Retail Trends: Clear Evidence of the Industry’s Bold Transformation

Quixy Editorial Team

May 23, 2025

Will Your Retail Business Still Matter Tomorrow?

Whether you’re running a cozy corner shop or leading a global retail empire, one question keeps echoing louder than ever: Will your business still be relevant in the digital-first world? And what about those legacy systems silently holding you back?

While you read this, retail trends is evolving—fast. Customer experiences, expectations are being rewritten in real-time. From AI-driven hyper-personalization to frictionless checkout modes, the digital transformation sweeping through retail is no longer a forecast—it’s already here. 

Now , let us dive deep to talk more about latest digital transformation in retail industry, how it is sweeping the industry. From AI to automation, discover how technology trends in the retail industry are shaping the future of shopping. 

Key Retail Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry 

The retail sector is a powerhouse of the global economy. It connects millions of businesses with billions of consumers. The retail industry is set for explosive growth from 35.18$ trillion in 2025, it will surge to 50.86$ trillion by 2030. 

With a strong CAGR of 7.65%, the future of retail is bright — full of opportunity and transformation. While here are key retail trends shaping the future of the industry. 

Also Read: Automate Retail and Wholesale Business with Low-Code No-Code

AI-Driven Hyper-Personalization & Assistants in Retail Experiences

AI workflow automation technologies are revolutionizing retail by using hyper-personalized shopping journeys and providing intelligent AI and automation in retail industry, assistants customers through their purchases, both online and in-store. 

• Where, A recent survey found that over 70% of U.S. digital retailers say AI personalization and Gen AI is shaping their business beyond excpetations. 
• In a separate retail survey of Deloitte, 91% of executives identified AI as the most impactful technology set to transform the industry in the next coming years.  

Also, as per Forrester report, global retail sales are projected to exceed $28 trillion by 2028, rising from $22.6 trillion in 2023. Where around 75% of these sales will come from brick-and-mortar retail stores, with the rest occurring online. 

Smart Retail Logistics & Localized Micro-Fulfillment Strategies

With current Gen-Z , the needs to meet their smart retail solutions is soaring demand for same-day delivery is pushing the demand to support and integrate the retail system with logistic and supply chain.   

• Around 56% of shoppers abandon carts due to slow delivery, while 61% are ready to pay more for same-day shipping. Speed now drives purchase decisions. 
• The micro-fulfillment market is set to surge from $7.88 billion in 2025 to $43.25 billion by 2034, fueled by rising demand for faster, more convenient deliveries. 

The adoption of smart business process automation is also driving local micro-fulfillment with digital marketing trends in retail industry . Where micro-fulfillment is mini warehouse that are automated from backroom with custom warehouse software.

Omnichannel Engagement is the New Retail Standard 

Customers expect seamless online and offline retail integration across physical stores, E-commerce workflow automation, mobile apps, and social media is now essential to meet making true omnichannel engagement non-negotiable.

•  Customers expect consistency. Salesforce reports that 71% of customers prefer omnichannel experiences. 
• A survey of 46,000 retail shoppers revealed that 70% use a mix of online and in-store channels, while just 7% shop exclusively online and 20% stick to physical stores. 

AR, VR & Augmented Shopping Experience

Immersive tech like AR and VR is transforming retail industry through virtual try-ons and interactive product exploration—bridging physical and digital experiences like never before.

• According to Shopify, brands that use augmented reality in retail have experienced about a 200% increase in retail conversion rates. 
• While AR continues to establish itself as a trusted tool for shopper engagement, its momentum is undeniable—with forecasts from Allied Market Research estimating the AR retail market to hit $61.3 billion by 2031.

Re-Commerce

The resale and circular economy trend is booming, driven by consumer behavior trends in retail for Sustainable shopping habits  and affordable luxury, making re-commerce a key trends in retail industry.

• Re-commerce is booming—growing 20x faster than overall retail and 5x faster than off-price stores, according to Coresight Research. 
• Also, as per ThredUp, the secondhand fashion market is on track to double by 2027, reaching an estimated $70 billion in value.

The  Re-commerce of retail fashion is already a $73 billion industry, making up 3.5% of the global market. It’s set to surge, reaching $700 billion by 2030—nearly 10 times its current size and 23% of the overall fashion market. 

