The 2026 commerce readiness index

Retailers and brands are heading into 2026 facing a mix of fast-moving challenges, including economic volatility, shifting consumer behaviors, rapid AI advancement, and complex profitability pitfalls. 

To understand how commerce leaders are responding, Rithum partnered with Wakefield Research to survey 200 decision-makers across the U.S. and U.K. Respondents included c-suite executives, operations leaders, marketers, and technologists from companies of all sizes. 

The 2026 commerce readiness index is the result. Our internal experts analyzed the survey data to help put together a clear view of where leaders say execution is falling short—and how they are adjusting strategies to keep up. 

Short on time? Get a sneak peek of the report insights in this one-pager.

Key insights from the index: 

• Data trust is broken. Three out of four leaders say outdated or inaccurate data still drives key decisions. 
• Manual work is slowing progress. Over half of respondents still rely on spreadsheets and other manual processes to run daily operations. 
• AI ambition is outpacing readiness. While AI adoption is accelerating, foundational gaps in data, processes, and team alignment are limiting its impact. 
• Revenue is leaking across the customer journey. Friction is showing up from the first ad impression to final return, creating costly drop-off points. 

If you’re asking yourself, Are we moving fast enough? Are we focusing on the right problems? you’re not alone. The 2026 commerce readiness index will help you answer those questions by diving deep into how your peers are tackling similar obstacles, where they’re gaining traction, what keeps them up at night, and what is shaping their plans for 2026. 

Use the index to benchmark your readiness, set clear priorities, and build a 2026 strategy focused on performance.