AI in Retail: Jeremy Drury on IKEA’s Transformation, Leadership & the Future of Omnichannel

AI, retail transformation, omnichannel and customer experience: how is IKEA preparing for the next era of retail?

In this episode of Retail o-Tones, Alexis Tsingeni, The Retail Reporter, speaks with Jeremy Drury, CDO of IKEA Germany, about AI enablement, digital innovation and the challenge of transforming one of the world’s most iconic retail brands.

The conversation explores how IKEA approaches AI beyond the hype: from automation and internal AI agents to leadership, creativity and change management. Jeremy shares why technology should solve the right problems at the right time — and why stores will remain a central part of the customer journey in an increasingly omnichannel world.

👉 How can retailers enable employees to work with AI?👉 Where does AI create real value inside retail organizations?👉 And how do you balance technology with human creativity and experience?

A conversation about AI in retail that goes beyond buzzwords and focuses on people, processes and the future of connected shopping experiences.

📍 Recorded during EuroShop 2026🎥 Filmed inside the OBI Garden House

🤝 Retail o-Tones – EuroShop 2026 is powered by Vusion.

00:00 Welcome Back to Retail o-Tones

02:34 Transforming IKEA Germany

05:13 The Role of AI in Retail

07:46 AI Enablement Strategies

10:11 Navigating Change Management

12:55 AI Applications in Business15:23 Learning and Adapting with AI

17:30 The Future of Retail and AI

20:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

🎙️ Host: Alexis Tsingeni, Retail Reporter

🎙️ Guest: Jeremy Drury, CDO IKEA Germany

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