AI

The customer experience (CX) is on the brink of radical change. By 2030, new technologies, shifting demographic expectations and global shopping patterns will fundamentally transform the way customers interact with brands.

The importance of customer experience (CX) has changed fundamentally in recent years: customers now expect consistent, personalised and seamless experiences across all channels.

Modern marketing teams can efficiently manage content using digital catalogue software and smart omnichannel strategies – from product displays on the shelves to viral TikTok campaigns. Plus: the latest trends, challenges and best practices for 2026.

Marketing departments today are under paradoxical pressure: campaigns must become faster, more personalised and, at the same time, more compliant with regulations. While the number of channels is growing, the time available for planning and coordination is decreasing.

Those who claim that the power of print media is waning need only look at the figures to see how far this is from the truth. According to reports, print media is one of the most trusted media channels among consumers, who trust newspapers and magazines more than any other type of advertising when making purchasing decisions. In fact, 82 per cent of Americans rely on newspaper and magazine advertising as a reliable source.

In 2026, the retail industry will face a clear reality: traditional monolithic commerce systems will no longer be able to keep pace with the dynamics of modern retail requirements. Data silos, long release cycles and a lack of flexibility will hinder innovation – both online and at the point of sale.

Print marketing remains a critical part of the retail customer journey even as digital channels dominate the conversation. Weekly circulars, in-store signage, catalogs, and direct mail continue to influence purchasing decisions, often more powerfully than digital ads alone. What is changing now is how retailers are enhancing these traditional channels with artificial intelligence.

Discover how PIM helps retailers identify customer trends and optimise market fulfilment – for increased sales and agility.

Whether it's reels, TikToks, stories or interactive videos – marketing has changed radically in recent years. Attention has become the hardest currency to come by. Those who win it sell. Those who lose it disappear.