Retail’s Reality Check

Universal’s Volcano Bay water park at Universal Orlando Resort will go fully cashless starting February 25, 2026, using tap‑to‑pay wristbands and digital wallets. The move reflects a broader Florida trend favoring cashless operations to cut labor and theft costs, as highlighted by IHL Group’s research on cash‑handling expenses.

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CITGO Petroleum Corp. launched CITGO PlusPAY, a mobile Automated Clearing House payment option within the Club CITGO app. The tool enables secure, bank-linked payments, real-time authorization, and loyalty rewards of at least 10 cents per gallon. It delivers faster checkout, lower fees, and avoids credit card costs for retailers and customers.

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Walmart is partnering with Google to train all 1.6 million U.S. and Canadian employees on using AI tools through an eight-hour course. The initiative, emphasizing skills instead of layoffs, highlights that workforce readiness—not software—is the key barrier to AI adoption in corporate and retail environments.

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PYMNTS Intelligence’s February 2026 Agentic AI Report finds that U.S. consumers have shifted from experimenting with AI to relying on it. About half use AI assistants regularly, with “power users” driving activity. These users embed AI deeply into daily workflows, compressing search and decision-making into single conversational interactions.

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California Pizza Kitchen partnered with Axial Shift to replace legacy labor systems with AI-driven tools for scheduling, forecasting, and engagement. The 144-unit brand cut labor variance by over 50%, consolidated multiple platforms, and introduced gamified sales challenges that boosted employee participation and average check size.

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Swensons Drive-In is rolling out Flybuy’s AI-powered location engine across all locations to enhance pickup and delivery operations. Using real-time arrival alerts, automated check-in options, and intelligent item-tagging, Flybuy helps Swensons’ teams reduce wait times, stage orders efficiently, and ensure accurate, high-quality curbside handoffs.

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Irish retailer Maple Group became the first in Ireland to deploy Gander’s AI-powered food waste reduction technology across all seven Donegal stores. Integrated with its Station Master EPoS and back-office systems, the tool boosted sell-through from 30% to 57%, cut waste by 27%, and recovered €13,000 in 2025.

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German fashion and sports retailer Lengermann & Trieschmann (L&T) partnered with Vusion and GK AIR to digitize store operations using Vusion ESway smart hangtags integrated with GK AIR’s AI-powered price optimization platform. The solution automates stock visibility, enables real-time pricing, and provides behavioral insights—winning the 2026 reta award for Smart Store.

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Lidl Ireland marked the rollout of self-checkout technology in its 100th store, Lidl Fonthill, supported by a €10.7 million modernization investment. The retailer reports 55% faster transactions and a 9% rise in customer satisfaction. It’s also investing €2.7 million to upgrade manual tills with new furniture and dual packing areas.

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Exotec has deployed its Skypod robotic system at Berrang Group’s new Ingersheim warehouse in Baden-Württemberg. The system manages over 23,000 bins and 7,000 trays across 12-metre racks, enabling 137 bin movements per hour to meet just-in-time logistics demands in automotive, medical, and industrial supply chains.

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Nuvei is partnering with MediaMarktSaturn to power localized payment experiences across its European online marketplaces. The collaboration leverages Nuvei’s support for methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Wero, BLIK, and Bizum to deliver consistent, flexible payment infrastructure for MediaMarktSaturn’s expanding cross-border digital operations.

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Munro Footwear Group has gone live with Fluent Commerce’s Fluent Order Management system, implemented by Amblique, to enhance inventory management and fulfillment across 240 stores, online channels, and distribution centers. This forms part of MFG’s digital transformation strategy. Fluent Commerce, recently funded A$46M by Bain Capital, adds AI-powered capabilities to support global scalability.

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SOLUM and SPAR International have renewed their preferred supplier agreement for electronic shelf labels and digital signage. SOLUM will provide SPAR’s global network with ESL and E-Paper solutions, including the Newton Core+ and 32” Series, supporting licensed organisations in adopting consistent, high-quality digital retail technologies.

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7‑Eleven Philippines has chosen NCR Voyix to upgrade store technology across 4,500 locations using Voyix PoS on the Voyix Commerce Platform. The retailer will also use NCR Voyix’s professional and managed services to improve operations, deployment efficiency, and security in their first collaboration.

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Nordstrom is using Suplari’s AI-powered procurement intelligence software to consolidate financial systems, analyze supplier spending, and identify risks such as single sourcing. At Manifest 2026, CPO Karoline Dygas highlighted the tool’s spend insights and interest in prescriptive AI. Nordstrom also applies AI in customer service automation and app-based personalization.

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Huck’s Market has deployed Tote’s AI-native, cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform at its flagship Carmi, Ill. store, with a full rollout planned by end of 2026. The system enables faster transactions, real-time associate support, centralized management, and enhanced customer engagement, modernizing operations across the 135-location Midwest convenience chain.

