Hosting over 10,000 attendees, more than 900 retailers, and upwards of 200 speakers, Shoptalk is the world's largest retail and e-commerce conference. This year's event will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 24–26.
Here's what retailers and e-commerce marketers can expect from Shoptalk 2026, along with tips for how to prepare. We're also going over retail marketing trends so you can be up to speed on the latest innovations and seller strategies discussed at the event.
Why Shoptalk 2026 matters for retail marketers
Shoptalk 2026 matters for today's retail marketers because it offers up-to-the-minute insight into industry changes and a look at what's to come. Attending the event helps e-commerce brands take a more proactive approach to the evolving consumer economy and make the latest buyer trends work for them instead of against them.
What retailers glean from Shoptalk can help them shape marketing strategies and e-commerce decisions in the coming year. This gives them an edge over competitors while supporting their bottom line.
Key forces shaping retail marketing in 2026
Shoptalk is particularly critical for retailers this year. It's held at a time when AI is making its way to the forefront of many industries, and e-commerce is no exception. In fact, the theme of Shoptalk Spring 2026 is Retail in the Age of AI. Artificial intelligence will be highlighted throughout the conference's agenda, with discussions and panels on how brands can leverage the technology at scale.
Beyond AI's impact on current trends in retail marketing, attendees will learn about other key forces shaping retail. This includes retail e-commerce innovation, omnichannel buying experiences, evolving consumer habits, consumer trends across generations, and shopper expectations in the current retail landscape.,
Top retail marketing trends to watch
Here are some of the most critical retail marketing trends you can expect to learn about at Shoptalk. Attendees are wise to research each topic beforehand to prepare for the event.
AI-driven personalization & automation
In 2026 and beyond, AI in retail marketing will drive personalization at scale. The technology will allow for better marketing efficiency, helping brands reach audiences that align with their products and company mission, while helping buyers automate a lot of their shopping.
Omnichannel experiences & unified commerce
Brands are modernizing their retail strategies through omnichannel customer journeys. In 2026, physical and digital touchpoints will merge. This will give shoppers a more seamless experience, whether they're buying a product online, returning it at a store, picking up an online order, or arranging for same-day delivery.
Data privacy, trust, & first-party data
As the retail industry adopts AI and expands other digital buying experiences, brands will need to have first-party data strategies in place to ensure trust with their customers. This includes being up to speed with evolving data regulations and having strong cybersecurity that prioritizes privacy and minimizes AI risks.
To foster trust, brands should also be transparent about AI if they're using it to create content or reach potential customers.
How brands are preparing for Shoptalk 2026
Brands are preparing for Shoptalk 2026 by participating in the event's Meetup program, where they can network with other attendees, connect with potential partners, meet members of the media, build relationships with clients, and learn about the newest startups.
It's also wise to look over the agenda and prioritize which talks and sessions they want to see. Then, you can create a daily schedule, figure out where and when to meet with teams, and plan ahead for transportation.
Turning trends into actionable strategy
Brands can take what they learn from Shoptalk 2026 and turn the lessons into actionable strategies. The highly valuable insight from the event can help you fine-tune your retail marketing analytics, develop in-store digital experiences, expand your reach, and personalize customer interactions with your brand.
For instance, with AI-generated, highly personalized algorithms, TikTok Shop is expected to pull in $87 billion in sales in the coming year—a 56% year-over-year increase. Similarly, YouTubers have strong engagement rates, and the platform has 55% year-over-year growth in content creation. Brands can leverage this knowledge to form forward-thinking marketing campaigns and partnerships with digital creators.
See our white paper on The State of Creator Compensation to learn more.
Final thoughts on 2026 retail marketing trends
Brands should keep their finger on the pulse of the e-commerce industry and stay ahead of trends to set themselves up for success in 2026 and beyond.
CreatorIQ has resources and tools to scale your business with digital creators. You can find creators, track insights, manage campaigns, launch affiliate programs, and onboard new partners, all within an easy-to-use creator management platform.
Request a demo for our creator campaign management platform to get started, or, if you’re attending the event, meet us at Shoptalk booth #2170.
Sources:
Shoptalk. Shoptalk Spring Home. https://spring.shoptalk.com/home
Shoptalk Spring. 2026 Agenda. https://spring.shoptalk.com/agendas/2026-agenda
Shoptalk Spring. Meetup: The World's Most Effective Retail Meetings Program. https://spring.shoptalk.com/agendas/2026-agenda
Yahoo! Finance. Shoptalk Announces Initial Speakers for 2026 Spring Event in Las Vegas. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/shoptalk-announces-initial-speakers-2026-140000555.html
National Retail Federation (NRF). 10 trends and predictions for retail in 2026. https://nrf.com/blog/10-trends-and-predictions-for-retail-in-2026
Retail Dive. 6 retail trends to watch in 2026. https://www.retaildive.com/news/retail-trends-to-watch-2026/808341/
Forbes. 3 Major Trends That Will Reshape Retail In 2026. https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherineerdly/2025/12/22/3-major-retail-trends-that-will-reshape-retail-in-2026/
CreatorIQ. How YouTube Creators Drive Powerful Results for Retailers. https://www.creatoriq.com/youtube-creators-retail
CreatorIQ. The State of Creator Compensation: How Value Is Distributed in the Creator Economy, and What Comes Next. https://www.creatoriq.com/white-papers/creator-compensation