1、SPRING 2026 RETAIL REPORTHow AI Is Redefining Retail Real Estate in 2026What Landlords,Developers&Retailers Need to KnowAI is Rewriting the Path to PurchaseAI is rewriting how consumers discover,evaluate,and purchase.Nearly half of shoppers now use AI for product recommendations,and consumer adoptio
2、n of AI agents is projected to more than double by the end of 2026 from 19%to 46%.The retailers and landlords integrating AI into their builds are pulling decisively ahead of those still treating AI as a wait-and-see experiment.The revenue impact is already measurable.Macys reports that users of its
3、 AI-powered shopping assistant spend approximately 400%more than other customers,demonstrating a clear link between AI engagement and revenue growth.Nearly 40%of major U.S.retailers have already implemented AI shopping assistants a clear signal that competitive differentiation is accelerating,and th
4、at the window to lead rather than follow is narrowing.At the same time,AI is reshaping product discovery.Roughly 75%of shoppers say AI significantly influences their purchase decisions,meaning the path to purchase is being rewritten in real time.Retailers without a credible AI presence risk losing t
5、he sale before a consumer ever reaches a store or the checkout counter.Generational adoption signals where this is heading.64%of Gen Z believe brands are still maintaining a human touch when using AI-driven interactions,compared to 46%of consumers overall a gap that suggests AI-mediated retail will
6、feel native,not novel,to the cohort entering peak earning years.The store of tomorrow is being designed today:New builds require 5G,dedicated fulfillment zones,and higher technology density from day one.The traditional occupancy cost ratio no longer tells the full story landlords who adapt their met