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Gap Inc., parent of Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, launched Encore, a reimagined loyalty program and app offering exclusive products, experiences, and partnerships with Disney, NBCUniversal, and AMC Theatres. Featuring three membership tiers and a new Encore Mastercard with Barclays and Mastercard, Encore integrates fashion, entertainment, and culture-driven rewards.

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National Retail Solutions (NRS) and Krasdale Foods have partnered to equip independent bodegas and small‑format grocers across the Northeast with NRS’s data‑driven POS technology and Krasdale’s grocery distribution network. The collaboration aims to streamline operations, enhance data insights, and boost profitability for local, family‑owned retailers.

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Canadian Tire Corporation is expanding its partnership with Microsoft to launch MOSaiC, a custom retail intelligence platform built on Microsoft Azure and powered by Microsoft AI. MOSaiC analyzes sales, loyalty, and external data to predict customer demand, optimize assortments and promotions, and deliver more personalized retail experiences across Canadian Tire, Mark’s, and SportChek.

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Loblaw Companies Limited announced a collaboration with Google to enable Canadians to shop for health, beauty, and apparel items via AI Mode in Google Search and the Gemini app. Leveraging Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and the new Universal Commerce Protocol, Loblaw aims to advance agentic commerce and expand its AI-native retail transformation.

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Coty is accelerating its AI strategy through partnerships with Microsoft, ServiceNow, and new partner OpenAI to build an integrated AI ecosystem. The tools drive generative content creation, consumer insights, and automation, cutting post-production costs by up to 90% and supporting Coty’s $20M cost-saving initiative and future AI-led operations.

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Ingram Content Group is expanding its partnership with RELEX Solutions to add AI-driven forecasting, capacity optimization, vendor-managed inventory, and assortment planning tools across six global distribution centers. Supported by InfiniteVIU, these enhancements will improve demand prediction, automate planning, and boost holiday season efficiency and customer service.

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ZigZag has partnered with Vinted Go, the logistics arm of Vinted Group, to integrate Vinted Go’s network of over 14,000 out-of-home parcel lockers and shops across France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. This collaboration expands ZigZag’s European reach and enhances convenient, sustainable return options for retailers and consumers.

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Furniture.com has launched a unified digital platform that integrates discovery, comparison, and checkout across multiple furniture retailers. Using AI-driven conversational search, geolocation, and real-time inventory tools, customers can compare products and complete a single-cart, multi-retailer purchase from brands like Rooms To Go, Raymour & Flanigan, and Z Gallerie.

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T&T Supermarket, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, has partnered with Uber Eats, a subsidiary of Uber Technologies Inc., to offer on-demand grocery delivery. Customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario can now order fresh foods, snacks, and beauty products via the Uber Eats app, with Quebec launching soon.

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PYMNTS Intelligence, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions, found in its “2025 Global Digital Shopping Index” that mobile phones now define retail behavior, with 48% of recent purchases involving smartphones. Consumers—especially parents and Gen Z—favor frictionless checkouts, stored credentials, and biometric payments, pressuring merchants to unify mobile and in-store experiences.

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OpenAI has begun testing ads in ChatGPT for U.S. users, partnering with Target, Adobe, Williams-Sonoma, and Albertsons. Target’s Roundel ads appear in chat results, Adobe joined to study trusted ad experiences, Williams-Sonoma tests contextual product promotions, and Albertsons runs personalized holiday-themed ads through OpenAI’s Ad Pilot Program.

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Revieve introduced LiveAR, a real-time skin visualization tool integrated into its Digital Skincare Advisor. Using augmented reality, LiveAR lets users see their skin concerns—like fine lines, pores, and redness—through color-coded overlays that react instantly to movement, lighting, and expressions, creating a personalized, interactive skin analysis experience.

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Nuvei partnered with Quebec fitness brand Nautilus Plus to power its full omnichannel payments across gym locations and its digital platform, Ultime Fit. Replacing a less flexible provider, Nuvei implemented the unified in-gym and online payment solution in just six weeks, streamlining billing, reconciliation, and member onboarding experiences.

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The Salvation Army launched “Thrift Score,” the first digital thrift store inside Roblox, created with BarkleyOKRP and featuring limited-edition items from influencers like @PrestonPlayz and @BriannaPlayz. Integrated into Roblox worlds, the experience promotes thrifting culture and funds the charity’s rehabilitation programs through virtual commerce.

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Ralph Lauren Corp. and Microsoft showcased their 25-year partnership at NRF 2026, highlighting “Ask Ralph,” an AI-powered shopping tool built on Microsoft Azure AI and Copilot Studio. The feature, available in the Ralph Lauren app, delivers personalized style interactions and connects storytelling, technology, and customer engagement in luxury retail.

