A comprehensive Salesforce survey of 8,350 shoppers and 1,700 industry leaders reveals that 75% of retailers consider AI agents essential for competitive advantage by 2026. The study highlights a shift in retail operations, with physical store purchases expected to decrease from 45% to 41% by 2026. Currently, 84% of retailers utilize AI technology, with only 2% having no plans to implement it. The survey also found that 89% of retailers anticipate positive returns on AI investments, citing increased employee productivity and improved customer experiences as primary benefits.