The year 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for global commerce. The rise of AI-powered experiences and rapidly evolving customer expectations are transforming how businesses operate and compete. Our survey found that two-fifths of consumers would pay about 25% more for a personalized or tailored shopping experience, showing just how important data-led interactions have become.

At the same time, new sustainability and compliance regulations — including the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative in Europe — are raising the bar for transparency and traceability. Customers now expect consistent, reliable product experiences across every touchpoint, while organizations must manage complex data ecosystems, coordinate with suppliers, and stay agile in the face of growing regulatory demands.

In this fast-changing environment, Product Information Management (PIM) can act as the foundation for digital transformation, empowering businesses to manage and activate product information with greater efficiency and control. By allowing teams to align around a single source of truth and by streamlining how data flows across the organization, a modern PIM built on an API-first architecture enables smooth data exchange, faster integrations, and the flexibility to scale as your business grows.

As we move toward 2026, let’s look at the biggest challenges businesses will face — and how PIM can help solve them!

How PIM Can Solve Businesses’ Problems in 2026

To stay competitive in 2026 and beyond, businesses must overcome several critical data and operational challenges. Here’s how PIM plays a key role in tackling them:

1. Fragmented and Inconsistent Product Data

Disorganized and scattered product data remains one of the biggest barriers to business growth. Many organizations still rely on disconnected systems, from ERPs and spreadsheets to eCommerce platforms and DAMs, which leads to duplication and wasted time. These silos make it nearly impossible to deliver accurate and consistent product information across channels, hurting customer trust and operational efficiency. As regulatory and consumer expectations for data accuracy continue to rise, fragmented product information poses an increasingly costly risk.

PIM solves this by serving as a central hub for all product information, a single source of truth that unifies data from multiple systems. It provides a structured, governed environment where teams can enrich, validate, and distribute consistent product data across all channels. By ensuring that every stakeholder works from the same reliable foundation, businesses can eliminate redundancy and improve data accuracy well into 2026 and beyond.

2. Limited Readiness for AI and Data-Driven Experiences

AI-driven commerce is on the rise; in fact, SEMrush predicts that AI-powered search experiences will become the preference over traditional search methods by 2028. But here’s the secret: AI relies heavily on clean and enriched product data. Without it, recommendation engines, chatbots, and search algorithms deliver poor results, leading to missed opportunities and frustrated customers. Many organizations still struggle to prepare their data for these advanced use cases, limiting their ability to deliver personalized and predictive experiences.

PIM provides the data foundation needed for effective AI implementation. By ensuring product data is complete and standardized, PIM allows AI tools to perform at their best. This leads to more relevant search results, smarter recommendations, and improved automated content generation. With a reliable source of structured product information, businesses can confidently adopt AI technologies that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

3. Slow Product Launches and Time-to-Market Delays

Manual workflows, disconnected tools, and repeated data entry often slow down product launches, costing businesses valuable time in competitive markets. When teams across departments and regions work from different data sources, even minor updates require days or weeks of coordination. These inefficiencies not only delay launches but also limit the ability to respond quickly to changing market trends and consumer demands.

With PIM solutions, businesses can accelerate product launches through streamlined workflows, automation, and centralized collaboration. Teams can enrich data and approve changes within one unified platform, streamlining the journey from concept to launch. By improving visibility and eliminating duplicate work, PIM helps brands bring products to market faster — whether launching new lines or updating existing assortments.

Akeneo PIM takes this even further with tools designed to make the entire product launch process more intelligent and efficient. Its industry-centric product family templates simplify catalog modeling by preselecting the most relevant attributes for specific industries. Teams can automate repetitive tasks, from populating shared attributes and transforming data upon import to updating categories in bulk. The platform also pinpoints missing information and ensures that every product meets completeness and compliance standards before launch. With these capabilities, Akeneo PIM allows teams to focus on what matters most: enriching product data to create compelling experiences that drive conversions. It also helps businesses achieve a more scalable time-to-market.

4. Rising Sustainability and Compliance Expectations

As regulations like the Digital Product Passport (DPP) fully come into effect in 2026, businesses must prepare to manage both detailed and transparent product data. Customers and regulators alike expect visibility into sourcing, materials, recyclability, and carbon footprint. Essentially, all the information that is often scattered and difficult to maintain. Without a unified system, brands face compliance risks and reputational challenges.

A PIM solution centralizes and structures all product data in one place, making it easier to collect information from suppliers, enrich it with sustainability attributes, and standardize formats for compliance. Teams can capture critical environmental and social metrics with accuracy and confidence. By consolidating data into a single source of truth, businesses improve visibility across their supply chain and create a clearer product record that’s ready for DPP reporting.

With Akeneo PIM, businesses gain a future-proof foundation for sustainability and compliance management. It enables collaboration between marketing, product, and sustainability teams, ensuring everyone contributes to the same structured dataset. As regulations evolve, Akeneo PIM adapts. It allows brands to integrate with new DPP interfaces and scale across markets with ease. By providing a centralized structure for sustainability data, Akeneo PIM simplifies compliance and strengthens brand trust. It positions businesses as transparent, responsible leaders in the evolving landscape of 2026 and beyond!

5. Complex Multichannel and Omnichannel Management

A consistent and engaging product experience is now the expected standard for shoppers across every channel, from brand websites to online marketplaces. However, each channel comes with its own data structures, format requirements, and content rules, making it increasingly difficult for teams to manage product information manually. These challenges often lead to inconsistencies and inaccuracies that undermine brand trust and compromise the customer experience.

PIM simplifies this by enabling businesses to standardize and adapt information for every channel efficiently. Teams can easily update media and descriptions while maintaining a consistent brand voice and product story across regions and platforms. This streamlined approach ensures that every channel reflects accurate product content.

Beyond PIM, Akeneo Activation takes multichannel management even further by helping brands publish enriched product data directly to leading retailer and marketplace sites. Once a channel is enabled, required and optional attributes become visible within Akeneo, allowing teams to map existing PIM data to each destination’s specific requirements. Operations can also be configured to automatically transform PIM data to match each channel’s standards, eliminating repetitive manual work. This tight integration between Akeneo PIM and Akeneo Activation creates a powerful feedback loop, ensuring accurate data distribution and scalable automation across every digital touchpoint. The result is a cohesive, high-performing omnichannel experience that drives conversions and customer loyalty!

6. Poor Product Data Quality and Governance

Incomplete or inaccurate product data not only disrupts internal processes but also damages customer confidence. Inconsistent product naming and outdated content can lead to poor search performance, higher return rates, and (as you guessed it) lost sales. Without clear governance, maintaining data accuracy becomes increasingly difficult as product catalogs grow and evolve.

PIM provides built-in quality controls that ensure every product meets defined completeness and validation rules before publication. Its governance framework gives businesses visibility into data readiness and establishes accountability across teams. By maintaining high standards of product data quality, organizations can improve the customer experience and ensure long-term consistency as they scale globally.

7. Challenges in Global Expansion and Localization

Entering new markets requires accurate, culturally relevant, and compliant product information — a process that quickly becomes overwhelming without the right systems. Teams must manage multiple languages, currencies, measurement systems, and regional regulations, often juggling spreadsheets and manual translations. These inefficiencies not only slow expansion but also risk introducing inaccuracies that harm credibility with local consumers.

PIM simplifies global expansion by enabling businesses to manage multilingual and regional data in one centralized platform. Teams can easily localize content for each market while keeping it aligned with the central source of truth in PIM. The system’s flexible data model supports region-specific attributes, legal requirements, and brand messaging, empowering organizations to expand confidently into new markets while maintaining efficiency and brand integrity.

8. Inconsistent Supplier and Partner Data

Supplier data often arrives in multiple formats, varying levels of completeness, and inconsistent quality, forcing teams to spend countless hours cleaning and validating information. These errors create friction that delay product onboarding and disrupt the flow of accurate information throughout the organization.

PIM addresses this challenge by offering a structured environment where supplier data can be imported, validated, and enriched efficiently. It ensures that all information entering the system meets the organization’s data standards and can be seamlessly published to downstream channels.

To take this even further, Akeneo Supplier Data Manager (SDM) works hand in hand with Akeneo PIM, enabling suppliers to upload, correct, and enrich product data directly through a standardized interface. This collaboration centralizes supplier data collection and ensures consistency at the source by flagging errors in real time for immediate correction. By reducing manual intervention and streamlining product data normalization, businesses can onboard products faster and more accurately! This leads to a more efficient ecosystem where suppliers and internal teams work together to maintain high-quality, market-ready product data, all within Akeneo Product Cloud or as a standalone solution.

9. Siloed Collaboration and Inefficient Workflows

When teams rely on spreadsheets and manual updates, collaboration becomes slow and error-prone. Marketing, product, and eCommerce departments often work in isolation, duplicating efforts and losing visibility into the product data lifecycle. These silos lead to delays and miscommunication, which lead to missed opportunities to improve product experiences!

However, PIM eliminates silos by providing a shared workspace where teams can collaborate in real time. It guides teams through the enrichment process with defined roles, structured workflows, and task assignments, ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities and works toward shared goals. This not only streamlines processes and enhances productivity but also improves data consistency across departments, creating an aligned way of working.

