As 2026 approaches, the retail landscape in Asia is set for significant transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the modernisation of technological systems. Genevieve Broadhead, Global Lead for Retail Solutions at MongoDB, highlights a growing divide between retailers adopting modern architectures and those hindered by outdated systems. This gap is increasingly impacting performance and innovation across the sector.
Retailers are urged to adopt an “AI First” mindset, preparing their data and systems for agentic commerce—a concept where transactions and protocols are managed by AI agents. Broadhead notes that whilst the future of online commerce through agents remains uncertain, the necessity for readily available data is clear. “Retailers are shifting to an ‘AI First’ or ‘agentic first’ mindset,” she states, emphasising the importance of flexibility and speed in system design.
The ability to maintain speed and availability, even under unpredictable workloads, is crucial. As consumer expectations rise, any performance issues could lead to lost revenue and brand damage. Retailers investing in modern platforms and focusing on agentic AI innovation are better positioned to succeed in this competitive market. Broadhead asserts, “The ability to release iteratively without downtime or complex schema change will be key to keeping your development teams shipping at the pace of the industry.”
