Retail Reality Check

7-Eleven, in partnership with Lotte Innovate, launched an industry-first Android-based cloud POS system that cuts device size by 80%. The system includes an Android app, cloud server, and dedicated devices. After pilot testing in two stores, 7-Eleven plans to expand to 500 stores next year and adopt tablets by 2028.

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Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh has selected PAR Technology Corporation’s full unified suite—including PAR POS, Hardware, Pay, Payment Services, Engagement (Punchh), and OPS Recovery—to modernize its restaurant operations. The partnership will unify front- and back-of-house systems, enhance loyalty experiences, and support the brand’s digital transformation and scalability.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is rolling out Nedap’s iD Cloud Store platform across stores in North America, EMEA, and APAC after a successful 15-store pilot. The RFID-based solution enhances omnichannel fulfillment, inventory accuracy, and on-shelf availability, supporting A&F’s global operations with real-time inventory visibility and improved efficiency.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is deploying Nedap’s RFID-enabled iD Cloud Store solution chainwide after a successful pilot, enhancing inventory accuracy, on-shelf availability, and omnichannel fulfillment. The technology provides real-time item-level visibility, boosting in-store order execution, replenishment efficiency, and overall operational performance.

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Agilysys announced that its cloud-native enterprise POS platform, InfoGenesis, has been approved for use across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio. The integration supports omnichannel operations, mobile transactions, and real-time guest service features, enhancing efficiency and consistency across IHG’s Luxury, Premium, Essentials, Suites, and Partner brands.

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Amazon’s Just Walk Out (JWO) technology has reached 300+ third-party deployments across the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and France, expanding beyond sports stadiums to hospitals, warehouses, and universities. Hardware, AI, and RFID upgrades have reduced costs and added POS, payment, and loyalty integrations via partners like MyVenue, Shift4, Cbord, and Transact.

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Canadian retailer Aritzia has partnered with Nedap to implement the latter’s ID Cloud RFID platform, enabling real-time, item-level inventory visibility across its stores. The solution enhances Aritzia’s unified commerce operations—streamlining ship-from-store and pickup processes—while improving stock accuracy, efficiency, and customer experience.

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Ashley has partnered with Perplexity and PayPal to let shoppers request furniture recommendations, add items to their cart, and pay in one seamless AI-powered conversation. The integration positions Ashley as an early adopter of “agentic commerce,” merging generative AI search with direct purchasing for a frictionless customer experience.

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Big Brand Tire & Service is modernizing inventory replenishment across its 320+ stores and distribution centers using the Invent.ai agentic AI platform. The tool replaces manual processes with AI-driven recommendations, real-time demand analysis, and automated replenishment workflows to optimize inventory, improve visibility, and support scalable expansion.

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Coborn’s Inc. is deploying Revionics’ AI pricing platform to gain a unified, data-driven view of prices and promotions across roughly 80 Midwest grocery stores, including Coborn’s, Cash Wise, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher’s, Kessler’s and Sullivan’s Foods. The tool will replace manual pricing, optimize KVIs, zones and categories, and support localized, customer-centric strategies.

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Dior has deployed new AI- and AR-powered warehouse management software from Hardis Supply Chain integrated with Scandit’s smart data capture technology. The system enables multi-barcode scanning, AR item identification, and automated verification, cutting shipment verification times by 85% and enhancing picking accuracy, efficiency, and supply chain innovation.

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Estée Lauder is partnering with Shopify to rebuild its global ecommerce infrastructure, creating a unified digital commerce foundation across websites and stores. Part of its “Beauty Reimagined” strategy, the rollout in Q1 2026 will use Shopify’s AI-driven analytics and real-time insights to boost personalization, agility, and omnichannel performance.

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Europris, Norway’s leading variety discounter, implemented RELEX Solutions’ AI and ML-based forecasting tools to automate campaign forecasting. The technology improved forecast accuracy by up to 30 percentage points and saved 10 hours weekly on forecast maintenance, enabling planners to focus on strategy, promotions, and inventory optimization.

