The retail industry is always evolving — but 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly significant year. From the way brands are designing their in-store environments to the growing demand for sustainable practices, retailers are making deliberate choices about where to focus their energy and investment. Here is a look at three of the biggest priorities driving the industry forward this year.
Retail has always been about meeting the customer where they are. In 2026, that means understanding not just what customers want to buy, but how they want to shop — and building experiences, systems, and partnerships that deliver on those expectations, consistently.
- Elevating the In-Store Experience
As online shopping continues to grow, physical retail is not disappearing, it is evolving. Retailers are investing significantly in making the in-store experience more engaging, immersive, and worth the trip. Research shows that 82% of retailers increased spend on experiential marketing in 2025, and that trend is expected to continue into 2026 as brands work to create moments of discovery and connection that online channels simply cannot replicate.
For brands that sell through physical retail, this shift has direct implications for how products are displayed. A great in-store experience starts with a great display; one that captures attention quickly, communicates value clearly, and gives the customer a reason to stop and engage. Retailers are raising the bar on what they expect from their brand partners, and displays that look like afterthoughts are not going to cut it in today’s retail environment.
- Seamless Omnichannel Integration
Omnichannel shopping is no longer a trend — it is the standard. Research shows that 73% of retail consumers are omnichannel shoppers, and the average consumer engages with six touchpoints before making a purchase. Retailers are prioritizing investments in technology and strategy that allow them to deliver a consistent, frictionless experience whether a customer is shopping online, on a mobile device, or walking through a physical store.
For brands, this means that the in-store environment needs to deliver on the promise of everything the customer has already seen online. A display that does not align with a brand’s digital presence creates a disconnect that can erode trust and weaken the overall shopping experience. In 2026, consistency across channels is expected. The physical display is often the last touchpoint before a customer makes a purchase decision, and it needs to work as hard as every other part of the omnichannel journey.
- A Deeper Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability has been a growing priority in retail for several years, and in 2026 it is only becoming more important. Consumer demand is increasing steadily, as are regulations requiring sustainability and transparency from producers globally. Shoppers (particularly younger generations) are paying close attention to how brands and retailers approach their environmental responsibilities, and they are making purchasing decisions accordingly.
For brands investing in retail displays, this means thinking carefully about the materials, manufacturing processes, and end-of-life considerations that go into every piece. Sustainability in display fabrication is not just about using recycled materials, it is about making smart, intentional choices at every stage of the process that reduce waste and support a more responsible supply chain.
WHAT BAW PLASTICS IS PRIORITIZING IN 2026
At BAW Plastics, we pay close attention to where the retail industry is headed, because our customers’ success depends on it. In 2026, we are focused on expanding our capabilities and equipment to better serve the brands and retailers we work with. Not only have we upgraded our digital printer recently, we are also in the process of acquiring a new press brake and CNC router to continue expanding our capabilities in the ever-changing landscape of retail.
Investing in our manufacturing capabilities means we can take on more complex projects, tighten our tolerances, and deliver higher quality displays with greater efficiency. It means being a stronger, more capable partner for brands that are raising the bar on their retail presence, and it means being ready for whatever the evolving retail landscape demands next! The retailers and brands that win in 2026 will be the ones that invest in the right partnerships, the right processes, and the right displays. BAW is here to help make that happen!
At BAW Plastics, we manufacture custom retail displays and components for brands across the U.S. and North America. If you are ready to talk about your next display project, we would love to hear from you! See some product examples here: Explore Our Product Catalog | Retail Display Solutions
