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Retail Times: New Rithum report reveals retail sector struggling to keep up with pace of AI
Rithum, a leading global commerce solutions provider, today launched the 2026 Commerce Readiness Index. Based on a survey of 200 U.S. and U.K. retail and brand executives, the report reveals the fault lines shaping readiness for 2026, from AI adoption and tariff mitigation to fragmented workflows. It highlights where leaders are focusing amid growing pressure to modernise operations and where they are falling short on efficiency, speed, and competitiveness.
Based on the survey responses, the report highlights what commerce leaders say are their five critical challenges for 2026:
Shaky AI adoption: Nearly three quarters of leaders say AI is evolving faster than they can adopt it, creating a widening execution gap. But at the same time, many are rushing into AI investments without fixing underlying data quality issues—risking faster, automated bad decisions.
About Rithum
Rithum (formerly CommerceHub and ChannelAdvisor) is a leading global commerce solution that supports the entire commerce journey—from product listing and discovery to order fulfillment and performance optimization. By streamlining the path to purchase, Rithum enables brands and retailers to operate more efficiently, so they can maximize profitability.
With AI-powered automation, unified insights, and seamless integration across commerce and media channels, Rithum allows your team to focus on growth strategies while we handle the complexity of omnichannel orchestration. Whether you’re launching new products, expanding into new markets, or optimizing retail media campaigns, Rithum helps you turn every customer touchpoint into a revenue-driving opportunity.
Top global retailers and brands, such as Adidas, Best Buy, B&Q, Draper Tools, The Home Depot, and Zalando, trust Rithum to streamline their commerce operations and maximize results. With teams based in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Spain, and Australia, we partner with clients worldwide to make commerce smarter, faster, and more connected.
Media Contact
Walker Sands, for Rithum
rithum@walkersands.com
