Coresight’s 8 areas in tech that will help grocers in 2026
Grocers will continue turning to technology this year to sharpen their focus on preserving margins, improving productivity and delivering differentiated customer experiences through data, automation and AI, according to a study released last week by retailer and tech research firm Coresight.
Coresight expects the U.S. grocery retail sector to grow 2.8% year over year in 2026 to reach $1.6 trillion, driven mainly by grocery inflation, which the firm predicts will average 2.3%. Volume growth, however, is expected to remain relatively flat.
Coresight outlined eight strategic priorities, along with the technology capabilities grocery retailers need to succeed this year and beyond:
Building agile supply chains: Technologies include advanced demand forecasting, agentic AI for inventory replenishment and data centralization.
Driving sustainable business practices: Key technologies include smart sensors, radio-frequency identification technology and blockchain to improve transparency and traceability.
Data-driven decision-making: Retail analytics and business intelligence platforms, along with intelligent inventory visibility tools, will play a critical role.
Maximizing operational efficiency with AI: This includes AI agents and digital twins.
Empowering the frontline workforce: Technologies include mobile and handheld devices, shift management and workforce optimization tools, as well as training and upskilling platforms.
Transforming stores through digital connectivity: Grocers will rely on computer vision-enabled self-checkout systems and advanced network connectivity.
Reinventing loyalty through personalized engagement: This includes loyalty programs and customer intelligence platforms.
Unlocking retail media value: Grocers can achieve this through AI-powered data platforms and in-store retail media enabled by hardware and software.
