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WHITEPAPER

Whitepaper: Revealing the Future of B2B

Jonny Taylor
Jonny Taylor Head of Marketing
Published 23/03/26
Image for Whitepaper: Revealing the Future of B2B

The future of UK B2B commerce is already unfolding; the question is who is prepared for it.

A landmark study of UK B2B decision-makers reveals two competing realities: accelerating digital ambition on one side; stalled investment and fragmented infrastructure on the other. 

Commissioned by Glass Atlas, Commerce and PayPal, and conducted by YouGov, this report unpacks the forces shaping that divergence, through the lens of Kevin Kelly’s The Inevitable and the lived experience of British B2B firms today. 

In this report, you’ll uncover:

  • Why 44% of UK B2B firms are planning no technology investment in the next 12 months, even as competitive pressure and customer expectations continue to rise.
  • Where AI adoption is genuinely accelerating and where it is stalling, with clear sector-level differences between manufacturing, IT, and hospitality.
  • Why 65% of large B2B business believe payment flexibility has become a decisive factor in closing deals, despite most organisations still relying on manual processes.
  • How governance and marketing misalignment is quietly undermining digital transformation, when only 22% of organisations see marketing as a primary driver of growth.

Read the report

Get your copy of The Inevitable: UK B2B Commerce in 2026







    “We’re working with B2B businesses every day who are trying to navigate a landscape that’s changing faster than most organisations are structured to respond to. What this research makes clear is that the opportunity isn’t just in adopting new technology, but in aligning it with a clear commercial strategy. The businesses that get this right in 2026 will be the ones that I believe will enjoy real success in this new era of B2B commerce."

    Jon Woodall

    CEO, Glass Atlas

    CONTRIBUTORS

    Image of Vinny O'Brien

    Vinny O'Brien

    Commerce Consultant

    With over 15 years of experience in online retail, digital marketing, and ecommerce consulting, this industry expert designs and executes global omnichannel strategies for major companies. A passionate mentor and board director, he empowers established brands and startups alike to optimise online presence, performance, and profitability, regularly sharing his insights on retail, marketplace, and omnichannel best practices.

    Image of Lance Owide

    Lance Owide

    General Manager B2B

    As the VP of Business to Business at Commerce, Lance leads the global strategy for the success of the program, encompassing go-to-market, sales, customer success, and product direction. He is passionate about collaborating with innovative companies and sharing insights to help them drive sustainable growth. With a background in strategy, sales and technology, Lance helps organisations navigate the complexities of digital commerce transformation at scale. His insights into platform architecture, customer experience and growth-oriented execution make him a respected voice in the evolution of B2B ecommerce.

    Image of Jonny Taylor

    Jonny Taylor

    Head of Marketing

    Jonny is the Head of Marketing at Glass Atlas. With an extensive background in SEO, copywriting, and content marketing, he helps bring the knowledge of Glass Atlas's 170+ experts to the brands that need it. He works closely with Glass Atlas's key partners, including Commerce and PayPal, to deliver market-leading research and insights about the future of digital commerce.

    PARTNERS