Akeneo Shared Catalogs takes collaboration a step further by simplifying product data sharing and communication across teams and partners. Through a secure online product portal, sales and service teams, distributors, and retailers can access up-to-date and customized digital catalogs on demand — all synchronized automatically with Akeneo PIM. By enabling internal and external teams with real-time access to accurate product information, businesses can reduce time spent searching for data, bring products to market faster, and deliver richer customer experiences.

10. Lack Of Visibility into Product Content Performance

Many businesses publish product information without truly understanding how it performs across channels. Without visibility into content engagement or conversion impact, teams struggle to improve product storytelling and optimize data for customer needs.

PIM establishes the foundation for performance insight by ensuring high-quality product data across every channel. It allows teams to monitor completeness and ensure accuracy before publication.

When combined with Akeneo PX Insights and Akeneo Business Analytics, businesses gain a complete view of how product content drives engagement, conversions, and overall performance. PX Insights transforms customer behavior signals into actionable insights directly within Akeneo PIM. These insights help businesses refine content based on real customer interactions and boost visibility across channels. Meanwhile, Akeneo Business Analytics, built into Akeneo PIM, tracks key metrics such as sales, page views, and conversion rates to evaluate enrichment effectiveness and identify opportunities for optimization. Together, these tools provide the visibility needed to continuously refine product experiences and drive sustained omnichannel growth.

Preparing for 2026 and Beyond

As 2026 approaches, the ability to manage, trust, and activate product data will define which businesses thrive in the evolving digital landscape. Customer expectations and the rise of AI are transforming how brands must operate, and product information sits at the center of it all.

With Akeneo PIM and the broader Akeneo Product Cloud, organizations can build a single, scalable foundation for product data excellence. By breaking down silos, improving data quality, and unlocking insights across every channel, businesses can stay agile and customer-focused — ready to lead the next era of commerce with confidence.

The lines between online carts and shopping carts have never been blurrier, and that’s exactly how today’s consumers like it. One minute they’re comparing prices on their phones, the next they’re standing in an aisle scanning QR codes for reviews, and by evening, that same product shows up in their social feed with a “Still thinking about this?” nudge. 

Welcome to hybrid shopping, where convenience meets curiosity and the path to purchase weaves seamlessly between clicks and bricks.

As the 2025 holiday season approaches, the retail stage is set for another data-fueled shopping spectacle. While 51% of consumers plan to use online marketplaces, nearly half also intend to shop in-store at national and local retailers. The ability to navigate effortlessly between digital and physical touchpoints is the standard expectation for the modern holiday shopper

And behind this fluid experience? Artificial Intelligence. From smarter recommendations to predictive inventory, AI is the quiet driver behind hybrid shopping, helping brands meet customers wherever, whenever, and however they choose to shop. The question isn’t whether AI will change the way we shop, but how deeply it already has.

What Is Hybrid Shopping?

Hybrid shopping is the blend of online and in-store experiences, giving consumers the freedom to move naturally between eCommerce and brick-and-mortar channels. It provides consumers with the comfort of shopping online while enabling them to research or purchase those same products in brick-and-mortar stores. It’s not about choosing one channel over another, but about creating a consistent, flexible journey that fits how people actually shop today.

A shopper might browse online, test a product in-store, and complete the purchase through an app — or do it all in reverse! They might even choose options like Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) to pair digital ease with real-world speed. For brands, that agility demands connected product experiences across every touchpoint, a challenge increasingly powered and perfected by AI.

How AI Improves Hybrid Shopping

Artificial intelligence is transforming the hybrid shopping journey by bridging the gap between digital and in-store experiences. By analyzing data, predicting behavior, and personalizing interactions, AI empowers retailers to meet shoppers wherever they are, whether that’s online, in-app, or on the sales floor, with relevant, seamless experiences. 

Let’s take a look at five key ways AI enhances the hybrid shopping experience, helping brands create smarter, more connected, and more satisfying customer journeys.

1. Smarter Product Discovery

Finding the right product in a hybrid world shouldn’t feel like a treasure hunt. That’s where AI-powered visual and voice search steps in, making discovery faster and more intuitive. Instead of typing long or uncertain queries, shoppers can simply snap a photo, describe an item aloud, or use natural language to find what they’re looking for. IKEA’s app, for example, uses visual search to let customers take a picture of an item they like and instantly receive matching or complementary furniture suggestions. This turns inspiration into action by offering immediate, relevant results that mirror real-world intent.

Amazon’s app takes a similar approach with voice search, allowing users to tap the microphone icon and speak to look for products — no wake word or typing required. It’s a small but powerful example of how AI adapts to human behavior rather than the other way around. For hybrid shoppers moving between digital and physical worlds, these capabilities remove uncertainty and make product discovery feel more responsive.

2. More Tailored, Personalized Experiences

AI is redefining what personalization means in modern commerce. By analyzing browsing patterns, purchase history, and even subtle behavioral cues, intelligent systems can predict what shoppers want before they know it themselves. Sephora’s Virtual Artist app is a perfect example — it allows users to try on makeup virtually, but its real magic lies in how it recommends products! By understanding a shopper’s skin tone and preferences, the app suggests foundations and skincare products that feel tailor-made. It’s personalization that feels human, not because it replaces intuition, but because it enhances it.

Shoppers are clearly embracing this shift toward more interactive, tech-driven experiences. Between 40% and 45% of consumers say they’re interested in using AI-powered agents, voice assistants, or virtual reality (VR) tools to explore product features. Consumers want to experience products through immersive, intelligent tools that help them make smarter decisions. 

This depth of customization doesn’t just improve discovery; it influences buying decisions in powerful ways. Nearly half (49%) of shoppers say AI-powered recommendations directly impact what they purchase. Whether it’s curated product bundles or cross-sell suggestions, AI ensures that every interaction feels relevant, timely, and designed around real intent.

3. Faster Shopping with AI Checkout

ChatGPT’s new Instant Checkout transforms the hybrid shopping journey by collapsing discovery and purchase into a single conversational flow. When consumers ask ChatGPT for product recommendations, whether while browsing in-store via mobile, engaging via app, or just chatting at home, the system can display items that support Instant Checkout, allowing users to “buy” right there in the chat interface. No app switching, no redirecting to an eCommerce checkout page.

Consumers are ready for this kind of speed. Nearly a third (27%) have already used ChatGPT to make a purchase and said they would do it again, citing convenience and time savings as key advantages. Another 30% said they’d be open to trying AI-assisted checkout if brands clearly communicate how their data and payments are protected. 

In the context of hybrid retail, the rise of AI-powered commerce can blur the boundaries between offline and online touchpoints: a customer could be scanning items in a physical store, ask ChatGPT “which of these is the best deal,” and then buy the item via chat quicker than walking to the till. It also strengthens the value of conversational or voice interfaces as a real purchasing channel, rather than just a recommendation or comparison tool. That said, this shift also raises new challenges: brands may lose control over branded checkout experiences (upsells, cross-sells, branding), and managing trust, returns, and support becomes critical when AI intermediates the transaction.

4. Smarter Inventory and Supply Chain Management

AI is redefining how brands manage inventory and fulfill customer needs across both physical and digital channels – fundamental to delivering a seamless hybrid shopping experience. By analyzing real-time sales and operational data, AI enables retailers to anticipate demand more accurately, reducing waste and preventing stockouts whether shoppers are browsing online or visiting a store. This ensures that products are available where and when customers expect them, supporting consistent, convenient experiences across touchpoints.  A strong example comes from Unilever, the global CPG giant that uses AI to make its supply chain stronger as well as sustainable. Unilever leverages data-driven insights to proactively rethink how products are made, from sourcing new ingredients to refining formulas without losing quality.

Moreover, predictive analytics helps brands synchronize marketing, logistics, and merchandising in real time. By learning from search behavior, purchase trends, and local events, AI can help determine the best time to promote products, launch campaigns, or restock specific locations. The result is a connected ecosystem where every part of the business, from inventory management to customer engagement, works together to serve hybrid shoppers efficiently. In a world where online and offline retail are no longer separate, AI provides the intelligence needed to make every experience timely, relevant, and satisfying.

5. More Accurate, Reliable Product Data

Shoppers are increasingly discerning, and their trust hinges on the quality of information they see. When consumers can’t find the information they need, they leave. In fact, 77% of shoppers say they would abandon a site and look elsewhere if product details, pricing, or specifications were incomplete. In an era where research is rapid and comparison is effortless, missing or inconsistent information causes frustration and costs sales. 

AI plays a pivotal role in helping businesses deliver more reliable, consistent, and accurate product data, which is an essential ingredient in today’s hybrid shopping environment. By automatically detecting errors, filling in missing attributes, and standardizing data across multiple systems, AI ensures that product information remains consistent no matter where it appears. Machine learning models can analyze data from various sources like supplier catalogs, customer feedback, and online listings to identify discrepancies and improve accuracy at scale. This not only saves time for product and merchandising teams but also guarantees that shoppers see up-to-date, trustworthy information whether they’re browsing online or checking details in-store.

The impact on the hybrid shopping journey is huge. When customers encounter the same detailed, accurate information across touchpoints, they gain confidence in their purchase decisions. AI-powered enrichment tools can even personalize product data based on context, highlighting the most relevant attributes for each channel or customer type. By ensuring product data is both precise and contextually relevant, AI helps brands eliminate confusion, build trust, and create a unified, seamless experience from screen to shelf.

