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Top Retail Trends of 2026: What to Expect | Smurfit Westrock

www.smurfitwestrock.com

These trends highlight where packaging, merchandising, and supply chain strategy must evolve to stay competitive. With 2025 now in the rearview mirror, manufacturers and retailers have set their sights on 2026 in what’s shaping up to be another unpredictable year. While the immense growth of AI use might be the only thing guaranteed for 2026, just like the market, it will also require retailers and suppliers to remain agile as they shape retail priorities for the year. In November, the global volatility index (VIX) that measures the market’s 30-day expectation of volatility for the S&P 500 hit 26.3, its highest point since U.S. tariff announcements caused it to surge past 50 in April. (The average hovers around 20.) As many tariffs remain in place, so does the volatility. Considering these and other factors, our resident retail expert, Leon Nicholas, VP of retail insights and solutions at Smurfit Westrock, generated his list of top retail trends for 2026. As we prepare for an unpredictable 2026, keep these principles in mind: Operationalize agility across your company. Brands with the ability to execute quickly with packaging and merchandising innovation—and rapidly adjust to tariff volatility and EPR complexity—will gain market share. Consumers are showing they prefer what’s innovative with their wallets. A majority of product innovation is concentrated among emerging brands; while those brands account for less than 2% of market share in their categories, they achieved 39% of category growth in 2024, up from 17% in 2023.

2026 Product Development Trends: What Today’s Manufacturers Need ...

www.arenasolutions.com

The 2026 Product Development Trends Report reveals an industry pushing forward despite mounting pressures. From AI and sustainability to supply chain transformation and digital maturity, manufacturers are redefining what it means to innovate in a world that demands speed, intelligence, and resilience. Organizations that embrace digital tools, invest in strategic capabilities, and adapt to evolving market realities will be best positioned to lead the next era of product development. Download our full report for actionable steps to help you get ahead in 2026 and beyond. How are standards like the digital product passport (DPP) driving the need for sustainability? Why is there a rising need for connected PLM and QMS? What is AI's growing impact on quality control and manufacturing? ... Shelly St.Hill is the Sr. Marketing Content Writer for PTC. As manufacturing companies head into 2026, one thing is clear: they are navigating more complexity—and more opportunity—than ever before. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, talent shortages, and the accelerating march of digital technologies are reshaping how organizations design, build, and deliver products. Arena by PTC’s latest Product Development Trends Report, based on survey data from 350 manufacturers across high-tech, aerospace and defense, and MedTech, paints a vivid picture of an industry at an inflection point. Companies are not slowing their technology adoption, even under economic pressure. In fact, 70% plan to increase technology investments in 2026, with AI, machine learning, and cloud platforms taking center stage.

Eight Trends for 2026: Pricing, Passion, and the Risks Ahead | ...

www.library.hbs.edu

From inflation to innovation, happiness to productivity, Harvard Business School faculty highlight the forces likely to shape business during the coming year. By Rachel Layne on December 19, 2025. Business leaders have had to navigate many competing forces during the past year—soaring markets and mixed economic signals, AI opportunities and fatigued consumers. The complexity will likely continue in 2026. We asked Harvard Business School faculty to share the trends leaders can expect in the coming year and offer research-backed advice for managing during these uncertain times. 2026 will be the year of the 10x founder—founders who operate with a level of velocity and productivity that is an order of magnitude greater than in prior generations. These founders are harnessing modern AI tools not simply to automate work, but to accelerate learning. Product-market fit is being found faster than ever as cycles of customer discovery, prototyping, and iteration continue to compress. In 2026, firms and managers may expect three things: Innovation will increasingly be “AI-augmented,” not AI-automated. Winners will treat AI as a collaborator that accelerates search, prototyping, and learning cycles, while investing heavily in human judgment and domain expertise when it comes to selection and implementation. Uncertainty about markets, regulation, and technology will persist. Another future is a world where we give firms’ targets the benefit of the doubt, motivating other firms to bring climate solutions to market at scale and at lower cost, and generating economic value along the way. Strong institutions that monitor and verify progress will make it easier to justify that benefit of the doubt. Shirley Lu is an assistant professor in the Accounting and Management Unit. As we move into 2026, health care organizations face a familiar but intensifying landscape of policy volatility, financial strain, and technological disruption.

