After a cautious stretch, retailers are investing in stores again. NRF reports 2025 holiday sales topped $1 trillion. Confidence was evident across the NRF 2026 show floor, where retailers showcased investments in AI, autonomy, and connected store technology. It’s also showing up in CapEx spending: Dollar General is remodeling 2,000 stores, Target is putting $5 billion into stores and digital capabilities, and Sam’s Club is overhauling all 600 locations.

For field service, that means demand is growing for deployments, refreshes, and multi-site rollouts. Here are six retail trends influencing field service demand in 2026.

1. Return of refreshes and upgrades

Many retailers held off on major capital investments in 2024 and early 2025, but steady sales growth and lower borrowing costs restored confidence. Pandemic-era equipment can’t be stretched any further, and competition from Walmart, Amazon, and Costco is pushing mid-market retailers to embrace the “store of the future.”

The result: renewed spending on POS refreshes, self-checkout installations, electronic shelf labels, networking and cabling, and wireless upgrades, including Wi-Fi 7. Expect multi-site rollouts and compressed timelines as retailers make up for lost time.

Field Nation marketplace data confirms the momentum: POS-related work grew 16% year-over-year, networking 12%, and cabling 8%.

2. Dynamic store rationalization

According to Coresight Research, retailers have announced 1,200+ new store openings alongside 700+ closures to date for 2026. Both create field service work. 

New stores require end-to-end technology setup, including cabling, wireless access points, POS systems, and signage. Closures drive decommissioning, de-cabling, equipment boxing and labeling, and asset migration for re-use. The effect is an increase in technology footprint per store, which means more intensive deployments when stores open.

3. Efficient store formats

Retailers are betting on smaller store formats. Burlington has cut store sizes by roughly 80%, with new locations averaging just 18,000 square feet. IKEA opened eight small-format “Plan & Order” stores in 2025. Macy’s, Target, and Nordstrom have all formalized what was once experimental.

These formats boost profitability per square foot and cater to shoppers who want speed and convenience. They also require different technology: mobile POS instead of fixed lanes, compact self-checkout, interactive kiosks, and robust wireless infrastructure to support it all.

4. Digitalized in-store services and experiences

Retailers are investing in technology that brings online convenience into physical stores. Self-service kiosks, smart shelves with RFID, digital signage, and augmented reality experiences all require installation, integration with existing systems, and ongoing support. 

According to Deloitte, nearly half of retail executives surveyed plan to make moderate-to-significant investments in physical store remodels or new locations. Much of that investment targets digital customer experiences that attract modern shoppers.

Field service volumes reflect the shift. On the Field Nation marketplace, kiosk-related work grew 7% and A/V & digital signage work grew 3% year-over-year.

5. AI and automation in action

Retailers are putting AI to work with intelligent inventory tracking that knows what’s on shelves in real time, AI-powered surveillance that reduces shrinkage, and robotics in warehouses and backrooms. These systems are more complex than the technology they replace. 

Field service leaders need to prepare for work spanning both customer-facing systems and core store infrastructure, requiring expertise across installation, integration, and ongoing support as AI and automation increase system complexity.

6. Security continues to be paramount

Security remains a priority, but it’s evolved. IP cameras now deliver both loss prevention and shopping analytics, capturing customer traffic patterns, dwell times, and conversion rates. 

According to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting incidents jumped 18% last year, making security upgrades essential. Modern installations require Power over Ethernet cabling and integration with retail analytics platforms, creating opportunities for deployments that deliver business intelligence alongside traditional surveillance.

On the Field Nation marketplace, the trend is clear. CCTV and alarm system work grew 10% year-over-year.

The opportunity for field service leaders

Retail momentum is creating strong demand, but not all retailers are investing at the same pace. Field service leaders who understand their clients’ priorities and timelines can position themselves for both long-term modernization projects and time-sensitive upgrades.