The Future of Hybrid Shopping Is Intelligent

As digital and physical retail continue to intertwine, one thing is clear: AI is enhancing and defining the hybrid shopping experience. From smarter discovery and personalized recommendations to seamless checkout and optimized inventory, AI empowers brands to meet shoppers where they are with precision and speed.

But AI can only be as powerful as the data behind it. Brands that invest in accurate, enriched product information will be the ones who stand out. With solutions like Akeneo PIM, part of the Akeneo Product Cloud, businesses can build the strong data foundation AI needs to thrive, creating meaningful product experiences that turn every interaction into an opportunity.

Once the Black Friday frenzy fades, a new wave of excitement takes over; Cyber Monday. What started as a clever marketing idea has evolved into one of the most powerful shopping days of the year, where deals drop faster than shoppers can click “add to cart.”

In 2024, consumers spent a staggering $13.3 billion on the major shopping event, with spending surging to nearly $15.8 million per minute at its peak! By the time Cyber Monday hits, shoppers are wide awake, credit cards at the ready, and expectations are higher than the discounts they’re chasing. If your brand isn’t seamless and trustworthy, your competitors will be more than happy to welcome those customers instead.

That may sound daunting, but here’s the good news: delivering a standout digital approach for Cyber Monday isn’t about shortcuts or assumptions. It comes down to combining accurate product data, smooth omnichannel execution, and more into a strategy that keeps your shoppers coming back.

Need more proof? Scroll down to see how you elevate your Cyber Monday game with Akeneo Product Cloud, tying it all together!

How to Create a Powerful Online Presence for Cyber Monday

A strong digital presence makes your products shine in a crowded marketplace while engaging shoppers at every touchpoint. Here’s how your brand can differentiate itself during the busiest shopping day of the year:

1. Leverage the Power of Personalization

Personalization is the main expectation on Cyber Monday. Shoppers want deals and recommendations that feel relevant to them, not one-size-fits-all discounts plastered across every channel. From curated bundles to specific offers, personalized experiences help consumers feel seen and understood, guiding them toward products they’re more likely to buy. In a shopping environment defined by urgency and competition, delivering this kind of individual relevance can be the key to capturing your customers’ attention and driving your conversions.

But that’s not all. AI has pushed personalization into an entirely new era. It’s not just about customizing the checkout process but instead about shaping what shoppers discover and ultimately purchase. Nearly half of consumers report that AI-powered recommendations influence their buying decisions, whether through suggested add-ons, complementary products, or limited-time offers based on browsing behavior. By anticipating shopper needs, AI helps brands shorten the path to purchase and increase average order value (AOV), all while creating a shopping journey that feels effortless.

Akeneo PX Insights elevates personalization by giving brands a smarter way to manage and optimize the data that powers it. AI streamlines the collection of product information from multiple sources and then organizes it into actionable data. This foundation allows brands to not only deliver accurate product experiences at scale but also refine them continuously. From boosting visibility across search and shopping platforms, PX Insights helps create more intelligent product experiences everywhere your customers shop!

2. Rethink Deal Days Beyond Discounts

Deal-day shopping now stretches across weeks, not hours. In fact, many retailers have expanded Black Friday and Cyber Monday into month-long events, with promotions kicking off as early as November 1st and running well into December. This extended window means Cyber Monday should be seen less as a single shopping day and more as the centerpiece of a broader holiday sales season,  one where timing and creativity make all the difference.

Shoppers also aren’t just chasing the deepest discounts. They’re looking for value, which blends price with product quality, convenience, and transparency. A one-dimensional strategy that relies only on slashing prices risks attracting bargain hunters who won’t return once the sale ends. By designing thoughtful deal-day campaigns, brands can score quick conversions now and plant the seeds of loyalty that last long after the wrapping paper is gone.

3. Deliver a Seamless Hybrid and Omnichannel Experience

Cyber Monday shopping has become increasingly channel-agnostic. Shoppers are no longer choosing between online and in-store — they’re doing both, often in the same buying journey. Research shows that while many consumers plan to shop on marketplaces like Amazon, nearly half also intend to visit national retailers or local brands in person. This means holiday shoppers expect a frictionless experience across all touchpoints: the same product information, pricing, and availability, whether they’re browsing your website or standing in-store.

For brands, this demand for consistency across channels is both a challenge and an opportunity. When shoppers move effortlessly between physical and digital experiences and receive consistent information throughout the journey, trust grows and conversions follow. On Cyber Monday, where decision-making happens fast, ensuring that product experiences are unified across channels is essential for capturing sales and keeping customers coming back.

This is where Akeneo Activation strengthens your omnichannel strategy by connecting enriched product data to leading retailers and marketplaces, ensuring content is always complete and optimized. It transforms PIM data into channel-ready formats automatically, reducing manual effort and freeing teams to focus on high-impact work. With continuously updated channel requirements and actionable insights, publishing stays seamless while customers enjoy compelling product experiences.

4. Provide Accurate and Transparent Product Information

Like every major shopping event, every detail counts. Shoppers moving quickly between retailers won’t waste time digging for missing specs or inconsistent descriptions. If the information shoppers need isn’t there, they’ll move on — usually straight to a competitor! And that’s the last thing you want on Cyber Monday. Accuracy removes doubt, allowing shoppers to commit to their purchase with confidence.

Today’s consumers are savvier than ever, often comparing products across multiple sites before deciding. Brands that present transparent and reliable information assure shoppers they’re making the right choice. From detailed specifications to clear delivery timelines, correct product data transforms uncertainty into trust and trust into conversions!

Akeneo PIM helps make that accuracy possible at scale. With a single source of truth for product information, teams can enrich, manage, and maintain high-quality product data across the business. And thanks to a diverse ecosystem and community of integrations, Akeneo PIM ensures enriched product content can be distributed efficiently across every channel, leading to coherent and memorable product experiences.

5. Provide Insight into Key Decision-Making Factors, Like Shipping Policies and Product Quality

When it comes to Cyber Monday, shoppers are calculating the best overall value. It’s a balance of price, quality, and how quickly (and cheaply) the product lands on their doorstep. A discount may catch their eye, but if shipping feels slow or costly, or if the product seems flimsy, the deal quickly loses its shine. For brands, this means making the total offer clear and attractive by highlighting competitive pricing, emphasizing delivery options that make buying simple, and offering flexible policies like easy exchanges or store credits.

Handled well, this balance positions a brand as delivering not just savings, but smart value. When customers move quickly between offers, clearly presenting price, quality, and fulfillment can be what wins the sale. Beyond the markdown, shoppers seek the assurance that what they’re buying is valuable and stress-free.

6. Build and Protect Brand Trust

On Cyber Monday, discounts may spark interest, but trust often seals the deal. Shoppers want to know that the brand behind the promotion is reliable and stands by its products. In fact, for 27% of consumers, credibility outweighs even the lowest price, determining if they go through with the purchase or move on to a brand that feels safer

Trust is built on continuity. Clear policies, dependable service, and honest communication reinforce for customers that what they see is what they’ll get. That certainty not only increases conversions in the heat of Cyber Monday but also lays the groundwork for long-term loyalty.

Built effectively, trust becomes a powerful competitive advantage that endures long after the holiday rush. Customers who feel confident in your brand during peak season are more likely to return, recommend, and remain loyal — even without a flashy discount!

Optimize With Akeneo Business Analytics and Shared Catalogs

Building a strong digital presence on Cyber Monday is only half the story. To sustain that momentum, brands need visibility into performance and the ability to share accurate product data seamlessly across teams and partners.

Oh, did someone call for Akeneo Business Analytics and Akeneo Shared Catalogs?

Having a clear view of performance metrics is key to knowing what’s working and what’s not. With Akeneo Business Analytics, brands can track everything from page views to conversion rates and revenue, all from one centralized dashboard. By connecting enrichment strategies directly to performance data, teams can see how product content drives engagement and sales across channels. These insights make it possible to enhance product experiences in real time and stay a step ahead of competitors during peak shopping periods.

And who said collaboration isn’t just as important? Instead of teams spending valuable time hunting for the right product information, Akeneo Shared Catalogs makes it simple to share up-to-date data through secure online portals that can be set up in minutes. Automated synchronization with Akeneo PIM ensures stakeholders always have the most current product information at their fingertips. Together, these two solutions enable faster time to market, streamlined operations, and consistency across every channel.

Winning Cyber Monday and Beyond

It’s pretty evident by now that Cyber Monday is more than just a day of deals. It’s a peak opportunity where brands prove their ability to deliver seamless and engaging digital experiences. From personalization and omnichannel consistency to accurate data, value-driven offers, and brand trust, success comes from balancing shopper expectations with operational excellence.

With the right tools and strategies in place, brands can stand out, convert shoppers, and earn loyalty that lasts well beyond the holiday rush. Cyber Monday may be the flashpoint, but the capabilities you sharpen now will strengthen your digital presence every day of the year.

Think it’s too early to be thinking about holiday shopping? Think again!

