Adapt or Be Outpaced – Tech Imperative for Retail’s Midmarket

The mid-market retail sector stands at a critical inflection point. While the largest retailers double down on technology investments – spending nearly twice their revenue percentage compared to just a few years ago, retailers in the $10 million to $2 billion range face a stark reality: adapt quickly or risk being systematically outpaced by better-funded competitors leveraging AI and scale advantages.

This comprehensive survey of 300+ mid-market retailers reveals both the urgency and the roadblocks preventing technological transformation. The data tells a story of ambitious growth expectations, where companies project 7.2% sales growth expectations for 2026 but fundamental constraints threaten to derail these aspirations.