Josh Holmes

Josh Holmes is Head of Research at Retail Economics, a leading retail and consumer insights consultancy. He leads a team of analysts combining data, insight and storytelling to explain the trends shaping consumer behaviour and the future of retail.

Previously, Josh held research roles at BNP Paribas and Fitch Group, where he led consumer forecasting and advised clients on the outlook for retail and consumer markets.

A regular commentator on retail trends, his insights have featured in Bloomberg, CNBC and the Financial Times. He is recognised as both a LinkedIn Top Voice and a 2026 Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail.

“The Race to Unified Growth: AI, Agentic Commerce and the Evolving Customer Journey”

Customer journeys are becoming more complex, dynamic and difficult to predict. New channels, changing consumer behaviours and the rapid rise of AI and agentic experiences are fundamentally reshaping how products are discovered, researched and purchased. Drawing on recent industry research, this session explores what rising complexity means for retailers and brands seeking growth, and why future success increasingly depends on connected data, integrated systems and the ability to deliver seamless experiences across every interaction.