Consumer Tech market growth estimate resets in 2026

nielseniq.com

See our sales growth estimates for 2026 across consumer electronics, IT, home appliances, and telecoms markets. Industry Trends Omnichannel/E-commerce Pricing & Promotion Product Innovation Sustainability/ESG See all insights ... Who we are Company News Corporate Citizenship Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events Investor Relations Leadership Media Center ... Select your preferred language English Español Deutsch Français Italiano 普通话 Português Pусский 日本語 ... For 2026, the global picture will flatten, with NIQ estimating -0.4% year-over-year growth. Changing regional demand: Growth strategy must focus on those markets promising strongest sales growth—by volume and by value—per product category · Timing and scope of any continuation/withdrawal of China trade-in policies · Evolving US tariff policies and their impact on pricing (notably for appliances) Download our recent Outlook report for a deeper understanding of what will drive sales of Home Appliances in 2026. Forward-looking statements: Disclaimer This report may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. At the sector level, consumers’ overall spending compared with 2025 will continue to grow on small domestic appliances and IT products but fall slightly on consumer electronics and smartphones. Demand is slowing in many regions due to market saturation for this category—but there are pockets of real movement for the consumer electronics market. TVs are set for a lift in 2026, as the first wave of pandemic-era purchases reaches replacement age.

The Top 10 Consumer Trends To Watch in 2026 | Salsify

www.salsify.com

Beyond LGBTQ+ representation, consumers are seeking broader inclusivity across age groups, abilities, body types, ethnicities, and gender identities in brand communications and products. Prioritize authenticity and action to show support as a brand. Simply saying you’re an ally isn’t enough — consumers want to see inclusion reflected in marketing, sales, and social practices. While 2026 will see an uptick in AI, brands also need to keep it real — literally. Here are 10 consumer trends to watch in 2026, what they mean for your brand, and how you can make them work for you. AI adoption grew steadily throughout 2025 and is expected to continue in 2026. According to Salsify’s “ · 2026 Consumer Research” report, 22% of shoppers use AI search tools like ChatGPT for product research. Influencers will remain a top consumer trend in 2026. According to a report from · Sprout Social, 49% of consumers make purchases because of influencer posts. ... First, partner with influencers who can naturally and authentically interact with your products or services. wildly popular viral marketing campaign. Customers love it, and engagement with the platform has increased. Expect the value of viral trends to expand in 2026 as brands look to capture consumers’ constantly shifting attention. The trick to viral value? Know your audience and speak to what they want.

Consumer Marketing Trends That Will Drive Growth in 2026 | Circana

www.circana.com

The consumer landscape continues to shift as a new year gets underway. Marketers face a complex environment shaped by lingering economic pressures, rapidly evolving technologies, and consumer interest in genuine connection. Success requires more than just reacting to change; it demands anticipating and recognizing shifts in behavior and leveraging data to deliver value. Discover the consumer marketing trends that are projected to drive brand growth this year, and how integrated data helps brands and retailers succeed. While direct conversion from video is a growing trend, it has not yet fully replaced traditional paths to purchase. The integration of retail media campaigns into these formats helps bridge the gap, placing products directly in the line of sight during entertainment consumption. Experiential marketing in 2026 is less about putting on VR goggles and more about removing friction. What consumer marketing trends are expected to drive growth in 2026? Community engagement: Consumers are increasingly valuing community, which can range from supporting local businesses to investing in social and sustainability initiatives. Brands can embrace this by aligning with community-driven values. Wellness focus: Wellness continues to be a dominant trend, influencing not just food and beverage but also other categories. This includes products geared to health-conscious consumers.