Retail Reality Check

Zara, under INDITEX, leverages AI to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. Collaborations include Jetlore for consumer behavior mapping, Tyco for inventory visibility via RFID microchips, and Intel with Fetch Robotics for stock optimization. AI robots also power Zara’s BOPIS system, boosting efficiency, satisfaction, and profitability.

Full Article ›

The Save Mart Companies partnered with Amazon to launch return kiosks across 140 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada, expanding chainwide by February 2026. The kiosks enable label- and box-free Amazon returns, with a $5 in-store discount incentive for participating customers.

Full Article ›

Sierra has partnered with online fashion retailer Asos to deploy AI customer service agents that enhance its customer experience across channels. Sierra, founded by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, recently raised $350 million at a $10 billion valuation, led by Greenoaks, to scale these agents used for tasks from refinancing to tech support.

Full Article ›

Tractor Supply, ranked No. 1 large company on Computerworld’s 2026 Best Places to Work in IT list, drives innovation through training, hackathons, and AI adoption. Its IT team uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise to build custom GPT tools like Cloud Cost Optimizer and Emergency Community Response, cutting cloud costs by 20%.

Full Article ›

Buddy’s bar-b-q partnered with COMO to launch a loyalty app and omnichannel messaging that boosts customer engagement across mobile ordering, SMS, and email. The program drives rewards-based visits, streamlined pickup, and tailored promotions for East Tennessee guests.

Full Article ›

Currys has partnered with Stripe to install thousands of Stripe payment terminals across nearly 300 UK and Ireland stores, enhancing its store transformation program. The retailer also teamed with Pennies to enable micro-donations via Stripe terminals, integrating charitable giving with AI-assisted shopping and next-gen payment innovation.

Full Article ›

Deliverect launched its AI Agent Library, built with n8n, to automate restaurant operations through plug-and-play AI agents. Piloted by KFC Netherlands, the tool delivered a 118% sales uplift via a fully automated promotion. The library connects to POS, CRM, and marketing data for real-time optimization and scalable deployment.

Full Article ›

Rossmann is expanding into Switzerland with longtime partner Diebold Nixdorf providing managed services via its eServices portal plus self-checkout and POS systems, leveraging a German store IT blueprint that already supports 2,350 locations and now underpins future European growth.

Full Article ›

Decathlon uses RAIN RFID technology to digitize and streamline its global supply chain across 1,817 stores in 79 countries. Every product carries a GS1-standard RAIN RFID tag, enabling real-time tracking, seamless checkout, counterfeit prevention, and sustainability initiatives while enhancing logistics, customer experiences, and inventory transparency.

Full Article ›

Mars Wrigley partnered with EPAM and Google Cloud to measure in-flight media effectiveness using the Google Cloud Cortex Framework. By integrating retailer sales and media data in BigQuery and applying BQML tools, Mars Wrigley gained real-time insights into incremental sales lift, enabling agile audience testing and optimized ad spending.

Full Article ›

Luxury fashion brand Longchamp uses YOOBIC’s AI-powered retail operations platform, including the NeoCreator generative AI tool and SmartQuizzes, to streamline staff training, boost engagement, and ensure global brand consistency. The collaboration saves 10 hours weekly, enhances execution speed, and fosters a connected, high-performing retail workforce.

Full Article ›

Lowe’s modernized its 1,700-store retail network through a seven-year transformation, rebuilding its POS, cloud, and data infrastructure. Partnering with Acceldata, Lowe’s adopted a hybrid AI model using Google Cloud, on-prem data centers, and edge GPUs. Its AI Transformation Office governs ROI-driven use cases through its “Lighthouse” evaluation framework.

Full Article ›

Pandora launched two AI agents — Clara and Gemma — to enhance service and sales. Clara, an AI chatbot, now resolves 60% of customer inquiries and boosted Net Promoter Scores by 10%. Gemma, tested in Australia, replicates in-store selling online through conversational AI, aiming to scale Pandora’s emotional, experience-driven jewelry sales.

Full Article ›

Dema has signed British luxury streetwear brand Represent as a customer for its AI-powered commerce intelligence platform, enabling deeper analysis of customer cohorts, channel impact and causal growth drivers to link marketing, product and customer behaviour to revenue and profit over time.

Full Article ›

Sharjah Coop has signed a strategic deal to deploy the LEAFIO AI Retail Platform across its stores, using AI to automate merchandising, planograms and inventory while enabling real-time, data-driven decisions. The retailer aims to enhance space utilisation, operational consistency and customer experience through LEAFIO’s globally adopted AI-powered tools.

Full Article ›

SPREEAI partnered with designer Sergio Hudson to integrate SPREEAI’s AI-powered photorealistic try-on and Smart Sizing tools into Hudson’s online store. The collaboration merges couture craftsmanship with AI technology to deliver personalized, inclusive, and immersive luxury shopping experiences for consumers in the U.S.

Full Article ›

Disney has signed a three-year licensing and investment agreement with OpenAI, becoming the first major content partner for Sora, OpenAI’s generative video platform. Disney will use Sora and ChatGPT APIs to create new Disney+ experiences, invest $1 billion in OpenAI, and jointly promote responsible, creator-respecting AI innovation.

Full Article ›

Shoppable video is reshaping digital advertising by merging content and commerce through interactive formats like overlays and QR codes. IAB and Innovid highlight rising engagement and AI-driven shopping behaviors, while IAB Tech Lab’s “Ad Format Hero” advances standardization. Despite growing adoption, fragmentation across CTV and retail media networks remains a key challenge to scalable outcomes.

Full Article ›