With major retailers rolling out Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals earlier every single year, and with 43% of consumers completing at least half of their holiday shopping during major deal day events like these, your brand is already late to the game if your haven’t at least started preparing for the holiday shopping season.

Not to worry; in the year of 2025, you have the power of technology on your side. The hype around AI has been hard to ignore, but the truth of how you can utilizing this powerful technology today lies somewhere between the diehard champions and the apocalyptic naysayers. 

To make the most of increased customer activity this holiday season, let’s take a look at eight tangible examples of how your brand can utilize AI technology to deliver an exceptional customer experience. And, to help demonstrate, we’ll be following along with fictional luxury jewelry brand Ziggany’s as they experiment with AI to give the gift of a better experience to their customers. 

1. Cleanse your data for accuracy & missing values

Before you can dive headfirst into the holiday shopping frenzy, take a moment to clean and organize your data. AI algorithms rely on data to make informed decisions; inaccurate or incomplete product data renders the whole purpose of implementing an AI solution useless.

To cleanse data effectively, you need to create and employ a combination of validation, standardization, and transformation techniques to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and completeness, while also implementing ongoing monitoring and governance practices to maintain data quality over time.

You can even use AI to clean your data before implementing AI solutions; I know, it’s a bit meta. But machine learning algorithms can automatically highlight data points that don’t fit the usual patterns, making it easier to find these errors, missing data, or inconsistencies.

In practice, this means that fictitious jeweler Ziggany’s can implement AI-driven data validation and cleansing tools to automatically review their product catalog, customer data, and inventory records ahead of the holiday season. If there are discrepancies in gemstone details or metal types, AI can flag these issues for review and correction.

Ziggany’s can also automatically identify and merge duplicate records in the customer database, preventing the same customer from being counted multiple times and ensuring accurate customer analytics with a machine learning algorithm before launching the holiday promotional campaign.

2. Embrace LLMs as a new discovery channel

AI can be super helpful behind the scenes, but with the recently announced “Instant Checkout” feature released by ChatGPT, it’s also impacting the way customers search, discover, and shop.

Instead of clicking through multiple product pages or comparing listings across retailers, consumers can now discover, evaluate, and purchase products directly within conversational AI interfaces.

For brands, this creates a powerful new opportunity: AI as a shopping destination. Instead of relying solely on traditional search engines or marketplaces, brands can integrate their product catalogs into AI ecosystems, enabling products to appear contextually within natural conversations.

Luxury jewelry brand Ziggany’s, for instance, could connect its product data to AI discovery channels so that when users chat about “sustainable fine jewelry” or “heirloom-worthy gifts,” their offerings appear organically within the conversation.

With enriched and structured product data, AI can not only identify relevance but also communicate detailed product attributes, things like materials, craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and pricing, to create a richer, more persuasive experience than a static product listing ever could.

3. Improve site search functionality

The introduction of AI-powered shopping channels doesn’t mean you should just abandon your eCommerce storefront. If you’re looking to enhance your web presence this holiday season, AI-powered solutions can provide you with improved product tagging and categorization functionality, meaning that your customers can find the products they’re looking for on your site faster and easier.

For example, our friends at Ziggany’s probably internally label all products gemstone type with a long SKU identifier number ( e.g., “diamond” = 3426663, “sapphire” = 72774473). A properly trained machine learning algorithm can translate those jumbles of numbers to identifiable terms that a customer would come to your site and actually search for; then, it could extract these attributes like carat weight, metal purity, or gemstone cute to create detailed filters for the customers. 

Even if your customer comes to your site and searches “elegant diamond necklace” or “vintage sapphire ring”, natural language processing (NLP)-powered AI can understand these queries and ensure accurate search results even if the specific product name isn’t used.

4. Unburden your support team with live chat and intelligent routing

The holiday rush often means a surge in customer inquiries. One of the most popular implementations of AI is chatbots that can reduce the workload on your support team and improve the efficiency of your ticketing wiring system. These bots can handle routine questions, provide product information, and even intelligently route complex inquiries to human agents when needed.

For Ziggany’s, this could look like deploying AI-driven chatbots to handle common customer inquiries about ring sizing or fixing an unreliable bracelet clasps. These chatbots can also intelligently route complex queries to their expert support team for personalized assistance.

A properly trained AI solution could also ingest years of returns and support requests data, and provide Ziggany’s support team with an intelligent prediction of popular holiday items that tend to have fit or quality issues, and how to proactively address those issues.

5. Translate & localize product content

Today’s economy is an increasingly global one, and while eCommerce may open up doors to international markets, it also means that your product content needs to be able to be seen in different cultural contexts. Even small things, like “color” vs. “colour” in the U.S. and U.K., can interfere with search functionality and customer experience as much as major things, like including the appropriate unit of measure.

AI can play a pivotal role in translating and localizing product content for luxury jewelry brand Ziggany’s, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers worldwide. By employing AI-powered language translation tools, Ziggany’s can automatically translate product descriptions, reviews, and customer communications into multiple languages, catering to their diverse international clientele.These AI systems, with human review,  can handle the nuances of different languages, maintaining the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of the content. 

Additionally, AI-driven localization algorithms can adapt product content to specific regions, accounting for regional preferences, units of measurement, and currency, providing a tailored and welcoming experience for customers from various cultural backgrounds. This not only expands Ziggany’s global reach but also demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and customer satisfaction in an increasingly interconnected world.

6. Pair similar products and offer bundles

Pairing similar products and offering bundles is a strategic approach that can significantly boost sales and enhance the customer shopping experience. AI algorithms are instrumental in this process by delving into customer purchase histories and uncovering patterns of products that are frequently bought together.

Imagine a customer browsing Ziggany’s website for a pearl necklace. AI algorithms can analyze data and discover that customers who purchase a pearl necklace often also buy matching pearl earrings or a pearl bracelet to complete the set. Leveraging this knowledge, Ziggany’s can proactively create curated bundles, such as a “Pearl Jewelry Set,” offering a discount for customers who buy all three pieces together.

This approach not only simplifies the shopping process for customers but also encourages them to make larger and more satisfying purchases, increasing both average order value and customer satisfaction.

7. Provide data-driven product recommendations

Enhancing the shopping experience through personalized product recommendations is a powerful strategy that can significantly impact customer satisfaction and sales. AI plays a crucial role in achieving this by meticulously analyzing customer behavior, including browsing habits and past purchase history, to offer tailored product suggestions.

For Ziggany’s, implementing AI-driven personalized recommendations can transform the way customers discover and engage with their jewelry offerings. Imagine a customer who has previously shown a penchant for emerald jewelry. AI algorithms can examine this customer’s browsing and purchase history, identify the preference for emeralds, and then provide personalized suggestions such as emerald necklaces, rings, or earrings.

This level of personalization not only encourages customers to explore a wider range of products but also fosters a deeper connection with the brand, as customers feel understood and valued. In turn, this can lead to higher customer loyalty, increased average order values, and a more enjoyable shopping experience overall.

Embrace the HolidAI Season

As the holiday shopping season dawns upon us, it’s important to recognize the impact that AI will have on the shopping experience this year. Whether you’re using AI technology to introduce new shopping channels, translate detailed product descriptions, or optimize websites for keyword search, this technology has the potential to provide your customers with unparalleled experiences, but only if you have the solid foundation of product information that it requires.

Understanding your customers and adapting to their expectations with the help of AI will be the key to thriving in the holiday rush. Because in 2025, the best gifts brands can give their customers are clarity, convenience, and connection, powered by the smart use of technology.

Black Friday is the biggest endurance test in commerce, where stores are packed, expectations are sky-high, and every detail matters. It’s the one day when even the smallest hiccup can feel magnified under the pressure of crowds. For in-store staff, it’s about staying sharp and being ready to handle the unpredictable pace of the busiest shopping day of the year.

And the stakes are only climbing. In 2024, 81.7 million people shopped in stores on Black Friday, showing just how powerful the in-person retail experience remains. As more customers mix online research with in-store visits, your teams need to deliver trust and reliability on the sales floor. With the right preparation, the rush of Black Friday can transform from an overwhelming challenge into a showcase of your brand at its best. Scroll down below to find out how! 

Top Tips for Preparing In-Store Staff for Black Friday

1. Invest in POS and PIM Systems to Empower Your Staff

A reliable Point-of-Sale (POS) system is the backbone of any successful in-store shopping experience as it can help process transactions quickly and help staff manage promotions under pressure, which is crucial for Black Friday crowds. But even the most advanced POS system can fall short if the product data flowing through it isn’t accurate. Incorrect pricing, incomplete product descriptions, or outdated policies can cause delays and frustration for both employees and shoppers.

That’s where a strong Product Information Management (PIM) solution makes the difference. A PIM system acts as a central hub for managing product data across your entire product catalog. From names and specifications to stock availability, pricing, color and size variations, and related products, a PIM ensures all details are up to date and reflected consistently across sales channels, both digital and physical. When integrated with your POS system and inventory management tools, associates no longer need to guess whether online details match what’s in store because they’ll always have consistent information at their fingertips!

By combining a robust POS system with a reliable PIM solution, like Akeneo PIM, businesses can achieve an enhanced customer experience while ultimately improving shoppers’ trust and loyalty during the busiest shopping season of the year.