Reviving Brick-and-Mortar Retail Trend

Physical stores are evolving by integrating digital touchpoints and immersive technologies to offer engaging, seamless shopping experiences that bridge online and offline.

• It’s projected that by 2026, around 23,500 physical retail stores across the US could shut their doors, reflecting the ongoing shift in consumer shopping habits. 
• 90% of retailers say hyper-personalization is a must-have capability in today’s retail landscape 

Sustainable Retail & Conscious Consumerism Are Here to Stay 

Eco-conscious shoppers is one of the key trend in reshaping retail. From sustainable sourcing to recyclable packaging, brands are being held accountable for their environmental impact. 

• Eco-conscious shoppers are projected to spend as much as $700 billion globally on technology and durable goods by 2030. 
• As per the Census Bureau, close to 3/4 retail leaders are either already selling or considering offering pre-owned products, highlighting the growing momentum of the re-commerce movement. 

Green technologies and digital transformation are reshaping retail by boosting sustainability. For instance, blockchain allows retailers to track products across the supply chain, ensuring transparency, ethical sourcing, and reduced environmental impact.

Robotic Store Management for Operational Excellence 

Retailers are turning to robotics for inventory, shelf stocking, and back-end operations—boosting speed and accuracy while allowing staff to focus on customer care.

• According to McKinsey, Robotic. automation can cut store operation costs by up to 30% . 
• Also, McKinsey reports says that 23% of retail and consumer goods firms plan to invest over $500M in automation within five years—the highest among all sectors surveyed. 

Also Read: Crafting A Winning Digital Transformation Strategy: 7 Key Components

Voice Commerce: Shopping via Smart Speakers & Assistants

Smart speakers and virtual assistants are enabling hands-free shopping, from adding items to carts to completing purchases – consumers are adopting voice-activated shopping creating a new, frictionless buying journey. 

• According to Juniper Research, retailers are interested add Voice commerce to their platforms and this market is projected to reach $19.4B globally in 2025. 
• Around 30% of global internet users aged 16 to 64 use voice assistants on a weekly basis, reflecting their growing role in everyday digital interactions. 

Mobile Commerce & Mobile Self-Checkout 

Mobile-first experiences are dominating retail, with mobile self-checkout giving consumers faster, contactless, and more convenient shopping options. Where retail industry is truly navigating through a dynamic digital change.

• Retailers are catering to customer preferences by expanding payment choices, especially contactless options, as over 50% of Americans prefer tapping to pay or using mobile wallets. 
• According to eCommerce Times, 8 in 10 shoppers use their mobile phones while shopping in-store to read reviews, compare prices, or find alternatives nearby. . 

Zero-Checkout Retail Experiences: A Frictionless Future 

Retailers are increasingly integrating zero-checkout technologies that use AI, sensors, and computer vision to enable customers to simply pick up products and walk out. No lines. No scanning. No waiting.

• The global cashier-less store market is projected to reach $85.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 23.1%. 
•  Moreover, 74% of consumers say they prefer stores that offer a seamless checkout process, and 63% are willing to switch brands for it. 

Retail Enters the Metaverse: Virtual Stores & Experiences

Stores are increasingly adopting cashier-less checkout technologies that use sensors and AI to allow customers to walk out with purchases without traditional payment lines.

• According to Gartner, 25% of consumers will spend at least one hour per day in the metaverse by 2026. Meanwhile, 74% of Gen Z consumers have engaged with a brand in a virtual environment at least once. 
• In 2023 alone, over 120 major retail brands launched metaverse storefronts, and the global metaverse in retail market is expected to reach $85.5 billion by 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights. 

AI-Powered Dynamic Pricing in Retail 

Retailers are say no to static pricing models in favor of AI-powered dynamic pricing—where algorithms instantly tweak prices based on real-time supply, demand, competitor rates, and even weather trends. 

• McKinsey reports that dynamic pricing can increase revenue by up to 10% and improve profit margins by 5 to 7 percentage points. 
• Furthermore, 35% of retailers globally have already deployed AI-based pricing tools, and the global market for dynamic pricing software is projected to hit $23.8 billion by 2028, growing at 16.4% CAGR. 

