In a revolutionary turn for retail, Ulta’s session at NRF 2026 highlights agentic commerce’s profound impact on consumer interactions. As AI agents dominate shopping interfaces, retailers must adapt by optimizing data and operational performance to avoid invisibility. Success hinges on trust, adaptability, and delivering what consumers genuinely need.
NRF 2026’s press panel exposed the uncomfortable truth: Gen Z is discount-driven, tech-native, and emotionally volatile and they’re dragging retail’s playbook into a new era. By Carsten KrauseJanuary 14, 2026 I joined NRF 2026 as official press and sat in on the “Consumer Outlook 2026” panel moderated by The headline – See more –
Read MoreIn an evolving U.S. economy, retail leaders must navigate a bifurcated consumer landscape: one thriving and affluent, the other struggling. Despite overall economic growth, this disparity demands innovative strategies. By embracing digital transformation and understanding diverse consumer behaviors, retailers can thrive amidst challenges, improving resilience and opportunity in 2026.
Read MoreThe article contrasts the paths of Wendy’s and McDonald’s in implementing voice AI at drive-thrus. Wendy’s successfully scaled its AI system, FreshAI, focusing on collaboration with human staff, while McDonald’s discontinued its pilot with IBM due to performance issues. The key takeaway emphasizes the importance of governance and collaboration in AI deployments for operational success.
Read MoreIn 2026, organizations that excel will prioritize “above-the-loop” leadership, where human intelligence governs AI autonomy rather than micromanaging decisions. By redefining roles and adopting frameworks like the ECI framework, leaders can optimize the collaboration between AI and human insight, driving productivity, innovation, and controlled risk in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Read MoreIn 2025, technology transcended mere digital transformation, as AI began executing workflows autonomously, demanding a shift to Elevated Collaborative Intelligence™. Organizations learned that scaling AI without addressing enterprise readiness amplified risk. Sustainable architecture and robust governance emerged as essentials, emphasizing accountability, foresight, and the need for strategic alignment in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Read MoreHoliday 2025 reveals an unprecedented surge of shoppers but a stark decline in spending. Executives face a pivotal moment, as consumers prioritize value over sheer volume. The $1 trillion sales milestone coexists with cautious spending, highlighting the need for retailers to embrace AI-driven efficiency and meet evolving customer expectations in this transformative era.
Read MoreThe CDAO Summit in Boston highlighted the importance of connected intelligence in retail, exemplified by the collaboration of human and artificial intelligence (HI + AI = ECI). Panelists from major companies discussed AI’s practical applications, emphasizing reliable metadata, real-time responsiveness, and seamless integration into workflows, underscoring the critical role of governance and cultural acceptance.
Read MoreIn this article I cover the phenonemon of workslop also known as AI slop. With the advent of AI powered tools integrated in office suites and the mandate to leverage AI tools some workers are over relying on AI generated otput without questioning and verifiying its content. This often leads to confusion for the receiver of AI slop requiring re-work and extra time spent on remediation. The ECI formula can help reduce workslop by applying the framework. I cover some aspects leaders can put in place today to tackel this issue.
Read MoreIn this article I review the motivation and reasonable fear of Microsofts CEO Satya Nadella to be out innovated into irrelevance by the fourth platform – Artificial Intelligence – and the billions of dollars Microsoft is investing to stay at the helm of this movement. The article includes business lessons that other leaders can learn from to stay ahead in this AI platform revolution.
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