Report: Global retail tech spending to top $203 billion this year Chain Store Age

Global retail technology spending will near $203.6 billion in 2019 as stores continue to play digital catch-up and AI, robotics and payment innovation plans advance. That's according to new research conducted by Tech. a collaboration between Retail Week and World Retail Congress. The surge – an anticipated 3.6% increase from 2018 – comes as owners of physical stores strive to add an advanced digital dimension to offline shopping, among other priorities. The need to engage customers in new ways, while managing stock, operations and promotions more effectively and cost-efficiently, is also driving up international IT spending. The report, "A world in motion: Retail digital transformation across the globe, and the technology supporting it," also identifies country-specific trends.