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Evri partnered with Zebra Technologies to deploy linerless printing devices across its ParcelShop network. The solution uses Zebra's ET45 tablets and ZD621 printers, offering 50% more labels per roll and reducing shipping weight by 40%, supporting sustainability while improving efficiency for over 6,000 independent retailers.

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Furniture Village has partnered with Constructor to deploy AI-powered search and product discovery technology, enhancing personalization and ease of shopping across its digital platforms. Chief Digital Officer George Clark highlighted the collaboration with Constructor and Brave Bison as a major step toward a more modern, frictionless customer experience.

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Genius, Bojangles, and Hi Auto showcased their expanded enterprise Voice AI deployment across nearly 500 restaurants at the Global Payments Genius Conference. Using the new Genius XPI platform, Bojangles’ “Bo Linda” system now enables real-time POS integration, dual-lane drive-thru image matching, and local routing, improving service speed, accuracy, and reliability.

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Storesight and Kellanova are using shelf intelligence and AI to transform retail execution by connecting digital insights to in-store behavior. The data helps optimize assortment, pricing, and availability while reducing out-of-stocks. Scaling these tools enterprise-wide requires data integration, training, and cultural alignment across marketing, merchandising, and operations.

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Guitar Center is using AI to enhance both employee training and customer service. CEO Gabe Dalporto highlighted new tools including Pitch Practice, a voice-based training app simulating customer interactions, and Rig Advisor, a virtual gear expert for shoppers. AI also automates tax-free sales processing and generates product images, improving efficiency and freeing staff to focus on customers.

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The ALDO Group replaced its aging custom composable commerce stack with Shopify to accelerate innovation and reduce maintenance overhead. Using Shopify’s enterprise platform, AI-native tools, and partner ecosystem, ALDO launched three brands in nine months, cut release times from hours to seconds, and saw a 20% YoY conversion boost within two months.

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IKEA Canada partnered with Carat and The Trade Desk to unify its media investments using The Trade Desk’s Kokai platform and omnichannel optimization tools. The campaign achieved a 17% reduction in CPA, a 37% increase in channel overlap, and improved media efficiency by connecting display, CTV, and online video strategies.

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Finnish wholesaler and distributor IKH has chosen RELEX Solutions to automate forecasting and replenishment across its distribution center and store network. The AI-driven platform will deliver end-to-end supply chain visibility, optimize stock levels, and enhance product availability while reducing manual effort and improving operational efficiency.

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Instacart launched an app on ChatGPT, enabling users to shop, check out, and schedule grocery delivery directly within a ChatGPT conversation. Using OpenAI’s frontier models and built on Agentic Commerce Protocol, the tool connects real-time grocery fulfillment to conversational AI, simplifying the journey from meal inspiration to doorstep delivery.

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Kellanova executives forecast 2026 as a year of tech reinvention, led by agentic AI, connected commerce, advanced analytics, smart supply chains, and sustainable tech. Using its RGM Navigator, clean room, and AI/ML tools, Kellanova boosts personalization, pricing, and operational efficiency, embedding sustainability across innovation and supply chain ecosystems.

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Healthy fast-food brand Konala has partnered with Citadel Development, known for building 7 Brew Coffee and Smalls Sliders, as its national design-build partner. Citadel will manage Konala’s end-to-end construction, enabling faster rollout of its modular drive-thru locations and supporting the brand’s rapid, quality-focused nationwide expansion.

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Kroger will pay $350 million to Ocado Group as it scales back its automated “customer fulfillment center” model, closing three CFCs and halting one planned opening. Kroger will continue operating five CFCs using Ocado’s AI and robotics tech, while expanding delivery partnerships with Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.

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Land O’Lakes is partnering with Microsoft in a multiyear alliance to co-develop AI-powered agricultural tools using Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry. Their latest innovation, “Oz,” a digital assistant built on Land O’Lakes’ farm data, helps farmers optimize yields and manage risks. Beta testing will expand to retail agronomists next year.

