Rithum's 2026 Commerce Readiness Index: Retailers Lag in AI Adoption Despite Rapid Evolution
Rithum has unveiled its 2026 Commerce Readiness Index, a comprehensive report examining the preparedness of retail and brand executives for the future. The study, launched at the Rithum LIVE summit in New York City, explores key topics such as AI adoption and tariff mitigation.
The report, based on a survey of 200 U.S. and U.K. retail and brand executives, reveals significant shifts in marketing strategies. Over 90% of commerce leaders have altered their marketing mix in the past year. However, around half still rely on spreadsheets and manual workflows, indicating a gap between adaptation and technological integration.
Pricing strategies are heavily influenced by government policy, with 91% of retail executives reporting this impact. Yet, nearly 75% of leaders struggle with outdated, inconsistent, or incomplete data for decision-making. This highlights a challenge in data management and utilisation.
Product complexity also poses a barrier to cost control, affecting 92% of brands. Despite these hurdles, nearly three in four leaders find AI evolving faster than they can adopt it, suggesting a need for enhanced AI integration and understanding.
The 2026 Commerce Readiness Index, available for download on the Rithum website, provides valuable insights into the current state of commerce readiness. It underscores the need for retailers and brands to adapt their strategies, improve data management, and accelerate AI adoption to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving market.
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