Exploring the Future: Ecommerce Predictions for 2026

As we get ready for another rollercoaster in 2026, ecommerce landscape is poised for continued transformation. In the last podcast of the year, James and Paul explore the trends and innovations that they think are set to define the industry.

Sponsored by Shopify, this episode offers an interesting analysis of what the future holds for ecommerce businesses.

Summary:

2025 has been a whirlwind, and as we look ahead, the question on everyone's mind is: what will 2026 bring? James and Paul put their necks on the block, predicting the future & focusing on key areas such as the evolution of the point of purchase, the expanding role of SEO and agentic commerce, and the strategic use of technology.

Key predictions:

Point of Purchase Evolution:

The traditional ecommerce website is still critical but where people buy is evolving. James predicts a shift towards instant checkouts and purchases made directly from ads, thanks to innovations from companies like PayPal and Stripe. This evolution is expected to increase the percentage of sales made outside traditional platforms.

SEO and agentic optimisation:

As AI continues to advance, the role of SEO is expanding. Paul highlights the need for businesses to adapt to new optimisation techniques that blend traditional SEO with agentic engine optimisation. This shift is expected to reignite the SEO industry, offering new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Tactical middleware:

The use of tactical middleware is set to become a game-changer for businesses. By leveraging third-party apps like Airtable and SuperBase, companies can solve specific challenges without the need for complex integrations. This approach simplifies development and reduces costs, making it an attractive option for many.

Inside Commerce's predictions for 2026 paint a picture of an industry in flux, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviours. As businesses prepare for 2026, staying informed and adaptable will be key to success.

What you'll get from the podcast:

• Gain insights into the latest ecommerce trends and how they affect business strategies.
• Understand the impact of AI on product discovery and customer engagement.
• Learn about the strategic shifts in customer loyalty programs.
• Discover the role of data intelligence in driving business success.
• Explore the growing influence of social commerce platforms like TikTok.

It has been another busy year in ecommerce, the year when AI became mainstream and sped into town on a wave of hype.

Our State of Industry podcast offers a strategic review of the ecommerce landscape during the past year, focusing on key trends and developments.

The episode delves into the impact of tariffs on cross-border trade and the genuinely transformative effect AI is having on the industry, highlighting how these factors have shaped business strategies and market dynamics.

We discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, particularly in product discovery, and the significant increase in AI-driven traffic to retail websites.

We also explore the evolving nature of customer loyalty programs, emphasising the shift from traditional points-based systems to more strategic, value-driven approaches that foster deeper customer relationships.

The podcast further examines the role of data intelligence in enhancing business decision-making, with a focus on the growing sophistication of data analysis tools and the importance of integrating AI capabilities.

Social commerce is also covered, noting the rise of platforms like TikTok as key players in the ecommerce space, rivaling established giants like Meta.

Key chapters:[00:00:30] Introduction and Overview[00:03:30] Impact of Tariffs and AI[00:10:00] Customer Loyalty Evolution[00:16:00] Data Intelligence in E-commerce[00:22:00] Rise of Social Commerce

*** the sound balance is a bit off on this episode and we couldn't resolve it in editing - apologies!

Shopify's bi-annual Editions launch is a key industry event that generates a lot of buzz.

Learn about the latest developments from Shopify's winter editions with Ben Homer, Senior Solutions Engineer at Shopify.

The discussion centers around the transformative impact of AI and agentic commerce on the platform, highlighting Shopify's commitment to enhancing both user and developer experiences.

Why listen:

• Get insights into Shopify's strategic direction
• Understand the potential of AI in commerce
• Learning about new tools that democratise business capabilities.

Key discussion points:

• Shopify's AI integration: explore how Shopify is leveraging AI to enhance platform capabilities, including the rollout of agentic commerce tools like Sidekick.
• Catalogs API Access: learn about the new access for developers to Shopify's catalogs API, enabling innovative tooling and expanded commerce capabilities.
• Pulse and SimGym: discover how these tools are democratising data-driven insights and testing, making advanced capabilities accessible to businesses of all sizes.
• Future of Shopify Flow: understand the potential of Shopify Flow in automating complex tasks and enhancing operational efficiency.
• Tinker and A/B Testing: get a glimpse into upcoming tools designed to simplify content creation and enhance hardware connectivity for Shopify users.