AI and second-hand markets drive shifts in luxury and retail sectors

The Ernst & Young (EY) Luxury Client Index 2026 reveals a significant shift in luxury consumer behavior, highlighting a growing interest in certified second-hand goods and artificial intelligence. According to the study, 62% of luxury consumers are open to purchasing certified pre-owned items, an 8-point increase from the previous year. This trend is particularly strong among Gen Z, where interest reaches 53%. Additionally, 94% of respondents believe AI can enhance the shopping experience, and 63% are considering membership models that offer exclusive access and personalized services.

In the broader retail sector, the integration of AI and supply chain technologies is accelerating. The supply chain management market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 11.4% between 2025 and 2030, reaching an estimated $48.59 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by needs in planning, analytics, and inventory optimization. Companies like SAP are responding to these shifts; SAP plans to introduce its Retail Intelligence solution in 2026, which aims to integrate sales, inventory, and customer data across various systems to improve demand forecasting and reduce manual planning workloads through AI-driven simulations.