Visual Search in Retail Apps 

Visual search allows shoppers to simply snap a photo to find the product instantly. Whether it’s a pair of sneakers on a stranger or a décor item on Instagram, AI-based visual search tools deliver fast and accurate results.

• Pinterest found that 62% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials prefer visual search over any other tech. Google Lens alone is now being used over 12 billion times per month, and its application in retail is driving a new wave of discovery-led shopping. 
• Retailers using visual search see up to 48% higher conversion rates, and this market is expected to exceed $33 billion by 2027. 

Sustainable Delivery & Packaging in Retail

Innovations in eco-friendly packaging and carbon-neutral delivery methods are becoming standard to reduce the environmental footprint of online shopping. For this reason, Retailers are responding – UPS, Amazon, and FedEx are investing billions into carbon-neutral logistics.

• Over 77% of shoppers say Sustainable trends in retail sector, packaging influences their buying decisions, according to Trivium Packaging.  
• Meanwhile, 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable delivery, says a survey by NielsenIQ. 

The eco-packaging market alone is expected to reach $413 billion by 2032, fueled by rising demand for compostable, recyclable, and reusable materials. 

Retail-as-a-Service (RaaS)

RaaS is adopting agility in retail. By outsourcing store infrastructure, technology like POS systems, and customer engagement tech, retailers can enable faster innovation and more flexible business processes. 

• According to CB Insights, the need for RaaS software is expected to grow around $40 billion by the year 2030. Already, 42% of retailers in North America are exploring RaaS solutions to scale without capital-heavy investments. 
• Brands like Target and Nordstrom are offering RaaS to smaller vendors, creating an ecosystem where tech, data, and space can be rented as easily as inventory. 

Trend of NFTs in Retail Loyalty Programs

NFTs are making their way into customer loyalty programs—offering members exclusive & unique digital assets, rewards, and experiences creating new engagement that can’t be replicated. 

• A report by Grand View Research projects the global NFT market to reach $211 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, 36% of Gen Z shoppers say they’re more likely to commit  with a brand offering NFTs as loyalty perks. 
• Also, retail luxury goods jewelry industry trends  have already launched successful NFT loyalty programs, and nearly 47% of retailers surveyed by Deloitte are exploring tokenized loyalty rewards to drive engagement and retention.

Tech for Frontline Retail Staff: Empowering In-Store Teams 

Digital transformation isn’t just customer-facing. Frontline retail staff are now equipped with wearable devices, real-time data dashboards, and mobile tools to improve service quality and efficiency.

• According to Zebra Technologies, 85% of retail workers say they feel more empowered using mobile technology, and stores using digital tools report over 20% improvements in transforming operations and gain productivity. 
• Investments in wearable retail tech are expected to exceed $8.4 billion by 2028, with retail innovation trends ranging from smart glasses to AI-powered inventory scanners, all designed to elevate the human touch in retail. 

Also Read: Easy QR Code and Barcode Scanning with Quixy

LCNC in Retail Industry: Key Drivers & Future Trends

The retail industry is rapidly adopting no-code and low-code platforms to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and accelerate digital transformation—without heavy reliance on developers. By 2025, Gartner predicts that 70% of new retail applications will use low-code, no-code tools, up from 25% in 2020.

Key Drivers of LCNC in Retail Industry

• Speed & Agility: Retailers can deploy AI-powered apps, omnichannel solutions, and automation workflows 5x faster than traditional coding.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces IT costs by up to 30%, enabling leaner innovation budgets.
• Democratization of Tech: Empowers non-technical teams to build custom tools—like inventory dashboards or loyalty apps—in-house.

Also Read: Retail Digital Transformation for Scalable Growth & Smarter Operations

Future Trends of LCNC in Retail Industry

• By 2026, 40% of retail process automation will be built on no-code platforms (Forrester).
• AI integration: No-code, low-code AI tools will drive hyper-personalization, with the market for such solutions projected to hit $29 billion by 2027.

Conclusion

While these Retail tech adoption offer transformative potential, the real challenge lies in implementation. But Quixy, can help you to empowers retailers to rapidly deploy custom solutions for retail management inventory management, customer engagement, ERP system and omnichannel workflows – all without extensive coding resources.

Ready to turn these retail trend, find future of work: what’s in store for your organization and get competitive advantage? Schedule a call now .Let our experts guide your digital transformation journey.

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