Retail’s Reality Check

Aetrex’s FitAI technology surpassed 2 million footwear recommendations across 500+ retail locations. Used by ASICS, PUMA, DSW, and Fit2Run, the AI and 3D foot-scanning solution matches shoppers’ scans with its SmartLast® shoe database to deliver precise fit suggestions, boost engagement, and enhance omnichannel retail performance.

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VenHub Global is partnering with Circa Resort & Casino to launch a 66-foot autonomous smart store installation this spring. Using VenHub’s proprietary robotics and AI platform, three fully autonomous smart stores will operate as a single, branded, 24/7 retail attraction offering food, drinks, alcohol, and tobacco to Circa guests.

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Colruyt Group is expanding its smart cart self-scanning trolleys to Belgian stores in Kessel-Lo and Waterloo after a launch in Halle. The retailer also selected NCR Voyix’s unified Commerce Platform to replace its current system, improving efficiency, budgeting control, and customer shopping experiences.

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Costco is partnering with ad tech firm Moloco to enhance its Costco Velocity retail media network using Moloco’s deep learning and machine learning tools. The collaboration will power “Reserved Display” personalized ad placements — or “digital endcaps” — on Costco.com, optimizing ads for real sales and shopper relevance across omnichannel journeys.

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Domino’s Pizza has upgraded its iconic Tracker tool with AI-driven enhancements powered by its proprietary DomOS system. The new Tracker uses machine learning and real-time store inputs to deliver more precise order times, Live Activities for iPhone lock-screen tracking, simplified order stages, and detailed GPS driver tracking for an improved customer experience.

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DoorDash is expanding its in-house autonomous delivery system, rolling out “Dot,” its AI-powered electric robot built with Sonic Manufacturing Technologies, to Fremont, Calif. Following pilots in Arizona, Dot joins DoorDash’s multimodal strategy, which includes robots from Coco Robotics and Wing drones used for Wendy’s and DashMart deliveries.

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Emma Sleep, the world’s largest D2C sleep brand, is adopting RELEX Solutions’ AI-driven platform to optimize forecasting, replenishment, and purchasing across its D2C, wholesale, and retail channels, with Wysupp supporting implementation. The rollout includes RELEX Diagnostics to automate analytics, improve availability, and free teams for higher-value strategic work.

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FedEx launched its SameDay Local service with OneRail, connecting customers to over 1,000 delivery providers for two-hour or end-of-day delivery. OneRail’s AI-powered last-mile platform handles routing and provider selection, offering near-real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and 24/7 monitoring for enhanced delivery speed and reliability.

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Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, and Champs Sports are now offering on-demand delivery through DoorDash, marking Foot Locker’s first third-party delivery expansion since its 2025 acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Customers can order via DashPass and enjoy limited-time launch discounts on eligible purchases through March 22, 2026.

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Exotec has launched its multi-site Skyfleet robotics program for Decathlon across seven logistics platforms in France, the UK, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. Using Skypod robots and automated tools like depalletisers and RFID tunnels, the rollout standardises replenishment, doubles site throughput, and drastically improves efficiency and safety for warehouse teams.

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Friar Tux, a 50-year-old formalwear retailer with showrooms across California and Nevada, launched an AI-powered virtual try-on tool that lets customers upload photos to see personalized suit and tuxedo renderings within 30 seconds. Developed with an AI technology partner, the tool enhances online visualization, supports wedding planning, and expands nationwide reach.

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Zara has launched an AI-powered sizing and fit tool that creates a digital avatar from user photos to recommend clothing sizes. Despite slightly idealized avatars, the sizing proved impressively accurate in real tests. The sleek app also integrates Relay for live delivery tracking and offers recycled packaging options.

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Gap will become the first major fashion retailer to enable direct checkout within Google’s Gemini AI platform. Using Gemini’s Universal Commerce Protocol and Google Pay, shoppers can buy from Gap’s brands without leaving the chat. Gap will also deploy Bold Metrics, an AI sizing tool, to enhance online fit accuracy.

