Unfortunately, the technical adjustments made were often a series of workarounds trying to meet a need, resulting in tech debt. More modern online brands like in fashion and beauty accumulate tech debt by continually adding new features to the website or mobile app. What Modern Tech Debt Looks Like in Retail and HealthcareIt’s important to note that tech debt does not result from a company making a bad decision about specific technologies and implementations, such as layering AI onto a legacy solution. Deloitte's 2026 research found that 21% to 40% of a company's IT spending goes toward covering tech debt, though companies that modernize their infrastructure can reduce tech debt by 18% over five years. Why Tech Debt Needs Cross-Functional OwnershipProtecting the consumer experience, be it in retail or healthcare, and delivering a unified, cross-channel experience requires companies to solve technical debt cross-functionally.