Retail Technologies 2026: Cloud, Hybrid Checkouts, and Going Paperless
Author: Kirill Gladnev, Leading Systems Analyst of the Retail Analytics Group at GDC Services
I work at the Serbian IT company GDC Services, and for the past few years, my projects have been related to IT in retail. We have seen how global retail is changing: the industry has finally transitioned from experimentation to pragmatic automation, cloud legality, and hybrid service formats.
In this article, I’ll speak on how global retail is changing under pressure from legislation, AI, and the environment, and share my key observations on the trends that are truly effective.
Migration to Cloud Infrastructure
The main driver of change today is not even the desire of businesses to save money, but legislation. New requirements for fiscalization and real-time reporting (electronic invoicing, B2B invoices) are forcing retailers to migrate to cloud solutions.
Previously, retailers were afraid of the cloud: if the internet went down, the store would be down. Now the requirements are such that data must be sent to the tax office immediately. Moreover, electronic document management is no longer limited to simple mailing.
Data must be structured in a specific format and verified by the tax office — either directly (centralized system) or through commercial distribution platforms (decentralized). Italy became a pioneer in Europe by launching cloud-based fiscalization, and now this experience is spreading everywhere.
In the agile world, another driver of the cloud-native architecture is a faster continuous delivery cycle. Businesses can decouple application components to allow for independent updates and test the new features on the market quicker.
Artificial Intelligence — Not a Trend, but a Standard
Just a couple of years ago, AI in retail seemed like a breakthrough. Today, it’s a must-have — a mandatory requirement. Video analytics are ubiquitous at self-checkouts. Cameras analyze customer behavior, helping prevent theft and errors.
On-premise AI modules are becoming more accessible: they no longer require massive computing power. One of the vendors GDC Services works with offers a fully autonomous module that operates offline, right at the checkout.
Hyperpersonalization is moving offline. While personalized discounts were previously the preserve of marketplaces, now AI analyzes loyalty card data and purchase history, and personalized offers are delivered to customers via mobile apps during their in-store visit.
New payment methods
Retailers are actively seeking alternatives to cash and traditional cards. Trending are below.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services
Examples include the American service Affirm or the Swedish Klarna. Payment methods may vary from service to service, but the overall system is the same: the store receives the entire amount upfront (minus the BNPL provider’s commission), and the customer then pays the provider in installments.
Another successful BNPL scheme in European stores is for the customer to issue a virtual card for the required amount through an app and pay for the purchase using Apple Pay. Essentially, it’s a true one-time credit instrument.
Mobile checkouts
A store employee with a phone scans items at the front of a long line, and the customer immediately swipes their card or smartwatch. No waiting in line.
Hybrid checkouts
One of the most unexpected trends is the abandonment of traditional POS terminals in favor of hybrid devices. They can function both as a regular cash register with an attendant and as a self-checkout.
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A kiosk-type checkout on a rotating platform. On one side is the cashier’s screen; on the other is the customer’s screen. Simply rotate the device 180 degrees, and it becomes a self-checkout.
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A checkout with two touchscreens. It simultaneously serves customers in self-service mode, but if necessary (age verification, a questionable position), a cashier comes over, logs in, and resolves the issue.
Instead of 10 cashiers at 10 checkouts, you can have one operator per 10 locations. And if there’s enough staff, the checkout can easily be switched back to regular mode. The modular “plug and play” architecture is the key: a second screen, scanner, or other hardware can be connected and immediately works without complicated setup.
Ecology and Frugality
The eco-trend has gone from a marketing one to an economic one. Stores around the world:
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Charge for bags (and make a good profit).
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Abandon paper receipts. Today, 60% of receipts are already sent by email. In some chains (for example, a Serbian grocery store) a paper receipt isn’t even printed when a loyalty card is scanned — an electronic one is sent immediately.
Digital Twins of Products
Security technologies are also evolving. The bulky plastic “beepers” on expensive items are outdated. RFID tags sewn into the labels have replaced them. At Zara, they are almost invisible: if you leave the store without the tag deactivated, an alarm is triggered.
But the main value of RFID isn’t security, but logistics. Retailers receive real-time data on the movement of every item: on the shelf, in the warehouse, in the fitting room. This is a step toward digital twins of the store and accurate inventory control without manual counting.
What does all this mean for Retail?
Retail technology in 2026 is focused on one thing: making shopping as fast, convenient, and seamless as possible for the customer, while simultaneously giving businesses complete control over every product and every transaction. Everything else (AI, cloud, RFID) is just a tool to achieve this goal.
First, retail is moving definitively to the cloud. Legislation leaves no choice — data on every transaction must be reported to tax authorities in real time. Fear of losing internet connectivity is no longer an argument: hybrid systems and local backup modules solve this problem.
Second, artificial intelligence is no longer an end in itself. It has become infrastructure, like electricity or the internet. It doesn’t need to be “implemented as a trend”; it’s already built into every checkout, every camera, and every personalized offer.
Third, flexibility has become the key requirement for equipment. Retailers no longer want to choose between traditional checkouts and self-checkouts. They need devices that can do both, quickly switch between modes, and allow a single employee to manage dozens of locations.
Fourth, ecology is no longer just “greenwashing.” Eliminating paper receipts and paying for bags translates into real savings and additional revenue, not just concern for the planet.
Well, and If you’re planning to integrate new technologies into your everyday processes in retail, we’re here to help.