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Google expanded its Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard for agentic AI-based shopping, with new catalog and identity linking features for real-time product access and loyalty integration. Retailers like Walmart, Wayfair, Shopify, and Target co-developed UCP, with adopters such as Stripe, Salesforce, and Commerce Inc. planning implementation.

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Vusion partnered with INTERSPAR, a SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels subsidiary, to deploy its AI-powered digitalisation platform and electronic shelf labels across INTERSPAR and Maximarkt stores in Austria. The system centralises pricing and promotions, uses four-colour ESLs for clear shelf communication, and improves operational efficiency and customer trust.

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Henkel is consolidating its North American R&D operations into a new Center of Research & Development in Trumbull, its largest non-manufacturing investment in a decade. The facility will feature AI, automation, machine learning, and digital twin technologies to enhance predictive modeling and product optimization across hair, skin, fabric, and surface categories.

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Home Depot has launched an upgraded digital dashboard for its Pro Xtra loyalty program members, offering project management tools such as enhanced purchase history, shared access permissions, and direct collaboration with Home Depot Pro teams. The platform complements recent initiatives like Material List Builder AI, Blueprint Takeoffs, and real-time delivery tracking.

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Everlane uses AI-powered fraud prevention tools from Yofi and Happy Returns to combat return abuse. Yofi’s risk scoring identifies suspicious return patterns, stopping $30,000–$40,000 in fraudulent returns monthly, while Happy Returns’ Return Vision computer vision tool confirms 18% of flagged returns as fraudulent, preventing about $240 in losses per case.

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Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania implemented Satisfi Labs’ AI-powered conversational agent to deliver instant, around-the-clock guest support. The solution resolves 98% of inquiries automatically and handles 59% outside business hours, streamlining campground questions and boosting customer satisfaction while freeing staff for more complex interactions.

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Sam’s Club has launched a Creator platform that lets members earn money by sharing content and product recommendations, expanding on Walmart’s Walmart Creator tool. Unlike typical influencer programs, only paid club members can participate, emphasizing co-creation and trust to shape product offerings and deepen member engagement.

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Sonesta Hotels upgraded door locks across 86 properties, replacing aging magstripe systems with Vingcard RFID locks managed through the Visionline platform. Overseen entirely by Sonesta’s internal IT PMO, the rollout improved security, reduced front desk workload 20%, enhanced guest satisfaction, and built a scalable framework for future smart room integrations.

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Stripe and Tempo launched the Machine Payments Protocol (MPP), an open standard for AI agents to make automated payments. Using Stripe’s PaymentIntents API and Shared Payment Tokens, businesses like Browserbase, PostalForm, Prospect Butcher Co., and Parallel Web Systems now enable agents to transact autonomously using fiat or stablecoins.

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Spanish textile technology firm Jeanologia has launched “Billy,” an AI-powered denim design tool that turns garment images into production-ready laser designs within minutes. Trained on 9,000 historical patterns, Billy streamlines denim creation, automates technical work, and enhances designers’ creativity while supporting Jeanologia’s eco-efficient innovation goals.

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Just Eat Takeaway.com is partnering with Amazon’s new generative AI assistant, Alexa+, to let UK customers order from over 100,000 partner brands using voice commands on Alexa-enabled devices. The collaboration expands Just Eat’s voice ordering feature, launching in 2026 to enhance convenience and order personalization.

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Kingfisher has partnered with Google Cloud in a multi-year deal to enhance online shopping at B&Q, Castorama, and Brico Dépôt. The retailer will use Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Search for Commerce to develop agentic AI shopping assistants, enabling personalized, conversational shopping and deeper use of its product and data catalogues.

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Kroger is partnering with Fulfil to pilot an automated micro-fulfillment solution at a West Coast store and is in talks with Blue Collar Robotics to deploy teleoperated picking robots for grocery fulfillment and shelf replenishment. The move aims to rival Amazon, Walmart, and H-E-B’s advanced automation initiatives.