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Mango expanded its partnership with Inspectorio, implementing the AI-powered Lab Test Management tool to digitize and standardize lab-testing analytics. The platform centralizes test data across suppliers and product categories, improving visibility, quality control, and sustainability alignment within Mango’s global sourcing and compliance operations.

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Marks & Spencer launched RE:Spark, a supply chain decarbonization program with Schneider Electric, using its Zeigo Hub digital platform to help suppliers adopt renewable electricity. The initiative supports Plan A’s 2040 net zero goal through data tracking, advisory services, and renewable energy aggregation across global supply chains.

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L’Oréal and Mastercard launched the L’Oréal Mastercard BusinessCard in Mexico, issued by Clara, to support salon owners, stylists, and beauty entrepreneurs. The card offers rewards on L’Oréal purchases, expense management through Clara’s platform, and access to L’Oréal Academy trainings, aiming to boost financial inclusion and business growth.

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New Look completed its migration to SAP Commerce Cloud, working with SAP and Accenture to unify customer, product, sales, and finance data. Building on SAP Emarsys and S/4HANA Finance, the platform supports personalized engagement and omnichannel sales, delivering over £4 million in savings and boosting customer engagement and revenue.

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Ocado Ads has partnered with Epsilon to create a new retail media solution powered by Epsilon’s COREid identity platform. Using the Epsilon Retail Media platform, brands can extend campaigns beyond Ocado’s sites to the open web, connected TV, and audio, ensuring verified, personalized shopper engagement.

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Employee-owned organic produce company Riverford has chosen RELEX Solutions for AI-driven demand, production, and scheduling planning, and will implement IFS Cloud via Arcwide to replace manual processes. The digital transformation aims to boost efficiency, scalability, and supply chain resilience while supporting Riverford’s sustainability-focused growth strategy.

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Pinterest and Walmart are launching a U.S. pilot for shoppable recipes, letting Pinterest users add ingredients from recipe Pins directly to Walmart’s online cart for pickup or delivery. The feature uses Pinterest’s AI-powered visual shopping tools and expands its e-commerce collaborations, following similar integrations with Amazon, Wix, and Instacart.

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PopSockets partnered with Crisp and Snowflake to unify retail, e-commerce, and finance data, replacing manual Excel reporting with automated, real-time insights. The integration improved inventory accuracy to 95–97%, boosted Best Buy sales 44%, and Amazon sales 12%, preparing the brand for scalable AI-driven decision-making.

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Premium Nexus JSC, operator of over 500 CU convenience stores in Mongolia, has partnered with RELEX Solutions to deploy its AI-powered forecasting and replenishment platform across stores and two distribution centers. Supported by Beijing Times Consulting, the system will centralize supply chain planning, optimize inventory, and enhance operational efficiency.

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Rosso Coffee Roasters has chosen Zoku’s Counter Service solution, featuring Zoku POS, Kitchen Display System (KDS), and its Cloud Integration platform. The implementation connects NetSuite ERP, Shopify, mobile app orders, and loyalty programs, enabling unified operations, real-time reporting, and consistent customer experiences across all sales channels.

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CitySprint extended its partnership with home improvement retailer Wickes through December 2027. The courier will continue providing home delivery from Wickes’ 230+ UK stores, now with a reduced delivery window—from five to four hours—to improve speed, convenience, and customer satisfaction.

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Schnuck Markets is using Domo’s AI and Data Products platform as its enterprise reporting solution to unify siloed data across 113 Midwest stores. With Domo and its App Studio, Schnucks built dashboards for company-wide KPIs, real-time sales tracking, and proactive decision-making, and plans to add Domo.AI for AI-driven insights.

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Liberty Sports Group chose Shift4 Payments as its exclusive technology partner, using Shift4’s SkyTab Venue for integrated POS, payment, and fan experiences across its managed sports and entertainment venues. Separately, Chicago’s Adalina Prime restaurant adopted SpotOn’s POS platform for operations, scheduling, tips, gift cards, and online ordering.