2. Introduce AI Checkout to Speed Up Transactions

For many shoppers, the most dreaded part of Black Friday is the line. AI-powered checkout solutions, from smart self-service kiosks to mobile scan-and-go apps, tackle this problem head-on by reducing bottlenecks and shortening wait times. Machine learning algorithms can help to speed up item recognition, flag scanning errors instantly, and even spot fraud patterns, making the checkout process in-store a lot faster and safer. Customers leave with a positive impression, and staff aren’t stuck firefighting at overcrowded registers.

Still, no system is perfect. Hesitant customers or unexpected scenarios will happen, and that’s where trained staff become indispensable. Employees who know how to step in quickly, resolve issues gracefully, and reassure tech-weary shoppers ensure AI feels like a convenience rather than a barrier. By blending high-quality checkout technology with well-prepared staff, retailers can deliver a checkout experience that balances efficiency with human support.

3. Keep Pricing and Policies Aligned Everywhere

Today’s shopper is hyper-informed. They compare prices on their phones while standing in your aisles, and they’ll notice immediately if your online store promises one thing and your physical signage says another. In fact, when it comes to deal days, 62% of shoppers prioritize the lowest price and 59% care most about product quality. 

If those two elements aren’t consistent (and consistently communicated) across channels, customers won’t hesitate to call it out, and your staff will be left in the uncomfortable position of explaining the mismatch! On Black Friday, when the pace is already intense, the last thing employees need is to debate discrepancies with stressed-out shoppers.

That’s why alignment across channels is critical. Policies like shipping cutoffs and return windows should be visible and identical whether a customer is browsing online or in your store. Unified commerce platforms help synchronize all of this data so staff can confidently provide clear answers without hesitation. The goal is to eliminate doubt for both the shopper and the associate.

Tools like Akeneo Activation make this alignment far easier to achieve. By connecting enriched product data directly to leading retailer and marketplace sites, syndication solutions like Akeneo Activation ensure customers see accurate and complete product information no matter where they shop. Channel requirements are automatically updated, reducing the manual effort for teams and giving actionable insights into any mapping or content changes needed. That means fewer errors, less stress for associates on the sales floor, a smoother customer experience, more conversions, and happier staff!

4. Leverage In-Store Staff to Enhance the Hybrid Shopping Experience

Even in a digital-first age, the in-store experience still plays a crucial role in the buying journey, especially with in-person events like Black Friday; nearly half of all consumers plan to shop in-person this upcoming holiday season. 

Click-and-collect orders, ship-to-store pickups, and shoppers who research online but want to see products in person all utilize online touchpoints but ultimately depend on in-store associates to help finalize their decision. Black Friday heightens this hybrid journey, as customers juggle mobile deals and in-person visits to maximize savings.

For staff, this means more than simply fulfilling orders. It means becoming the human bridge between digital research and physical purchase. Associates should be comfortable retrieving online orders quickly, checking inventory across stores, and helping customers compare what they saw online with what’s available in front of them. This fluency across channels reassures customers that they’re making the right decision and makes the shopping journey feel seamless.

Now obviously, in-store staff aren’t magical genies that have the entire product catalog, complete with all variations and stock availability, memorized and ready to go at a moment’s notice. So equipping these teams with the right product information, at the right time, and in the right way is crucial to providing them with the tools they need to properly help customers.

Solutions like Akeneo Shared Catalogs make this even easier. By providing sales teams, retailers and more with on-demand access to current and customized digital product catalogs, Shared Catalogs ensures staff always have the right information at the right time. The portal sets up quickly and syncs with Akeneo PIM, ensuring associates always have up-to-date details. Instead of hunting for specs or prices, staff can focus on building trust and delivering great experiences.

5. Prepare Your Teams and Systems for Cyber Monday’s Surge

Black Friday may feel like the big finish, but Cyber Monday often surpasses it in online volume. The two events are connected, and what happens in-store on Friday directly impacts the following Monday. Returns begin to trickle in over the weekend and questions about online orders spike. If staff aren’t ready, fatigue and disorganization can quickly snowball into missed opportunities.

One smart strategy is to treat Black Friday as a live test for Cyber Monday. Gather quick feedback from associates on what worked and what didn’t, monitor system performance under stress, and identify friction points. Adjustments can be as simple as moving more staff to handle online pickups or updating return signage to reduce confusion.

By Monday, those small but critical improvements can pay off significantly. Customers expect the same speed and consistency whether they’re shopping online or in-store, and the businesses that adjust in real time stand out. 

6. Train Staff to Efficiently Handle Post-Black Friday Returns

The glow of Black Friday fades quickly when returns flood in — and they will. In fact, 69% of consumers have returned a deal-day purchase, most often because of poor product quality, mismatched product images or descriptions, finding a better price late, or simply acting on impulse. 

Returns are a significant part of the post-purchase experience, particularly around the holidays. Customers expect associates to process them quickly and fairly, and a chaotic return process can sour the entire shopping journey. Training staff in return workflows, exceptions, and conflict management helps ensure shoppers leave feeling just as satisfied as they did when they made the purchase.

But returns don’t have to be viewed purely as a loss. With the right mindset and training, they can be reframed as opportunities. Associates who know how to suggest exchanges, upgrades, or loyalty incentives can turn a return into a new sale, and sometimes into a stronger relationship. Instead of seeing returns as a drain on resources, equip staff with the tools and scripts to transform them into moments of retention and even growth!

7. Keep Inventory Accurate and Systems Streamlined

Few things frustrate customers more than being told an item they saw online isn’t actually available in store. Real-time inventory tracking prevents this issue and allows staff to instantly confirm product availability. On Black Friday, when demand is sky-high, this accuracy is critical to keeping customers satisfied and sales flowing.

AI can make this even smarter. AI-driven inventory management can forecast demand patterns and predict low-stock risks in real time. Some solutions go further, offering AI-powered predictive shipping timelines that factor in inventory levels, order location, carrier delays, and even weather conditions. This means in-store staff have access to reliable estimates of stock availability, restock timelines, and shipping estimates if a customer wants a product sent directly to their home, all of which reduces uncertainty and improves confidence.

Systems must also be able to withstand the pressure. If your POS freezes or inventory management lags under peak load, both staff and customers suffer. Frequent updates and contingency planning reduce the risk of breakdowns when the stakes are highest. When employees can trust the data and the systems behind it, they spend less time second-guessing and more time upselling, cross-selling, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

8. Ensure Efficient Supplier Communication

Fast, reliable shipping is no longer just an online concern, but a core part of the in-store promise too. When customers ask about delivery timelines, associates need answers they can trust. Partnering early with shipping providers allows you to anticipate seasonal bottlenecks and communicate realistic delivery expectations.

Clear collaboration with shipping partners is the quiet preparation step that can make or break the post-Black Friday experience. Solutions like Akeneo Supplier Data Manager (SDM) can help ensure efficient communication between suppliers and in-store operations by helping distributors and suppliers streamline product data exchange and enrichment through centralized data collection and collaborative supplier access. This leads to less mistakes, less supply chain friction, and more accurate product data flowing to shipping partners, ensuring deliveries are reliable and margins are protected even during peak holiday demand!

Preparing People, Processes, and Product Content for Black Friday

When customers think of Black Friday they often think of discounts, long lines, and navigating massive crowds in a post-Thanksgiving haze. But when businesses think of Black Friday, they think of all the preparation, organization, and training that goes in to equipping in-store staff with everything they need for one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

By utilizing the right technology and the right strategy, retailers can streamline operations while delivering a seamless, trustworthy experience wherever customers are shopping. With the right mix of people, processes, and product content, Black Friday can become a brand-building moment that keeps customers coming back beyond the holiday season.

They say you can’t polish a diamond that hasn’t been cut. The same goes for your products. In today’s hyper-competitive digital landscape, even the most brilliant product can get buried if it isn’t refined and presented with care. But the challenge is customers don’t just want to shop; they want to discover, compare, and enjoy a seamless user experience before they click “buy.”

That’s where the real work begins. Behind every smooth user journey and five-star review is a deliberate strategy that ensures each product performs. For product teams and every product manager, it’s about tackling pain points, aligning with customer needs in real time, and building a path toward long-term customer satisfaction. 

So, what does it take to achieve that?

What is Product Optimization?

Product optimization is the deliberate process of improving a product so it consistently meets customer expectations and business goals. At its core, it’s about turning raw product information into commerce-ready experiences through structured data and enriched content, as well as insights from analytics tools. It’s like giving your product strategy a GPS: data points the way, and continuous improvement keeps you from taking wrong turns! It makes sure every detail works in harmony to boost product discovery, create a seamless user flow, and ensure each product delivers consistently across every channel.

Why is Product Optimization Important?

Product optimization is a growth driver. For businesses, it means reducing costly errors and returns. It also accelerates time-to-market and unlocks better ROI from every business channel. For customers, it delivers clarity and the confidence to make purchasing decisions without hesitation. When product teams use an insight-led approach, they not only smooth the user flow but also uncover opportunities to increase conversions and stay competitive in a crowded marketplace. 

In short, a strong product optimization strategy turns product data into a business advantage that directly fuels revenue and long-term customer satisfaction.