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Kroger’s retail media arm, Kroger Precision Marketing, partnered with Google to integrate SKU-level conversion reporting on YouTube through Google’s Display & Video 360 platform. The collaboration enables advertisers to reach Kroger audiences, track retail sales, and harmonize brand and performance campaigns across YouTube, display, and connected TV.

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Lowe’s launched HomeCare+, a $99-per-year subscription service for MyLowe’s Rewards members that offers seven in-home maintenance services, including HVAC filter replacement and garage door lubrication. The program, available to most U.S. homes, leverages Lowe’s associate expertise to strengthen loyalty and complements its growing AI-enabled Pro tools.

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Marks & Spencer is rolling out 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences to store managers and support centre staff, expanding its partnership with Microsoft. The AI and Agentic AI tools will streamline data access, automate analysis, and enhance decision-making, freeing employees to focus on customers and in-store operations.

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METRO has chosen RELEX Solutions’ AI-driven forecasting and replenishment platform, working with Accenture, to support its Ultra Fresh initiative across 540 stores and 70 DCs, improving fresh food availability, inventory automation, sustainability, and operational efficiency for its wholesale customers.

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NuORDER by Lightspeed partnered with Nordic digital retailer Boozt to streamline its buying operations using NuORDER’s centralized platform. The integration replaces manual spreadsheets with connected assortments, orders, and product data, boosting transparency, enabling smarter assortment decisions, and supporting NuORDER’s continued European market expansion.

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Oracle used Crosstalk 2026 to pitch a unified consumer industries platform spanning retail, restaurants, and hospitality, anchored by Fusion ERP, Oracle Retail Cloud (MFCS, Xstore, loyalty), and the new Oracle Retail Marketplace. Customer stories from Kroger, Vans/VF, Mr Price, Casey’s, Hot Topic, Gorilla Glue, and others highlighted data governance, embedded AI (predictive, generative, agentic), and measurable gains in revenue, speed, and tech-debt reduction, with Accenture, Deloitte, Capgemini, Infosys, KPMG, Retail Consult, Wipro, Elo, and Adyen as key partners.

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Hardis Supply Chain is partnering with jewellery retailer Pandora to modernise and standardise its warehouse management system (WMS) globally. Using Hardis’ configurable WMS platform, Pandora aims to support its wider ERP, TMS, and visibility transformation, enhancing scalability and efficiency across facilities in Europe, Thailand, and North America.

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Peet’s Coffee is partnering with SoundHound AI to roll out its Employee Assist “BaristAI” across U.S. stores. The voice AI tool gives baristas hands-free, real-time answers via headset or tablet for recipe, nutrition, and operations questions, aiming to boost efficiency and reduce training time.

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Pegasus TransTech is rolling out Transflo Express self-service scan kiosks at selected Pilot Travel Centers, alongside existing cashier-assisted scanning, giving truck drivers 24/7 options to self-scan and transmit delivery documents. The extended 10-year Pilot agreement supports faster billing and payroll, lower fleet costs, and improved driver satisfaction.

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Puma is launching its multilingual “AI Store Concierge” at its Las Vegas flagship in spring 2026. Built with LiveX.AI and Google Cloud and powered by Nvidia’s Nemotron agentic AI, the tool provides real-time product, fit, and inventory information, linking conversationally with store associates for personalized shopper support.

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Redner’s Markets has deployed the RSA America unified platform to integrate loyalty, digital coupons, e-commerce, catering, and made-to-order services. The system powers its new mobile app across 68 stores, enabling personalized offers, online ordering, and data-driven promotions to boost shopper engagement and unify digital and in-store experiences.

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Staples officially partnered with TikTok creator Kaeden Rowland, known as the “Staples Baddie,” after her viral videos showcased the brand’s services creatively. Her first sponsored post achieved a 44.16% engagement rate and $236,651 in media value, according to Sprout Social. Staples’ approach highlights smart use of social intelligence.

