Why agentic AI and unified commerce will define ecommerce in 2026 (www.techradar.com)

Agentic AI and unified commerce are poised to transform the ecommerce landscape by 2026, thanks to growing consumer comfort with AI tools and the increasing demand for seamless retail operations. A recent Eurostat report highlights that 32.7% of EU internet users utilized generative AI tools in 2025, while Gartner forecasts that nearly 40% of enterprise applications will feature task-specific AI agents by 2026. This shift emphasizes the necessity for unified operational data across inventory, orders, and pricing to enable effective automation and improve customer experiences, particularly when integrating online and offline retail strategies. The significance of unified commerce platforms lies in their ability to consolidate operational data, allowing retailers to deliver consistent experiences, automate processes confidently, and meet consumer expectations. With nearly 77% of EU internet users already engaged in online shopping, the importance of accurate, real-time data has never been more critical. The implementation of agentic AI will optimize operational tasks, ensuring retailers can reliably execute actions like customer service resolution and inventory management without the risks associated with incomplete data. Retailers that prioritize data governance and operational resilience will ultimately thrive as AI adoption accelerates in the coming years.