Steps to an Efficient Product Optimization Process

Getting started with product optimization doesn’t have to feel overwhelming with the right structure in place; product teams can turn scattered data and content into a powerful engine for growth and customer satisfaction. Here’s a six-step framework that puts your optimization efforts into action:

Step 1: Audit and Identify Gaps in Your Product Data

Every great product optimization strategy starts with a clear-eyed audit. This means examining product catalogs to uncover missing attributes, inconsistent descriptions, duplicate entries, and outdated information. These gaps may seem small, but they quickly create pain points for customers who can’t find the details they need to feel confident in their purchase. An inaccurate size guide or a vague product description can easily derail the user flow and lead to higher return rates.

An audit shouldn’t just focus on errors. It also needs to explore how each product performs in product discovery across various channels. Are product titles SEO-friendly? Do your specifications meet marketplace requirements? Using analytics tools (such as Akeneo’s Business Analytics) and even session recordings allows product teams to understand where shoppers drop off and which gaps hurt visibility.

Documenting these findings gives product managers a practical roadmap. Ranking issues by importance helps teams score quick wins now while laying the groundwork for bigger improvements later.

Step 2: Standardize Your Product Information

Once the weaknesses are clear, consistency is the next priority. Standardization means creating clear rules for naming conventions, attribute formats, units of measurement, and taxonomies across the entire product catalog. Without this structure, product information becomes fragmented, leading to confusion both internally and externally. Standardization is the glue that holds everything together, enabling product teams to work more efficiently. 

For customers, standardization builds trust. Shoppers expect product information to be accurate no matter where they encounter it, such as a brand website, a marketplace, or a social feed. When details are inconsistent, it disrupts the user experience and undermines customer satisfaction. Standardization reduces these risks and ensures product data is always reliable and ready for multi-channel syndication.

Step 3: Enrich Product Content for Better Experiences

If standardization lays the groundwork, enrichment brings products to life! High-quality images, detailed descriptions, localized translations, and video content transform raw product data into experiences that resonate with shoppers. Rich, compelling content makes it easier for customers to imagine how a product fits into their lives, directly improving the customer journey and supporting higher conversion rates. 

Enrichment also helps with differentiation. Adding sustainability claims, compliance data, or certifications positions products more effectively in crowded marketplaces. Done right, enrichment is optimization in action, showing customers not just what a product is, but why it’s the right choice for them!

For product managers, enrichment is about balance. Too much fluff can overwhelm, but too little detail leaves gaps in the decision-making journey. A strong enrichment strategy ensures each product performs by blending factual accuracy with engaging storytelling. To make this process efficient and consistent, both enrichment and standardization are best achieved through a Product Information Management (PIM) system, which centralizes product data and facilitates the delivery of the right content across every channel.

Step 4: Optimize Product Data for Every Channel

Not all platforms are created equal. A product listing that works on your eCommerce site may underperform on Amazon, and what looks great in a print catalog may not translate well to social media. Channel-specific optimization ensures your products are adapted for every environment while still staying true to your brand. Titles, keywords, and descriptions can be fine-tuned to meet platform requirements and boost visibility in search algorithms.

Channel optimization also plays a critical role in product discovery. Marketplaces reward well-structured product information, and search engines favor content that’s clear and consistent. By tailoring listings to each channel, product teams enhance discoverability and create a seamless user experience across touchpoints!

Step 5: Analyze Product Performance and User Behavior

Optimization doesn’t stop when your product data looks clean — that’s just the foundation. The real test comes once products are live and competing for attention. At this stage, it’s not about missing fields or outdated specs (that’s the audit’s job!), but about how each product actually performs in the market. With analytics tools, product teams can track KPIs like conversion rates, cart abandonment, bounce rates, and time spent on product pages, which are all signals of how effectively products are driving engagement and sales.

Performance analysis shifts the lens from data quality to customer behavior. With session recordings, heatmaps, and click tracking, you can uncover where shoppers hesitate, which details cause drop-offs, and how they move through the purchase journey. This goes beyond checking for errors, as it identifies friction points that quietly drain revenue and customer satisfaction.

The insights gained here complete the feedback loop. By linking behavioral data with optimization strategy, product managers can restructure content layouts or test new imagery. This kind of performance analysis can be achieved with tools like Akeneo PX Insights, which helps to deliver smarter product experiences everywhere your customers are.

Step 6: Leverage AI and Technology for Smarter Optimization

The final step — and the one that keeps businesses future-ready — is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. Manual updates alone can’t keep pace with customer demands or the growing number of sales channels. AI-powered analytics tools and automation platforms make it possible to flag missing content, correct errors, and even generate enriched product descriptions in real time.

Beyond efficiency, AI unlocks predictive insights. By analyzing user behavior across platforms, machine learning models can anticipate customer needs and recommend content adjustments at scale. This takes optimization efforts beyond reactive fixes into a proactive strategy, where technology empowers product managers to stay ahead of the competition.

When combined with a clear optimization plan, AI and technology transform product optimization into a scalable discipline. Because in the end, it’s about creating a smarter and more resilient approach to ensuring every product performs.

Product Optimization in Action: Trotec GmbH

Understanding the strategies for driving product optimization is only half the story. Let’s take a look at a real life example of how to create efficient product optimization.

Trotec GmbH, a leader in precision environmental control technologies, faced a challenge familiar to many growing manufacturers: how to scale its product experience with the same rigor and excellence that defined its products. With product data fragmented across CRMs and more, teams worked in silos, slowing down enrichment, delaying time-to-market, and limiting the ability to deliver consistent product information across regions and brands.

By adopting Akeneo Product Cloud with Akeneo PIM at its core, Trotec unified its product data into a single, composable, AI-powered hub that centralizes, enriches, and activates product information everywhere it’s needed. The results have been transformative: enrichment time for complex technical data cut by 75%, Shared Catalogs fueling faster collaboration across subsidiaries, and digital product coverage scaling from 2,500 to 25,000 SKUs. With AI-driven enrichment and structured, search-ready attributes, Trotec is building the foundation for smarter discovery and an estimated 35% increase in online sales by 2027!

Driving Growth Through Smarter Product Optimization

Product optimization is the backbone of scalable growth in today’s commerce landscape. From auditing product data and enriching content to analyzing performance and leveraging AI, each step creates the foundation for stronger customer satisfaction and products that truly perform. Real-world leaders like Trotec show how a clear product optimization strategy, powered by tools such as Akeneo Product Cloud with Akeneo PIM, can turn complex challenges into opportunities.

The takeaway couldn’t be clearer: optimization is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. By investing in the right processes and technologies, product teams and managers can meet customers where they are and unlock the kind of growth that lasts — everywhere commerce happens.

Halloween is just around the corner, bringing with it ghouls, ghosts, and all kinds of supernatural fun. But the one spooky power that stands out the most? Mind-reading. Imagine being able to hear people’s thoughts, to instantly know what they like, dislike, and what they’re searching for! It’s a trick anyone would love to master, especially businesses.

Because in reality, knowing what customers want often feels more like a dream than something you can actually achieve. A Deloitte study uncovered a striking perception gap: while 80% of business leaders believe shoppers are impressed with the online shopping experiences they provide, fewer than half of consumers agree. And when it comes to in-store shopping, the disconnect is even wider—by 12 percentage points. There’s a gap between what brands think they deliver and what customers actually experience. And closing that gap has never been more critical. 

The real question is: what do shoppers truly want to know before they buy? And how can businesses use those insights to close the gap between perception and reality?

What Shoppers Want to Know Before Buying Products

Customers want clear information on a range of topics, but as a business, it can be tricky to know what customers are actually looking for and what they consider to just be marketing fluff. Luckily, the team here at Akeneo ran a survey of real consumers to gain a better understanding of what they’re looking for.

Here are the key things shoppers really want to know before they buy:

1. Shoppers Want Complete Information

Before buying, shoppers want to feel absolutely certain about what they’re getting. The basics like price, size, and technical specs are usually present, but too many important details still slip through the cracks. Sustainability commitments, allergen information, and supply chain transparency are often missing, leaving shoppers with more questions than answers. When information is incomplete, hesitation creeps in, and trust in the brand begins to erode.

When these types of information are missing, the impact is huge. Two-thirds of consumers said they abandoned a significant purchase in the past year because product information like those mentioned was missing or inaccurate. That’s customer frustration as well as lost revenue. 

This is where a solution like Akeneo Product Information Management (PIM) can make a big difference. By centralizing product data into a single source of truth, teams can catch gaps, automate repetitive tasks, and enrich product details for consistency across every channel. The result is accurate content that reduces returns and helps customers make informed choices faster.

As consumer expectations climb, the stakes only get higher. Brands that view product content as central to the customer experience will be the ones to win loyalty. Investing in accuracy and detail is a driver of long-term growth.

2. Shoppers Want Consistency

Shoppers today navigate a non-linear path to purchase, jumping from one channel to another before deciding to buy. They might begin with a quick Google search, compare details on an online marketplace, check reviews on social media, and finally walk into a store to see the product in person. Our survey demonstrates just how fragmented the journey is: 30% of consumers shop in general and specialty retail stores, 27% turn to online marketplaces, 26% rely on traditional search engines, and 22% use marketplaces specifically for product discovery. With so many different entry points, consistency in product information becomes critical. When details change between touchpoints, it raises doubts and undermines trust.

