Coles 360 Sees 10.3% Growth in Retail Media Amid AI-Enhanced Shopping Experiences – Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Coles 360 has reported a significant 10.3% increase in its retail media operations, underscoring the growing influence of AI in driving growth for both Coles and Woolworths. This development highlights how AI-powered personalized shopping experiences are becoming central to retail innovation.

Who should care: VPs of retail, store operations leaders, eCommerce directors, customer experience teams, and retail technology decision-makers.

What happened?

Coles 360, the retail media division of Coles, has achieved a notable 10.3% growth in its operations, reflecting strong momentum within the retail media sector. This rise is part of a broader industry trend where retailers are increasingly leveraging their media assets to unlock new revenue streams beyond traditional sales channels. A key contributor to this growth is Cartology, a strategic partner that is helping Coles enhance its margins through targeted retail media solutions. Both Coles and Woolworths are advancing into what is termed ‘agentic commerce’—a model that harnesses AI to deliver highly personalized and automated shopping experiences. By tailoring the shopping journey to individual consumer preferences, this approach aims to deepen customer engagement and build long-term loyalty. The strategic integration of AI into retail media and commerce operations signals a shift toward more sophisticated, data-driven business models. The success of Coles 360 exemplifies how combining media assets with AI technology can generate measurable business outcomes and competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Why now?

This surge in growth coincides with a broader acceleration in the adoption of AI technologies across retail, which has gained significant traction over the past 18 months. Retailers are increasingly motivated to monetize their media assets as traditional revenue streams face pressure from evolving consumer behaviors and challenging economic conditions. The move toward agentic commerce aligns with a wider industry push for personalization and automation, fueled by rapid advancements in AI capabilities. These developments reflect a strategic response to consumer demand for more engaging, efficient, and tailored shopping experiences, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of retail commerce.

So what?

The implications of these trends are substantial for the retail sector. Strategically, prioritizing retail media networks and AI-driven commerce models offers retailers a pathway to enhanced profitability and a stronger competitive position. From an operational perspective, retailers will need to invest in AI technologies and advanced data analytics to fully capitalize on these opportunities. This shift toward personalization and automation is poised to redefine customer interactions and loyalty programs, making them more targeted, effective, and responsive to individual needs.

What this means for you:

• For VPs of retail: Evaluate how integrating AI can enhance personalized shopping experiences and drive incremental revenue growth.
• For eCommerce directors: Identify opportunities to monetize media assets and leverage AI tools to boost customer engagement.
• For customer experience teams: Develop strategies that harness AI to automate and personalize customer interactions, improving satisfaction and loyalty.

Quick Hits

• Impact / Risk: AI adoption in retail media has the potential to significantly increase profitability but may also intensify competition among retailers.
• Operational Implication: Retailers must upgrade their technological infrastructure to support scalable AI-driven commerce initiatives.
• Action This Week: Review current media asset strategies, assess AI integration readiness, and brief executive teams on emerging opportunities and risks.