Retailers and CPG companies are no longer dabbling in AI—they’re bankrolling it. NVIDIA’s latest survey shows that 90% of industry leaders plan to hike their AI budgets in 2026, focusing heavily on open-source tools and agentic AI. Why? Because AI isn’t just handling analytics; it’s pulling serious weight in supply chain forecasting, customer personalization, and real-time operations. Nearly half of respondents are already testing or deploying autonomous AI agents for tasks like dynamic pricing and vendor management. The tech is moving from sexy demos to actual, bottom-line results.
Open-source is getting a lion’s share of attention, with 79% of companies calling it central to their AI strategy. Unlike past reliance on proprietary tools, retailers are now keen on customization, control, and community-driven improvement. Turns out owning your models—and the keys to the kingdom—pays off. The results speak volumes: 89% say AI is growing revenue, and 95% report lower annual costs. In some cases, companies saw revenue jump over 10%, and costs drop by the same margin. Not bad for a “boring use case” strategy.
Physical AI also popped up, with in-store robotics and AI-enhanced warehouse systems getting traction. From smarter shelf stocking to better pricing decisions, these tools are making retail logistics sharper and faster. Supply chain problems remain a major pain point, but companies say AI is helping alleviate them by adding accuracy to demand forecasting and improving transparency. Whether it’s scanning inventory or suggesting the perfect SKU, AI isn’t just changing the shopping experience—it’s overhauling the engine room.
Full story at NVIDIA.