12 • Tech, Software & Marketing


New Year Business Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 14 January 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


Five retail areas where AI will have the biggest impact throughout 2026


Key trends from Mindera’s Ecommerce Insights report to help retailers shape their 2026 technology strategy


When Retail Week recently polled retailers on where they were investing in AI, the biggest focus was on improving the customer experience and data use, cited by over three-quarters of respondents. Plus, marketing, supply chain, HR, merchandising and cybersecurity were also named by around half of retailers surveyed. But where can retailers get the


most value and impact from the technology across 2026? As part of Mindera’s latest ecommerce report, the company’s retail technology experts drew on hundreds of conversations with their clients, including major supermarkets and


AI-driven models can help buyers set stock levels to avoid waste on seasonal goods, while avoiding under buying and missing out


an iconic London department store, and technology vendors, plus sourced independent and third-party research. Here are their top five recommendations:


1. DRIVING SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY Pick and delivery route optimisation are common quick wins where AI can make an impact. AI-driven buying models can also help buyers set the right stock levels to avoid waste on perishable/ seasonal goods, while avoiding under buying and missing out.


highest returns from AI are being seen in this area.


Mindera is a global AI-enabled consulting and software


engineering company that builds intelligent systems


that optimise efficiency and value, fix broken customer journeys and unlock growth


3. STREAMLINING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AI analysis of sales data can predict demand and inform new features. Mindera built an AI model for a large UK retailer that turned customer feedback into product development insights, saving staff time compiling data and speeding up the process.


4. OPTIMISING PRICING AI solutions for pricing


2. BOOSTING MERCHANDISING EFFECTIVENESS Web page merchandising is increasingly controlled by algorithms and AI, including personalised sort orders, ‘You May Also Like’ product similarity recommendations, personalised product feeds and AI-generated merchandising lists. Some of the


recommendation and revenue maximisation will continue to perform well across 2026. They tend to deliver the strongest ROI for complex businesses with seasonal or variable demand or macro-economic influences, such as those in travel, luxury fashion, perishable goods and event ticketing.


For further information


Visit: mindera.com/blog/ecommerce-insights-winter-2025 E: hello@mindera.com


5. TRANSFORMING SEARCH Customers are getting increasingly comfortable using prompt-based AI chat tools (like ChatGPT) and will soon demand them from ecommerce companies. Few retailers have yet to launch this capability providing early-


adopter opportunities to significantly enhance search and drive sales. Access Mindera’s full Ecommerce


Insights report and discover more how to optimise the impact and value of AI across your business via the QR code.


ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE How AI-ready businesses will thrive in 2026


As UK businesses enter 2026, many leaders are recognising that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a practical tool


AI is capable of improving efficiency, accuracy and customer experience across everyday operations. Yet, despite the rapid growth of AI offerings, many organisations still feel unsure about where to begin or how to implement automation safely and effectively. This is where SwiftCase, a UK-


based technology firm specialising in business AI and workflow automation, believes companies can gain a significant competitive advantage. The organisation helps businesses become ‘AI ready’ by assessing existing processes, identifying bottlenecks and designing practical automation solutions that integrate smoothly with day-to-day operations. Rather than focusing on experimental or unproven


Despite the rapid growth of AI, many organisations still feel unsure about where to begin or how to implement automation safely


technologies, SwiftCase concentrates on robust, real-world applications. These include automated data capture, voice-driven customer interactions, streamlined reporting tools and systems that support staff by removing repetitive or administrative tasks. The company notes that many businesses underestimate the time lost to manual entry, duplicated effort and disconnected systems. By addressing these areas first, companies often achieve the fastest gains in productivity. A growing area of interest


is voice automation, where AI systems can guide customers through structured conversations and pass detailed information directly into business workflows. While this technology has gained traction in sectors such as insurance and services, its potential extends far wider. Appointment booking, customer updates, triage questions and information gathering can all be handled reliably through natural- sounding, AI-powered interactions. Crucially, SwiftCase emphasises


that effective automation doesn’t replace human expertise. Instead,


SwiftCase believes UK organisations can enter the new year stronger, more efficient and ready for the opportunities AI presents


Exclusive New Year


offer: complimentary process review for readers using code OFFER26, valid until 31 March 2026.


AI tools act as digital assistants, improving consistency and freeing teams to focus on more complex or personal elements of their roles. The company advocates a ‘human-in- the-loop’ approach, ensuring that people remain at the centre of decision- making while AI handles routine tasks at speed and scale. As 2026 unfolds, the businesses that gain the most value


from automation will be those that prepare early,


understand their operational


needs and adopt technologies that genuinely support staff and customers. With practical guidance, thoughtful implementation and a focus on measurable improvements, SwiftCase believes UK organisations can enter the new year stronger, more efficient and ready for the opportunities AI presents.


For further information


Visit: swiftcase.ai T: 0151 294 3177


ADAM & NIK, FOUNDERS OF SWIFTCASE


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