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BWH Hotels partnered with Canary Technologies to unify its digital guest experience across 4,000 properties. Using Canary’s Guest Management System—including Mobile Pre-Registration, AI Guest Messaging, Dynamic Upsells, Digital Compendium, and Smart Checkout—BWH improved efficiency, satisfaction, and revenue, earning runner-up recognition in the 2025 Hotel Visionary Awards for Guest Experience.

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Choice Hotels partnered with Capacity to replace outdated IVR systems with an Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA) powered by a Central AI Knowledge Layer. The solution automates 97.4% of calls with 100% booking accuracy, reduces escalation errors from 7.6% to 2.6%, and saves the company nearly $2 million in support costs.

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Radisson Hotel Group and Amadeus have integrated API connectivity between Radisson’s EMMA Central Reservation System and the Amadeus Travel Platform. Using AI-driven data mapping, the real-time connection streamlines booking, improves accuracy and efficiency, enhances travel seller access, and modernizes hotel distribution and guest experiences.

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Donatos Pizza debuted its fully autonomous Pepptron pizza vending machine at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The machine uses robotics to prepare, bake, and serve pizzas via QR code. Part of Donatos’ national expansion strategy, Pepptron complements traditional stores with innovative, small-footprint formats for airports, schools, and events.

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Walgreens, Kroger, and Walmart are expanding supply chain automation in 2026. Walgreens added a new robotic micro-fulfillment center in Utah. Kroger is building a $391 million automated distribution hub in Kentucky and deploying Ocado’s AutoFreezer tech in Phoenix. Walmart is scaling Wiliot IoT Pixel devices for real-time pallet tracking across 4,600 stores and 40 distribution centers.

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Crypto ATMs now number over 40,000 globally, spanning grocery, gas, and convenience stores. As the market matures, consolidation favors larger operators with stronger compliance, consumer protection, and reliability standards. Retailers benefit from added foot traffic, while evolving regulations and fraud safeguards reshape how kiosks function within everyday retail environments.

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Gant has appointed IMPACT Commerce as its digital commerce partner to unify loyalty, CRM, content, and in-store systems using a composable setup with Salesforce, Contentful, Mastercard Dynamic Yield, Cegid, and Ingrid. Meanwhile, Emelie Hesse joined Gant as Interim IT Solutions Director after leaving ICA Gruppen.

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Amazon is launching Amazon Integrations, a program enabling it to self-install AutoStore systems starting in 2027. The move deepens Amazon’s vertical integration and collaboration with AutoStore. Brittain Ladd reports Amazon’s new Orbital fulfillment system, test sites in Chicago and Frisco, and Element Logic’s role installing AutoStore tech alongside Berkshire Grey and Symbotic solutions.

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Kroger and CVS Pharmacy are digitizing in-store end caps, adding dynamic screens to enhance their retail media networks. CVS Media Exchange uses them for educational and promotional content across 600 stores, while Kroger partners with Barrows Connected Store for sensor-equipped displays measuring engagement, blending digital ads with physical merchandising to boost shopper interaction and brand reach.

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Gusto Italian Grill & Bar in Atlantic Canada replaced its outdated POS with Toast’s platform, including its KDS and handheld POS tools. The switch boosted efficiency with 30% faster table turnover, 40% shorter ticket times, better kitchen workflow, improved guest experiences, and actionable real-time insights for data-driven operations.

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Do it Best Corp replaced fragmented Excel and legacy CRM/Access tools with Ragic’s no-code, spreadsheet-like database to centralize global store design data, automate reporting, and enable self-service changes without IT, improving collaboration, search, expense tracking, and analytics for 30+ daily users.

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James Hall & Co. Ltd, the primary distributor for SPAR in Northern England, has chosen RELEX Solutions to provide unified forecasting and replenishment across its Preston distribution centre and SPAR stores. The RELEX platform will automate planning for ambient, fresh, and frozen categories to enhance responsiveness and operational efficiency.

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AI adoption in APAC grocery retail is accelerating, moving from pilots to daily operations. Lawson and CloudPick advanced cashierless “Lawson Go” stores, while Coop Sapporo uses Soracom’s Sora-cam for stock control. Vendors like Fainders.AI drive autonomous formats, as agentic AI emerges to plan meals, build carts, and personalize grocery experiences.

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Relay, owned by Lagardère Travel Retail, partnered with Vusion to launch its first Australian store at Sydney Airport using Vusion electronic shelf labels and VusionCloud for real‑time pricing and efficiency gains. Separately, Carrefour chose Vusion to digitalize its French stores by 2030, ending Pricer’s exclusivity as ESL supplier.

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Walmart launched Scintilla In-Store, a new app extending its Scintilla supplier data platform. Built from Volt Systems technology, it gives supplier field reps real-time visibility, actionable metrics, and task tools to reduce out-of-stocks, streamline execution, and enhance inventory accuracy across stores for a better omnichannel experience.

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