Here are the recent happenings in the Retail and Consumer Tech world as of Nov 3, 2025…..

Direct-to-consumer momentum is alive and well. Bikesdirect.com launched its 2025 performance lineup across hybrid, gravel, road, mountain, fat and e-bikes, promising factory-direct savings “sometimes up to 60% off retail prices.” As a spokesperson put it, “Cycling should be about freedom, not financing.” Press release 

Macro signals show a cautious consumer with pockets of retail strength. The October Fiserv Small Business Index held at 148, with sales up +1.5% YoY and transactions +1.1%. “Consumers continued spending cautiously in October,” said Prasanna Dhore, CDO at Fiserv, noting an uptick for small retailers heading into holidays while restaurants saw softness. Sporting goods (+3.0% MoM) and clothing (+1.9% MoM) benefited from early holiday activity. Fiserv release 

AI adoption is accelerating into the 2026 mass market. An IEEE global survey forecasts agentic AI hitting consumer mass-market levels next year, reflecting “lightning-speed” innovation and rising comfort with AI-driven assistance. IEEE/PR Newswire

Holiday behavior is already skewing digital and AI-assisted. One study finds 79% of consumers plan to shop Black Friday with GenAI usage spiking, while separate research indicates 83% plan to use AI tools to choose gifts. PR Newswire; Portada 

Category management is being rewired around real-time, shopper-first data. “Trends move faster and with more ferocity in our social media age,” said Storesight CEO Ty Kasperbauer, arguing traditional two-times-a-year resets lag consumer shifts. Diana Sheehan (PDG Insights) added that national players “are not as dynamic as they could be,” while Kristen DiCorleto (CVS Media Exchange) emphasized using loyalty and retail-media data to localize assortments. Kate Garner (PepsiCo) underscored “phygital” behaviors—tech that enhances in-store trips—requiring tight shelf-screen alignment. Consumer Goods Technology. 

At the CG Sales & Marketing Tech Summit (Oct 28–29, Chicago), keynotes from Alan Wizemann (Southern Glazer’s) and Ekta Chopra (e.l.f. Beauty) framed the playbook: data-fueled, human-led, AI-enabled experiences across RGM, marketing, and execution—plus a look ahead to agentic commerce. CGT Summit Snapshot. 

And a brand signal from the blue-chip aisle: PepsiCo unveiled its first new corporate mark in 25 years. CEO Ramon Laguarta said the refreshed identity builds on pep+ to operate “faster, stronger and better,” aiming to highlight the broader portfolio—only 21% of consumers can name a PepsiCo brand beyond Pepsi today. Packaging begins rolling out January 2026. CGT. 

This article was initiated using AI technology provided by Apple and OpenAI.