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Sally Beauty has launched a TikTok Shop storefront, offering over 1,000 private and national brand products with pricing aligned to its main e-commerce site. Orders ship from its distribution centers via FedEx. The move expands its digital reach following strong online growth and partnerships with Amazon and Uber Eats.

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Corvus Robotics and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits are expanding deployment of the Corvus One autonomous drone inventory system, now using over 40 drones across nine US distribution centers for high-frequency, hands-free inventory audits that integrate with Southern Glazer’s WMS, improve accuracy, and free teams for higher-value work.

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Maison Solutions Inc., operator of HK Good Fortune and Lee Lee International Supermarket, will use AI-driven systems to modernize store operations and supply chain management in its high-performing California and Arizona locations. The retailer's “Quality over Quantity” strategy boosted margins and profits despite lower revenue following store closures.

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Taco Bamba launched a new mobile app and loyalty program, Bamba Nation, powered by Thanx. The custom-built platform mirrors the brand’s bold personality, rewarding customers with “Bamba Bucks” redeemable for free menu items, merch, and exclusive offers through tiered levels from Bamba Curious to Bamba Ultra.

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Chicago seafood retailer The Fish Guy launched an integrated ecommerce platform powered by eGrowcery and Square. eGrowcery customized its white-label system for online ordering and fulfillment, while Square provided payment and POS technology, streamlining order management, processing, and customer convenience for the retailer’s digital operations.

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The Pancake Parlour has adopted Square’s unified commerce platform across its 13 Australian restaurants to modernize operations and support future growth. Using Square Register, Terminal, handhelds, and Kitchen Display System, the brand streamlined front- and back-of-house workflows, cut POS training time by more than half, and gained real-time reporting insights.

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Town Pump Inc. is partnering with Russo Modular to launch 400-square-foot Stonehouse Coffee Shots kiosks at high-traffic Montana locations. The modular units, featuring Altro flooring and dual espresso machines, offer a drive-thru coffee experience. Russo developed a new gable roof design for these kiosks, enabling quick, scalable deployment.

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Walmart debuted a new ChatGPT shopping experience powered by its AI commerce agent Sparky, enabling discovery-to-purchase journeys with account, loyalty, and payment integration. OpenAI expanded its Agentic Commerce Protocol—with retailers like Target, Sephora, and Best Buy—to enhance product discovery, while merchants handle checkout via systems like Salesforce and Stripe.

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Walmart is expanding its Walmart Connect retail media network through Vizio’s connected TV platform, enabling advertisers to reach customers via streaming content. Following Walmart’s 2024 Vizio acquisition, L’Oréal is debuting product placements across Vizio OS using Walmart’s first-party insights to drive seamless, shoppable omnichannel experiences.

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Walmart has secured two U.S. patents for machine-learning–driven pricing tools: one automates eCommerce markdowns and the other predicts demand to recommend prices, which Walmart stresses support human decisions rather than surge or dynamic pricing. The retailer is also rolling out digital shelf labels chainwide and expanding its Scintilla In-Store data insights platform and AI-powered associate tools to reduce out-of-stocks, synchronize omnichannel pricing and streamline in-store execution for suppliers and employees.

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Walmart is expanding into wearable tech by rolling out EyeFly smart audio glasses to over 2,000 Vision Centers. The Bluetooth-enabled eyewear allows music, calls, and navigation without earbuds. Walmart also sells EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio Glasses and offers virtual try-on tools via its app and website.

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White Elephant Resorts earned the 2025 Hotel Visionary Award in Guestroom Technology for integrating X1 for Hospitality, Lutron smart lighting, and MachineQ LoRaWAN sensors. This unified system delivers personalized, anticipatory automation that boosts guest satisfaction by 27%, reduces service calls by 43%, and cuts energy use by 19%.

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Zalando is expanding its partnership with Nomagic to deploy up to 50 AI-driven “Richard” robots across European fulfilment centres. Using Nomagic’s AI and computer vision, the robots perform item-level picking and scanning, including complex tasks like handling shoeboxes, significantly boosting automation and efficiency in Zalando’s logistics network.

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