A short, curated list of free reports on AI, productivity and retail operations. We have replaced the older 2023 reports with the latest editions and added Norwegian sources that matter for staffing decisions in 2026.

Consumers and AI

IBM Institute for Business Value and NRF – Own the agentic commerce experience (January 2026)

Survey of more than 18,000 consumers in 23 countries and 200 executives. 72% still shop in physical stores, 45% use AI during purchase decisions and 35% want stores with minimal waiting time. 54% of executives report persistent data challenges across channels. Read the report

The Business of Fashion and McKinsey – The State of Fashion 2026 (November 2025)

Expects low single-digit growth for the fashion industry in 2026. More than 35% of executives already use generative AI, and resale is expected to grow two to three times faster than firsthand fashion through 2027. Read the report

Bain & Company – The future of retail: six disruptions that could shape the next decade (June 2025)

Six scenarios towards 2030, including extreme automation, AI shopping agents and fewer physical stores. Read the report

Industry benchmarks

Deloitte – Global Powers of Retailing 2025 (latest edition)

The world’s 250 largest retailers had US$6.03 trillion in retail revenue and 3.6% growth in FY2023. Apparel and accessories grew 6.0%. Read the report

Workforce and productivity

McKinsey & Company – How retailers can build and retain a strong frontline workforce (2024)

Career development and competitive pay decide whether frontline employees stay. 44% of frontline workers had considered leaving within three to six months. Read the report

Norway

Virke – Forecasts for Norwegian retail 2026 (April 2026)

Slightly lower value growth than in 2025. Grocery growth slows as food price inflation falls, while better purchasing power is expected to lift furniture, electronics and building supplies. Read the report

Technical Calculation Committee for Wage Settlements (TBU) – Basis for the 2026 wage settlements

Background figures for wages and prices in Norway. The 2026 lead settlement landed on a 4.4% wage framework (12 April 2026). Read the report

Statistics Norway (SSB) – Retail trade index

Monthly volume and value figures for Norwegian retail, by industry. Read the report

Regulation

EU – Digital Omnibus on AI, Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 (July 2026)

Moves the requirements for high-risk AI in employment to 2 December 2027. This includes AI used to allocate tasks or to monitor and evaluate employees. Transparency duties have applied in the EU since 2 August 2026. Norway has not yet incorporated the AI Act into the EEA Agreement. Read the report

From insight to action

Want to see how these trends play out in your stores? Start with a measurable pilot: setup in 2–4 weeks, then 90 days with 3–6 stores and a clear baseline. Contact support@retailinsight.no or book a demo.