformation Officer, Chief Customer Officer
• EVP/SVP/VP – Retail Operations, Store Operations, Supply Chain, Merchandising
• Head of data and analytics, Head of AI/Automation, Head of strategy and innovation
• Corporate development leaders, and procurement and sourcing heads