The Backroom: Contemplating retail in 2026 with Doug Stephens
The upheaval and uncertainty of 2025 seem set to continue into 2026. For retailers directly connected to consumers, challenges at the economic, technological, and even social levels can be daunting. Take artificial intelligence, for example: American consumers have complex attitudes toward AI and overwhelmingly support regulation; meanwhile, research shows that AI's business impact is not yet clear. Industry consultant Doug Stephens and veteran journalist Daphne Howland, in this podcast episode, center on trust to explore what retailers and brands should consider in AI and other decisions that could shape the future of retail and beyond.
Welcome to The Backroom, a window into what goes on behind the scenes as the Retail Dive team covers the stories and trends reshaping retail. You can check out all our podcast episodes (past and present) here and listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify.
The upheaval and uncertainty that have marked 2025 seem poised to continue in 2026. For retailers, which have such a direct relationship with people, the economic, technological and even societal challenges can seem daunting.
When it comes to artificial intelligence, for example, retailers should keep in mind that U.S. consumers have mixed feelings about AI and overwhelmingly support regulation. Other research shows that the business impacts aren’t discernible yet.
At the center of this, as with any relationship, is trust. Industry adviser Doug Stephens joins Senior Reporter Daphne Howland to talk about what retailers and brands may want to consider as they make decisions about AI and more — which could shape the future of retail and beyond.
Resource links:
- What’s keeping Best Buy’s CEO up at night?
- Combating the consumer ‘joy deficit’ this season
- Consumers embrace AI for research, but few have allowed it to make purchases
- The enduring appeal of pens and paper in a digital era
Editor’s note: This episode was produced and edited by Caroline Jansen.