Now and next: 2026 trends that invent growth
Growth used to be a formula. Now it’s a moving target.
When everyone and everything is moving fast, speed is no longer the differentiator it once was. The next year belongs to the organisations that can make decisive choices in uncertain terrain and to the brands that treat technology and creativity as codependent forces. Basically, 2026 belongs to the builders who think like inventors.
In the latest edition of our annual DEPT® Trends Report, we explore how to adopt a growth invention mindset that embraces change as a constant and leverages it as fuel for what comes next.
A peek at what’s inside the trends report…
15 trend-driven insights across branding, culture, AI, commerce, and systems. Strategic takeaways for leaders navigating AI-first markets. Real-world examples from DEPT® work with Mammut, NVIDIA, NIVEA, and more. And a roadmap for turning disruption into opportunity.
Inventing brand
The best-performing brands have always built on top of an enduring, timeless foundation with the tools and strategy they need to adapt to an ever-changing world. The next era of branding is no different.
Featured topics
Branding for AI assistants | Generative engine optimisation (GEO) | The power of proprietary data | The future of UX design | The next frontier of creative advantage
Inventing culture
Culture doesn’t wait for permission. Trends cycle more rapidly than ever, splintering across platforms, micro‑communities, full‑stack creator collabs, and brand‑owned synthetic personas. Amid this landscape, the winners will be those who can act quickly and authentically.
Featured topics
The influencer economy unbundled | Glanceable CX | The cultural sweet spot of heritage and technology
Inventing commerce
Commerce in 2026 is frictionless, fluid, and always on. Agentic marketplaces are rising as assistants compare, recommend, and increasingly buy. Your structured product feed is now your shelf space, and intent (not keywords) is the battleground. The brands that reinvent growth won’t chase transactions; they’ll design momentum.
Featured Topics
The future of agentic commerce | Loyalty in the age of personal AI | Live shopping and Gen Z
Inventing systems
Every system (technical, creative, or organisational) is becoming a living network of inputs, feedback, and intelligence. The brands that thrive will design for adaptability, not stability. Reinventing systems is about cultivating environments where humans and machines evolve side by side.
Featured Topics
The composable intelligence stack | Targeting with synthetic data | Shadow IT | The future of the workforce in the age of AI
Ready to dive in?
Download the full DEPT® 2026 Trends Report to explore the ideas, examples, and next steps you need to implement now to stay ahead.