But managing product data isn’t enough on its own. It also needs to evolve with shopper behavior. With PX Insights, part of Akeneo Product Cloud, real signals like search performance and AI-driven rankings are turned into actionable insights directly inside the PIM. This allows businesses to adapt content in real time and respond to customer feedback quickly. By closing that feedback loop, companies deliver smarter product experiences that feel connected and relevant across every channel, strengthening shopper trust.

When customers trust what they see, they’re more likely to complete purchases, less likely to return items, and more inclined to engage with the brand again. In a world where consumers bounce between multiple touchpoints before making a decision, consistency isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of long-term loyalty and brand credibility.

3. Shoppers Want Accuracy

Returns are a customer inconvenience, and they represent a major operational and financial drain for retailers. According to the survey, nearly 40% of shoppers sent an item back last year because the product didn’t match its description. Whether it was a misleading photo, an inaccurate size chart, or vague technical details, the result was the same: disappointment and frustration.

Each return cuts into margins through restocking costs, lost shipping expenses, and wasted inventory. More importantly, it damages brand credibility. A shopper who feels misled is less likely to purchase again. The solution is straightforward, though not always glamorous: brands need to invest in consistent and accurate product data from the very beginning. When shoppers know exactly what to expect, they’re far more likely to keep their purchase, saving costs for the retailer and reinforcing trust with the customer.

4. Shoppers want Convenience and Simple Service

While product details drive initial interest, convenience and service often determine whether customers will buy—and whether they’ll come back. Free delivery, simple return policies, and responsive customer support have moved from “nice extras” to baseline expectations. 

The data from our consumer survey makes this clear: 38% of shoppers now expect free delivery, 33% expect free returns, and 28% expect an easy return process as part of the standard shopping experience. 

This demand for convenience reshapes how brands must operate. A flexible, customer-first approach reduces churn, lowers operational friction, and signals respect for the shopper’s time and money. Even small service improvements, like clearer return instructions or proactive shipping updates, can turn a potentially frustrating experience into one that reinforces loyalty. Shoppers who feel a brand has made their lives easier are much more likely to stick around.

5. Shoppers Want Value Beyond Price

Price will always influence purchase decisions, but today’s consumers look for more than just a good deal. We found that values such as sustainability, ethical sourcing, and transparency often carry more weight than cost alone. Two-fifths of shoppers said they would willingly pay extra for products when a company communicates its values clearly, showing that shoppers are no longer simply comparing numbers on a price tag, but they are also evaluating the ethics and commitments behind the brand.

The problem most brands run into is that this type of information is hard to manage and hard to communicate, which is where a solution like Akeneo Supplier Data Manager (SDM) can come into play. Businesses can scale supplier data onboarding and ensure accurate information flows from the very start, meaning that they can confidently share sustainability commitments, compliance standards, and sourcing practices without friction. By collaborating better with suppliers and distributors, SDM helps companies keep their promises visible and consistent.

By weaving values into product content and storytelling, brands can resonate with consumers who are making decisions not just with their wallets, but also with their conscience. Clear communication of values helps companies differentiate in crowded markets and build emotional connections that outlast price wars.

6. Shoppers Want Personalization

Consumers want information as well as experiences tailored to them. Nearly half of those surveyed said they would pay extra for personalization, whether it comes through smarter product recommendations, targeted messaging, or customized offers. When customers feel that a brand understands their needs and preferences, the transaction feels more like a relationship.

Personalization also drives repeat engagement. Shoppers who receive relevant recommendations are more likely to explore additional products, increasing basket size and lifetime value. But personalization must be done thoughtfully. Generic or overly aggressive tactics can backfire, making customers feel like just another data point. True personalization means blending product content with customer insights to deliver experiences that feel genuinely helpful and human. Brands that strike this balance gain a significant competitive advantage in today’s crowded commerce landscape.

Closing the Gap

At the end of the day, all consumers truly want is confidence in their choices. Brands that consistently provide accurate product information and highlight brand values stand out in a crowded market. Done well, product content becomes the foundation for stronger, more connected customer experiences!

Success comes when businesses stop thinking in transactions and start thinking in trust. By investing in enriched product information, listening to customer feedback, and aligning with values that matter, businesses can deliver meaningful customer experiences that create repeat customers. Build on it, and you’ll avoid the tricks while reaping the sweetest treat of all—long-term loyalty.

Walk down any supermarket aisle or scroll through Amazon, and you’ll see the sheer scale of the CPG industry. From snacks and beverages to beauty products and cleaning supplies, these everyday essentials seem far removed from cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). After all, what does AI have to do with laundry detergent or breakfast cereal?

The answer: more than you might think. AI has steadily moved from the background into the spotlight, helping brands strengthen the supply chain and personalize the shopping experience. In a market expected to expand by $1.5 trillion by 2029, it’s clear that AI is becoming the engine that powers growth and ushers in a new era of commerce.

What once seemed like an odd pairing is now reshaping the entire sector. But how exactly is AI transforming the CPG industry? And how does PIM play a role?

What is CPG?

Before we dive into how AI is reshaping the industry, let’s quickly clarify what we mean by CPG. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPGs) are the non-durable products that households and individuals purchase regularly—think personal care products, toiletries, or cleaning supplies. These are items designed for frequent use, often consumed immediately or within a short lifespan (typically less than three years).

How AI Impacts CPG 

If you think the CPG industry is lagging behind in terms of embracing technological innovation, think again; a McKinsey survey found that 71% of CPG leaders have already adopted AI in at least one business function, and more than half are already using generative AI regularly to accelerate innovation and improve customer experience.

Let’s take a look at a few key ways in which AI is already being utilized and implemented throughout the CPG industry.

1. Smarter Supply Chain Management

A resilient supply chain is critical in the CPG industry, and AI tools are giving companies the power to predict, adapt, and optimize like never before. By analyzing sales and data in real time, AI uncovers demand patterns that help reduce waste and ensure products are available where consumers expect them.

A good example would be the CPG giant, Unilever, who leveraged AI to make their supply chain more resilient and sustainable. Instead of just reacting to disruptions, the company is leaning on data-driven insights to rethink how products are made, whether that’s finding alternative ingredients or streamlining formulations without sacrificing quality. By running virtual simulations and automating parts of the design and manufacturing process, Unilever is cutting complexity and freeing up its experts to do what they do best: cook up the next big innovation.

Unilever’s move to harness AI-powered insights is just one chapter in a broader story. Across the CPG industry, companies embracing autonomous AI-driven supply chain planning are seeing real results, like 10% lower costs, 20% less inventory, and 4% revenue growth. AI is about dialing up efficiency just as much as it’s about building agility. It gives companies the ability to rebalance inventory and keep their operations running smoothly, even when markets shift under their feet.

2. Accelerated Product Innovation

Innovation in CPG has traditionally been slow, but AI-powered insights are changing that. By scanning social media, reviews, and trend reports, AI tools can uncover consumer insights that guide everything from new flavors to shorter time-to-market.

Take Nestlé as an example. The company uses AI-powered tools to analyze consumer trends, from online chatter to ingredient preferences, and cluster these insights into new product ideas. This approach has led to innovations such as Nescafé Dalgona coffee mixes and Nesvita plant probiotic supplements in China. Nestlé has also dramatically accelerated their development cycle, cutting it from 33 months to just 12 on average, thanks to AI-enhanced R&D processes.

Building on these advances, generative AI takes product innovation even further. Beyond analyzing consumer insights, it can simulate product concepts or even test packaging designs before launch. For CPG brands, this means not only the ability to experiment faster, but cut risks and stay ahead of shifting trends with greater confidence!

3. Personalized Marketing & Digital Commerce

Today’s consumers expect brands to know them better than they know themselves, and AI is happy to oblige. CPG leaders are turning to AI-powered marketing platforms that serve up spot-on product recommendations and timely promotions and campaigns built on real consumer insights.

Coca-Cola, for instance, has leveraged AI-powered vending machines to capture real-time customer insights and tailor offerings at the local level. These smarter machines did more than just create a more engaging experience; they drove a 15% jump in transactions and reduced restocking visits by 18%, proving the business value of data-driven personalization. 

This level of tailoring is no longer optional for businesses. In a competitive landscape, CPG brands that embed AI into their digital commerce strategies are the ones building loyalty and capturing growth.

4. Operational Efficiency & Cost Savings

AI is steadily boosting productivity across the CPG industry. Whether it’s spotting defects on production lines with machine vision or optimizing prices through data-driven models, AI tools enable companies to cut costs without compromising on quality.

Dynamic pricing, one of the most impactful Gen AI use cases, allows CPG brands to adjust prices in real time based on demand and inventory levels. The result is sharper competitiveness in the marketplace while still protecting healthy margins.

For CPG leaders, these AI-powered efficiencies free up resources, enabling teams to focus more on innovation and customer value rather than getting buried in routine operations!

5. Enhancing Customer Experience

Perhaps the most noticeable transformation is happening in customer service and the overall customer experience. With AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and recommendation engines, CPG companies can now meet consumers wherever they are—be it on websites, mobile apps, or social media.

By blending consumer insights with real-time data, CPG brands can anticipate what shoppers need and proactively suggest replenishments or complementary products. This type of engagement goes beyond convenience, as it builds trust and strengthens long-term loyalty.

