Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesRetail

The Driving Forces Behind the Retail Digital Transformation

Designed for retail leaders and lovers alike, Retail Refined explores the in-store technology of the future, challenges the industry’s preconceived notions, and brings together retail’s biggest names to understand the brand strategies that will define the next decade in retail.   What’s driving retail digital transformation post-pandemic? There are two main categories—customer interaction and transaction enablement, both…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Retail teams put it to work with Sales Enablement.

Share

Get featured

Want MarketScale to feature Retail?

Book a 15-minute demo and we'll map your Retail expertise to the content buyers are searching for.

Book a demo

Designed for retail leaders and lovers alike, Retail Refined explores the in-store technology of the future, challenges the industry’s preconceived notions, and brings together retail’s biggest names to understand the brand strategies that will define the next decade in retail.

What’s driving retail digital transformation post-pandemic? There are two main categories—customer interaction and transaction enablement, both of which are solutions of NCR. Their Retail President and General Manager David Wilkinson spoke about both with Retail Refined’s host Melissa Gonzalez. NCR is over 100 years old, with its roots in cash registers and ATMs, now focusing on enterprise technology solutions.

“What’s driving convenience an ease of life.” – David Wilkinson

Wilkinson explained, “We have three primary businesses, banking, restaurants, and retail. Our role is to the core technology behind the scenes so our clients can focus on being a good retailer.”

Wilkinson pointed out that the retail technology stack has been behind. “There was an underinvestment in IT, and now there is new investment for consuming-facing applications, but you have to update the core,” he said.

The pandemic caused some major acceleration in technology adoption by retail with online ordering, BOPIS (buy online pick up in-store) operations, and mobile payments. Wilkinson thinks what will stick post-pandemic is “what’s driving convenience an ease of life.” However, he believes people want to return to shopping in-store, but there will be a melding of the worlds enabled by technology.

Ultimately, what will make the difference is for a retailer to offer a seamless experience no matter the environment or channel. The challenges and opportunities ahead will be how to operationalize these processes that integrate technology to increase ROI for their mobile app or self-checkout. Retailers need to answer the behavior changes of consumers while also engaging them and continuing to build loyalty, whether they are online or in-store shoppers.

Listen to Previous Episodes of Retail Refined Right Here!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Retail starts with a company putting its merchandising leads, store operations teams, and category managers on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

Follow Retail Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Retail: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Retail buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Retail expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your merchandising leads, store operations teams, and category managers into the articles, video, and social content Retail buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Retail Insights

Retail's digital channel is outpacing store growth, and three moves by Tractor Supply, Albertsons, and DoorDash show why

Retail's digital channel is outpacing store growth, and three moves by Tractor Supply, Albertsons, and DoorDash show why

Tractor Supply, Albertsons, and DoorDash-Shopify are taking strategic actions to enhance their digital commerce capabilities as online sales approach 25% of total retail sales. These companies are investing in structural changes to adapt to the growing digital retail environment. Their initiatives reflect a broader industry shift toward ecommerce.

  • 01Ecommerce is nearing 25% of all retail sales.
  • 02Tractor Supply, Albertsons, and DoorDash-Shopify are investing in digital commerce infrastructure.
  • 03Digital channels are expanding faster than physical store growth.

Aug 8, 2026

Conversational commerce, retail media, and a 0.2% June sales print are rewriting the enterprise retail playbook

Conversational commerce, retail media, and a 0.2% June sales print are rewriting the enterprise retail playbook

Enterprise retail is being reshaped by factors such as AI chat shopping, the expansion of retail media, and recent fluctuations in sales data. Retail operators are responding to these changes with strategic adjustments to their playbooks. The need for immediate action is underscored by current market trends.

  • 01AI chat shopping is transforming how customers interact with retail platforms.
  • 02Retail media is experiencing significant growth, influencing marketing strategies.
  • 03A soft June sales figure of 0.2% is prompting retailers to rethink their strategies.

Aug 6, 2026

Retailers restructure digital operations as ecommerce becomes the baseline, not the edge

Retailers restructure digital operations as ecommerce becomes the baseline, not the edge

Retailers are restructuring their digital operations as e-commerce transitions from being an edge case to a fundamental aspect of their business strategies. Companies like Albertsons are centralizing merchandising efforts and Tractor Supply is expanding its digital presence despite economic challenges. Recent data from Forbes highlights the significant stakes involved in this digital evolution for the retail sector.

  • 01E-commerce is becoming a fundamental component of retail operations rather than a supplementary option.
  • 02Albertsons is centralizing its merchandising operations to better integrate with digital strategies.
  • 03Tractor Supply continues to grow its digital operations despite facing economic challenges.

Aug 5, 2026

Explore More Retail Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Retail.

Browse Retail Hub

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Retail and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512