If there’s one theme rising from the post-Black Friday chaos, it’s that the retail narrative is something however linear proper now. So says Lewis Hawkes, Senior Supervisor Retailer Working Mannequin UK&! at Currys.
In a LinkedIn publish, he mentioned: “I’ve been reviewing the information, and we’re seeing an enchanting tug of conflict between excessive tech adoption and conventional worth searching.”
Three particular narratives that stood out for Hawkes:
1. Whereas the business obsesses over digital dominance, bodily queues informed a powerful story this weekend. Reviews present that procuring centres have been busier than anticipated, with large footfall at specialist retailers like Sephora.
“Mixed with report site visitors at warehouse type membership membership retailers, principally Costco and the like, (up practically 10% in some areas), it’s clear that when the worth proposition is correct, folks nonetheless crave the bodily retailer expertise.”
2. On-line gross sales hit a large $11.8 billion, and the information suggests AI brokers have been concerned in 1 / 4 of these purchases. However the debate on how we use AI is essential.
“There’s legitimate scepticism that “procuring analysis” by way of chatbots is even a mass use case but, most searches are nonetheless transactional (shopping for), not analysis heavy (looking). Nonetheless, Walmart’s transfer to check advertisements in its Sparky AI search seems like a win right here. If AI search instruments are rising conversion charges, monetising that prime intent site visitors is a superb transfer to guard margins whereas holding customers on-site.”
3. Regardless of stories claiming 2026 would be the get away yr for sensible glasses, Hawkes is aligned with the sceptics. Until the tech turns into invisible and matches seamlessly into current trend frames, these gadgets danger turning into novelties that accumulate mud, he believes.
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