As consumers expect seamless interactions, CPG leaders who weave AI-powered solutions into every stage of the journey will be the ones redefining what great customer experience looks like in the modern marketplace.

How CPG Businesses Can Adopt AI

Believe it or not, adopting AI isn’t just about adopting new tech. It’s about building the right foundation and scaling thoughtfully. Here’s how CPG companies can start making AI their reason of growth:

Start With Data-Driven Foundations

Every AI initiative depends on high-quality data. For CPG brands, this means consolidating product information, customer feedback, and supply chain metrics into unified systems. This is where a Product Information Management (PIM) solution proves essential. By centralizing and standardizing product data, a PIM creates the clean foundation AI needs for reliable insights. With accurate, consistent data across teams and channels, CPG companies can unlock more impactful Gen AI use cases.

Identify High-Impact Use Cases

Not every process needs AI on day one. CPG leaders should prioritize areas with the biggest payoffs, like demand forecasting, supply chain management, or personalized customer service. By starting small in focused areas, teams can prove ROI and build momentum before expanding to other parts of the business.

Equip Marketing Teams and Experts

AI works best when paired with human expertise! Marketing teams can use AI-powered platforms to personalize campaigns and analyze consumer insights, while R&D teams can apply generative AI to accelerate product development. Upskilling employees ensures AI becomes a tool for empowerment, not replacement.

Keep Your Consumer at the Center

At the end of the day, consumers expect better products and a seamless customer experience. Any AI adoption plan should be designed with those expectations in mind. Whether it’s smarter recommendations, more sustainable product design, or agile logistics, the goal is to use AI to strengthen trust and loyalty!

How AI and Akeneo Product Cloud help the CPG Industry

Within the Akeneo Product Cloud, Akeneo PIM gives CPG companies a single source of truth for product information, ensuring scalability and consistency across every channel and market. Whether it’s clothes, cosmetics, or cleaning products, Akeneo PIM helps brands activate their story everywhere customers shop while maintaining data completeness, legal compliance, and a seamless brand experience. With PIM as the central hub, teams can manage product data and processes more efficiently and accelerate growth.

Remember those insights from real customer reviews we were talking about earlier? Akeneo PX Insights can help with that as well, by bringing customer behavior signals like product reviews and AI-powered search rankings directly into the PIM! This makes it easier for CPG brands to understand how products are discovered, refine content based on real consumer feedback, and fix issues that hurt visibility or ad performance. By closing the feedback loop, teams can take faster actions and create smarter product experiences across all channels.

And finally, Akeneo Shared Catalogs, the solution that simplifies collaboration by giving sales teams, distributors, and retailers instant access to the latest product information. Instead of chasing updates or relying on manual processes, stakeholders can pull accurate catalogs from a private portal that syncs automatically with the PIM. This reduces delays and ensures everyone has what they need to get products to market faster.

Building Tomorrow with AI Today

The CPG industry is moving fast, and AI is becoming the engine that drives innovation and better customer experiences. From supply chain management to customer service, leading CPG brands are showing how AI-powered tools and Gen AI use cases can unlock real growth and agility.

But AI is only as good as the data behind it. That’s why Akeneo Product Cloud is essential, providing a single source of truth that empowers product developers and supply chain experts to act with confidence. Together, AI and PIM give CPG businesses the foundation to create faster, adapt smarter, and deliver the seamless experiences today’s consumers expect.

As we all know, digital commerce is moving at lightning speed. Shoppers expect more, new technologies like AI are reshaping how we sell, and channels keep multiplying. For businesses, that means one thing: adapt quickly, or risk falling behind.

Global eCommerce is projected to reach $8.5 trillion by 2026, marking a substantial 56% increase since 2018. What does this mean? Businesses of all sizes are prioritizing digital innovation and reinforces why choosing the right commerce technologies now is critical to staying ahead of the curve.

Looking ahead, it’s clear to see that commerce is only getting smarter, more personalized, and more flexible. Businesses across all industries are seeking tools that can scale with them and unify product experiences across channels. So, why shouldn’t you too? 

Whether you’re a B2C brand, a B2B seller, or somewhere in between, staying ahead means knowing which solutions work best for your situation, which is why we’re here today to break down some of the most popular digital commerce solutions, and what to look for when thinking about adopting a new solution.

What Is A Digital Commerce Solution?

Before deciding what you want, you should probably know how to identify it. A digital commerce solution is a system or platform that enables businesses to sell products and services online while managing the full scope of digital operations, from product data to customer engagement and fulfillment. It’s a core part of any modern eCommerce platform, powering both the buying experience and the backend processes that keep commerce running smoothly.

What Makes A Good Digital Commerce Solution?

A good digital commerce solution empowers growth and adaptability, unifying customer data and product content into one intelligent system while also enabling real-time updates. No matter your position in the eCommerce world, a great solution aligns your digital marketing, product management, and fulfillment processes to streamline your supply chain and drive efficiency across channels.

Equally important is the ability to enhance customer experience at every touchpoint. The best digital commerce solutions make it easy to connect with consumers across all channels, adapt content for different markets, and personalize experiences automatically. They also play well with the rest of your stack, integrating smoothly with tools like PIM, ERP, and analytics tools. By reducing friction at checkout and making your commerce platform more responsive, these solutions help you stay in sync with what your customers actually want. 

Best Digital Commerce Solutions In 2026

So, when it comes to it, which one do you choose? Well, below are ten leading commerce solutions to watch in 2026, each offering distinct capabilities that support both different commerce models:

1. Shopify

Perhaps the most known and dominant player in the eCommerce space, Shopify continues to stand out for its ease of use, fast deployment, and extensive app ecosystem. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses, Shopify offers powerful tools for storefront customization and multi-channel selling.

Learn more about Akeneo and Shopify

2. Adobe Commerce

B2C and B2B commerce in 2026 might want to adopt Adobe Commerce, a platform previously known as Magento. It delivers enterprise-grade flexibility with robust customer data management and advanced personalization while offering seamless integrations and real-time insights!

Learn more about Akeneo and Adobe Commerce

3. BigCommerce

If you want to scale in 2026, turn your head towards BigCommerce! A scalable platform designed for growing brands, BigCommerce supports headless commerce and composable architectures. With robust APIs, it’s ideal for brands focused on data-driven strategies, fast time to market, and omnichannel expansion.

Learn more about Akeneo and BigCommerce

4. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

A cloud-based solution designed for enterprises, Salesforce Commerce Cloud leverages AI and real-time personalization to drive engagement. It integrates deeply with the Salesforce ecosystem, offering powerful customer data capabilities and channel synchronization.

5. Volusion

Volusion is a cloud-based eCommerce platform tailored to small businesses, offering built-in marketing tools and mobile-responsive design. It’s a user-friendly solution that helps merchants get to market quickly.

6. OpenCart

As an open-source platform, OpenCart offers flexibility and control for businesses with development resources. It supports multiple stores, payment methods, and extensions, making it a strong choice for merchants who want a customizable commerce platform.

7. WooCommerce

For content-heavy brands and publishers, WooCommerce might be your best asset in 2026. It combines content and commerce seamlessly, and is great for those looking to launch an integrated store with strong user experience and digital marketing capabilities.

8. commercetools

Known as a pioneer of composable commerce, commercetools is built on MACH principles (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native SaaS, Headless). It’s ideal for large enterprises looking to innovate at scale and adapt quickly across a complex supply chain.

9. Wix

Wix has evolved from a website builder into a capable eCommerce platform for small businesses and creators. With drag-and-drop simplicity and SEO tools, it empowers brands to launch quickly without deep technical expertise.

10. Sana Commerce Cloud (SCC)

Sana Commerce Cloud is tailored for manufacturers and distributors. It connects directly to ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics and SAP, enabling real-time inventory, pricing, and product updates—making it a powerful option for B2B commerce!

Digital Commerce And Product Cloud

As digital commerce grows more complex and omnichannel, delivering accurate, compelling product information is essential. The Akeneo Product Cloud helps businesses centralize and enrich product data, making it easier to manage content across every commerce platform and sales channel.

By streamlining the flow of product data across teams and technologies, Akeneo reduces manual effort and accelerates time to market. Its integration with key systems, including PIM, DAM, ERPs, and digital marketing platforms, ensures your teams work with a single source of truth. This not only improves internal alignment but also strengthens the entire supply chain, helping you respond faster to market demands and deliver high-quality experiences that enhance customer experience at every step.

For both B2C and B2B commerce, Akeneo Product Cloud commerce enables growth by bridging the gap between backend data and front-end experiences. With real-time collaboration and scalable localization, it empowers businesses to build trust through product content that’s always contextual and channel-ready, turning customer data into a competitive advantage!

Choosing the Right Solutions Shapes the Future

The digital commerce landscape in 2026 demands data-driven and customer-centric commerce solutions that scale with your business. From composable architectures to AI-powered tools and integrated product cloud platforms, the technologies you choose today will shape how well you compete tomorrow.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your user experience, optimize your supply chain, or improve time to market, selecting the right digital commerce stack is key. In a real-time, omnichannel world, success depends on your ability to adapt and deliver value across every touchpoint.