> **来源:[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # Drake Star Retail Technology Market Report Summary (Full Year 2025) ## Core Content Drake Star is a leading global boutique investment bank specializing in mid-market technology, with a strong focus on retail technology M&A and growth financing advisory. The firm has completed over 500 transactions in 2025 and is recognized for its expertise in the retail tech space, with a 100% tech-focused team and a presence in 8 offices across 5 countries. ## Main Points - **Market Growth**: The global retail technology market is projected to grow at a **~6% CAGR** to reach **~$500B by 2035**, driven by automation, AI, and the need for integrated platforms that manage data and workflows effectively. - **Market Size**: In 2025, global retail technology spend reached **$282B**, with **$31.3T** in total retail sales. Ecommerce accounts for **~6.4T**, or **~20.5%**, of global retail spend. - **AI Integration**: AI is becoming a central component of retail operations, enabling personalization, predictive analytics, and real-time decision-making. It is transforming the retail landscape from rule-based automation to agentic AI. - **Omnichannel Adoption**: Retailers are increasingly adopting omnichannel models that blend physical and digital touchpoints for seamless shopping experiences. - **Data Importance**: The control of clean, first-party data is becoming a key differentiator in retail technology, especially as third-party cookies become less reliable. - **Retail Media Networks (RMNs)**: RMNs are growing rapidly, with the global market expected to reach **$57B by 2030**, driven by the rise of ecommerce and online shopping. Top RMNs like Amazon and Walmart are offering tools for incrementality testing and standardized reporting. - **Cross-Border Transactions**: Over **70%** of retail technology transactions are cross-border, indicating a strong global demand for integrated solutions. - **Strategic Consolidation**: The market is moving toward a **structural consolidation phase**, with M&A accelerating the integration of fragmented point solutions into broader systems of record, action, engagement, and intelligence. ## Key Information ### Market Trends - **Consumer Behavior**: Despite economic uncertainties, retail spending has remained resilient. Consumers are showing **increased price sensitivity** and a preference for **value-driven purchases**, while still maintaining **positive sentiment toward AI**. - **AI in Retail**: AI adoption is accelerating across all retail sectors, with **~69%** of consumers approving AI suggestions and **~47%** of US retailers reporting AI-driven loyalty gains. - **Personalization**: Personalization is a key growth lever, with **~80%** of consumers preferring brands that offer it. AI enables **~40% more revenue** through personalized experiences. - **Technology Stack**: Retail technology is being re-architected around **AI-powered platforms**, which are becoming the new operating system for commerce. These platforms integrate **data, AI, and commerce** to deliver **measurable and scalable advertising**. ### Key Players - **Drake Star**: A top global boutique investment bank with a **100% tech-focused team**, over **60 awards**, and a strong presence in **North America, Europe, and Asia**. - **Retailers**: Major players such as **H&M, Amazon, Walmart, and Zara** are leveraging AI for **inventory management, pricing, and customer engagement**. - **Technology Solutions**: The adoption of **smart shelf technology, AI-driven planning, in-store analytics, and self-checkout systems** is increasing, improving **operational efficiency** and **customer experience**. ### Emerging Technologies - **Universal Commerce Protocol**: An open standard enabling **AI agents** to interact seamlessly with retailers across **discovery, checkout, and fulfillment**. - **Commerce Media Networks (CMNs)**: These networks have become **extensive advertising ecosystems**, using **first-party data** for targeted ads across **digital and physical channels**. - **Smart Tools**: Retail planning is being transformed by **AI-driven tools** that automate forecasting, pricing, and shrinkage reduction, improving **efficiency and agility**. ### Challenges and Opportunities - **Fragmentation**: Retail technology remains highly fragmented, leading to **vendor sprawl** and **integration debt**. This is driving a shift toward **fewer, broader platforms**. - **Supply Chain**: Retailers are increasingly using **predictive analytics, AI, and automation** to improve **supply chain resilience**, with **77%** of leaders investing in **quality data analysis**. - **Collaboration**: Platforms that enable **collaborative product lifecycle management (PLM)** and **supplier compliance** are helping retailers and suppliers reduce **costs and disruptions**. ## Summary Drake Star is a leader in retail technology investment banking, offering a **tech-focused team** with **16 partner-level bankers** and **8 offices in 5 countries**. The firm has a **strong transaction track record**, with over **500 transactions completed in 2025**, and is positioned at the forefront of **AI-driven retail transformation**. The global retail technology market is growing rapidly, driven by **AI adoption**, **omnichannel strategies**, and the **need for integrated systems**. Retailers are increasingly focused on **seamless customer experiences**, **data-driven decision-making**, and **personalization** to enhance **revenue and margins**. As **third-party cookies** become less reliable, **first-party data** is becoming a **key asset** for retailers. The rise of **retail media networks** and **commerce media** is reshaping how brands connect with consumers, with a growing emphasis on **transparency, ROI, and AI integration**. With the **emergence of agentic AI**, the retail technology stack is being redefined to support **intelligent commerce**, **real-time analytics**, and **seamless customer journeys**. This shift is creating **powerful centers of gravity** around **core platforms**, which will shape the **next generation of value creation** in the **$31T global retail market**. The **market is moving toward consolidation**, with **M&A** and **private placements** regaining momentum. This is driven by the **increasing strategic value** of **integrated platforms** that offer **unified data, AI capabilities, and operational efficiency**. Overall, **retail technology is becoming a non-negotiable component** of the retail landscape, enabling **resilient profitability**, **personalized experiences**, and **data-led growth**.