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Curbit partnered with Starbird, a digital-first chicken brand, to enhance real-time guest communication and optimize digital order flow. Using integrations with Olo and QSR Automations, Curbit helps Starbird manage kitchen capacity, improve timing accuracy, and maintain consistent, efficient operations across its growing network of 19 locations.

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TravelCenters of America, part of the bp portfolio, has launched Relay Payments’ cardless, digital fueling solution across its TA, Petro Stopping Centers, and TA Express locations. The Relay platform enables drivers and fleets to pay for diesel and DEF directly at the pump or in-store, improving speed, security, and operational efficiency.

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Target Corp. is piloting a next-day delivery service in Cleveland using a 40,000-sq.-ft. sortation center and Shipt delivery drivers. The three-year test aims to speed online order fulfillment as Target competes with Amazon’s 30-minute “Amazon Now” service and Walmart’s ultrafast drone delivery expansion.

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The Fragrance Shop has rolled out YOOBIC’s AI-powered retail operations platform across all stores and Fragrance Quarters teams after a successful pilot. The tool streamlines operations, boosts communication, and enhances visibility, empowering staff to deliver better customer experiences and advance the company’s digital transformation.

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Tractor Supply has consolidated its AI strategy around OpenAI, moving away from multiple vendors like Google and Microsoft to streamline governance and innovation. The retailer uses OpenAI for chatbots, supply chain, and employee tools, automating about 1,500 processes to boost efficiency and explore AI-driven commerce.

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Urban Outfitters Inc., parent of Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly, is deploying Inspectorio’s AI-based Responsible Sourcing & Compliance, Lab Test Management, and Traceability solutions across all brands. The tools will automate compliance, enhance supply chain transparency, and support global labor and environmental regulations, including UFLPA and France’s AGEC law.

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Walgreens Advertising Group is expanding its retail media ecosystem through a partnership with Rokt. The collaboration allows non-endemic brands to target millions of Walgreens.com customers on order confirmation pages using Rokt’s AI-powered technology, enhancing ad relevance, customer engagement, and new revenue opportunities for Walgreens.

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Walgreens opened a new robotic micro-fulfillment center in West Jordan, Utah, expanding its automated prescription fulfillment network to 13 facilities nationwide. The new center supports nearly 96 stores, including 48 in Utah, using robotics to streamline dispensing and help fulfill 18 million prescriptions monthly across 5,000 stores.

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Walmart is extending its holiday delivery deadlines, allowing shoppers to use one-hour Express Delivery on orders placed until 5 p.m. Christmas Eve. The retailer also launched a new “Get it Now” in-app option that shows real-time delivery estimates to speed decisions and streamline last-minute holiday shopping.

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Walmart and Pinterest are piloting a shoppable recipe experience that lets Pinterest users add recipe ingredients directly to their Walmart online or mobile cart. The tool enables product substitutions, real-time pricing, and store selection, expanding Walmart’s AI-powered digital meal-planning partnerships that began with Meredith Corp.

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Walmart began trading on Nasdaq after 53 years on the NYSE, marking its evolution into a tech-driven omnichannel retailer. CEO Doug McMillon cited alignment with Nasdaq’s innovation focus. Recent highlights include 20%+ ecommerce growth, 57% ad revenue growth, AI shopping tools, ChatGPT Instant Checkout integration, and expanded drone delivery.

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Weis Markets is deploying Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions’ Elera security suite across self-checkout lanes in its 199 stores to enhance real-time loss prevention using edge AI. The grocer, led by CIO Greg Zeh, continues expanding its AI stack, which also includes Upshop, SymphonyAI’s CINDE, and Cognira PromoAI.

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White Castle launched its first automated Crave & Go kiosk at Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal A, offering four slider varieties. Developed with Just Baked and Evolvending, the kiosk serves hot sliders in under two minutes, expanding White Castle’s reach into automated, nontraditional retail locations.

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