Agentic commerce is atop many minds but vaguely understood. Is it an inflection point in buyers’ journeys or a fad? Digital business and marketing leaders must grasp its definition and potential. This conversation will be hosted by Emily Pfeiffer and Nikhil Lai and will include open discussion with participants, so please bring your questions and experiences to share with the group. Questions for discussion:What is agentic commerce and how will it evolve? What are the implications for owned channels (brand website) and non-owned channels (answer engines like ChatGPT)?How should digital business and marketing leaders adapt commerce search, product discovery, and answer engine optimization?Peer discussions are available exclusively to Forrester Decisions VIP Leaders and Leader license holders for their own participation.

In 2026, US retailers will spend $113 billion on their technology spending, up 6.6% YOY. The industry’s needs to modernize infrastructure, adopt AI at scale, and support omnichannel experiences are driving this change. As retailers navigate margin pressure, shifting consumer expectations, and rapid advances in automation and data capabilities, tech spending decisions will determine competitiveness and profitability. Join Emily Pfeiffer and Jitender Miglani as they analyze retail tech budgets and the implications for retail leaders as they balance efficiency, innovation, customer experiences, and long-term growth.Key takeaways: What are the market factors and retailer priorities driving US retail tech spend in 2026? How are macroeconomic forces, cost pressures, and shifting consumer behavior influencing retail tech priorities?How should retail leaders align 2026 tech budgets to improve profitability, agility, and customer outcomes?Target audience level: all levels