IDC FutureScape Figure

Figure: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Retail 2023 Top 10 Predictions

Executive Summary

IDC FutureScape Predictions

Summary of External Drivers

Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers

Prediction 1: By 2025, 20% of the Top 100 Global Retailers Will Drive Holistic Business Results Using Distributed AI Systems with Integrated Data Across Retail Planning, Decisions, Operations, and Optimization

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 2: By 2025, 50% of Retailers Will Increase Data Management and Governance Technology Investments by at Least 20% to Harness Insights from Spiraling Amounts of Data to Grow Omni-Channel Revenue

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 3: By 2027, 10% of Retailers Will Employ Software-Defined Store Services Models to Change the Economics of Delivering Game-Changing Technology in Store

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 4: By 2027, 40% of Retailers Will Implement Critical Product Life-Cycle KPIs That Tie Environmental Factors to Supplier Selection at All Tiers of Supply

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 5: By 2024, 60% of Retailers Worldwide Will Use API Integration to Connect Owned, Third-Party, and Social Commerce Platforms and Optimize Customers' Interfaces Through Multidimensional Marketplaces

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 6: By 2026, Retailers Will Solve the Challenge of Matching Inventory Plans to Omni-Channel Orders, Resulting in a 15% Reduction in Split Shipments, 7% Reduction in Packaging, and 20% Increase in CX

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 7: By 2024, 65% of Retailers Will Invest in Visual Commerce to Enable Personalization Through 3D Product Configuration and Virtual Try-On and Reduce Complexity Through Image-Based Interfaces

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 8: By 2026, 40% of Retailers Will Implement End-to-End Integrated Cloud Security Solutions to Secure Data Across Omni-Channel Applications and Endpoints While Reducing the Number of Cyberattacks and Losses

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 9: By 2025, Over 90% of the Top 100 Global Retailers Will Build Their Own or Will Partner with a Media Vendor/Provider to Build Retail Media Networks to Leverage First-Party Data for Revenue

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 10: By 2023, 75% of Enterprise Retailers Will Double Deployment of Mobile Devices for Associates to Empower Employees to Improve Customer Service by Continuous Learning, Communication, and Operational Guidance

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Advice for Technology Buyers

External Drivers: Detail

Cybersecurity and Risk — Scaling and Evolving Threat Environment

Global Supply Shock — Refocusing on Multisource and Resilience

Digital Business — Stepping Stone to the Future Enterprise

Meaningful Intelligence — Differentiated Decision Power

Ecosystem-Based Innovation — Driving Enterprise Value

Embracing the Metaverse — New Levels of Immersion

Mainstream ESG — Sustainability Is Measured and Mandatory

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