Retail’s Reality Check

Chefs’ Warehouse, a specialty food distributor, selected RELEX Solutions to unify demand planning and replenishment across its 49 distribution centers, targeting improved availability and reduced waste in fresh food. With 88,000+ SKUs, RELEX will centralize allocation governance and model hub-and-spoke networks to sustain growth.

Full Article ›

Shipley Donuts is rolling out an AI-powered ordering assistant on its refreshed site to tailor recommendations for individuals and groups, powered by Saivory. The system learns from guest orders to boost personalization and average order value, including catering needs, with rapid adoption in a fast-expanding store footprint.

Full Article ›

Pacsun is deploying Manhattan Associates’ Active POS cloud-native solution across 300 stores, enabling mobile checkout and RFID-based inventory for unified commerce. The system supports social fulfillment on Instagram, Amazon, TikTok, and Pacsun channels, turning store data into seamless in-store and online transactions and reducing logistics costs by 25%.

Full Article ›

BMW Group partnered with AWS Partner Storm Reply to automate migration of 10,000 business intelligence dashboards to Amazon Web Services. Using Amazon Bedrock, Amazon QuickSight, and Amazon Q, Storm Reply’s generative AI solution reduced migration time from 7–10 days to hours, accelerating BMW’s cloud transformation and enhancing data visualization.

Full Article ›

Nomade Tulum and BE Tulum, operated by Nomade People, have implemented Shiji’s cloud-based Infrasys POS across seven outlets to boost service efficiency and integration with property systems. The upgrade enhances guest experiences and operational speed, with expansion planned to new Nomade People properties in Spain.

Full Article ›

Playa Bowls selected SynergySuite as its AI-powered back-of-house technology partner to streamline operations and support national growth. The platform enhances food and labor management, automates inventory and purchasing, and unifies data. Playa Bowls praised SynergySuite’s project managers for expertly managing integration and pilot launches.

Full Article ›

FiiZ Drinks, with over 70 locations and plans to reach 400 outlets by 2027, has partnered with SynergySuite to deploy its AI-powered back-of-house platform. FiiZ will use SynergySuite to streamline inventory, labor scheduling, purchasing, and operational insights, supporting rapid nationwide franchise growth and operational consistency.

Full Article ›

Essity is partnering with Accenture and Microsoft in a multi-year effort to accelerate its AI adoption. Using Microsoft Azure, Copilot Studio, and Power Platform, Accenture will help develop a cloud-based platform to enhance procurement and finance operations, later scaling AI across Essity’s broader business processes.

Full Article ›

TGI Fridays will implement Toast’s restaurant technology—including its PoS platform, Multi-Location Management, Mobile Order & Pay, Toast Go handhelds, and Kitchen Display Systems—across all US locations. Additional Toast offerings like Catering Pro, Waitlist, and Kiosk may be added, aiming to enhance efficiency and guest experience.

Full Article ›

Costa Rica’s Megasuper is the first retailer in Central America and the Caribbean to deploy Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions’ ELERA Produce Recognition system, enhancing its existing MxP Self-Checkout kiosks. The AI-driven tool identifies produce instantly, speeding checkout, improving accuracy, and reinforcing Megasuper’s innovation-focused customer experience strategy.

Full Article ›

The White Company partners with Zapp to offer its most popular products via fast home delivery, available 24/7 through Zapp's app and luxury-focused Zapp Boutique. Zapp launches Zapp+, a subscription service featuring 10% credit back on orders over £30 and free delivery for £4.99/month, aiming to simplify Christmas shopping.

Full Article ›

Levy Merchandising and Wolves partnered to open a pop-up store at the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, using Amazon's Just Walk Out technology. Wolves became the first Premier League club to offer this frictionless retail experience, letting fans shop for merchandise and pay automatically—without queues—during a match day weekend.

Full Article ›

Giant Eagle has expanded its partnership with Upside, launching Upside Pay across all stores to offer shoppers instant cash back at checkout without receipt uploads. The new feature lets customers apply cash-back balances directly at the register, boosting loyalty and sales. Upside Pay is part of Upside’s growing marketplace, supporting over 100,000 businesses.

Full Article ›

David Jones has launched its new loyalty program, David Jones Rewards, in partnership with Qantas Frequent Flyer. The program allows members to earn either Rewards Points or Qantas Points, with bonus points for David Jones Credit Card purchases and tiered benefits based on annual spending.

Full Article ›

BMW Group expanded its AWS-powered Cloud Data Hub to unify knowledge sharing across 6,400 data assets and 2,000 use cases. Using Amazon QuickSight, Athena, Glue, and Lake Formation, dashboards now serve as governed, discoverable data products—streamlining collaboration, boosting insight accessibility, and growing QuickSight adoption by 197.9% in one year.

Full Article ›

Tesco is trialling push-on trolley scales and enhanced shopping lists for its Scan as You Shop customers at its Gateshead Extra store. The technology verifies scanned items by weight, reducing errors, shrinkage, and queues, while the Tesco app’s synced lists improve in-store navigation, stock accuracy, and personalised shopping.

Full Article ›

Associated Food Stores (AFS) is deploying Instacart’s white label e-commerce solutions, Storefront and Storefront Pro, across its five owned and over 40 member-owned banners in the Intermountain West. The rollout includes features like same-day delivery, pickup, automated marketing, and access to Instacart’s app for store associates.

Full Article ›

Scandit and IHL Group’s research shows retailers using hybrid data capture tools—like autonomous robots, fixed cameras, and mobile devices—are 136% more likely to sustain profitability leadership. Shelf intelligence solutions improve inventory accuracy, on-shelf availability, and customer satisfaction, becoming a strategic imperative across global retail segments.

Full Article ›

PepsiCo and Fractal Analytics launched AI-powered smart packaging technology that uses IoT sensors, computer vision, and real-time data to automate and optimize manufacturing lines. The solution improves throughput, reduces waste, and enhances sustainability, now scaling globally across PepsiCo’s packaging sites after a successful Latin American pilot.

Full Article ›

Riesbeck’s Food Markets partnered with eGrowcery to launch a new eCommerce platform featuring online shopping, pickup, and delivery. The eGrowcery system enhances digital convenience, integrates with store tech, and helps the Ohio/West Virginia grocer drive higher sales and improved workflows across its 17 locations.

Full Article ›

Sweetgreen has opened its first Infinite Kitchen sweetlane location in Costa Mesa, CA, featuring a drive-up lane for digital orders and in-store dining. The restaurant leverages Sweetgreen’s proprietary Infinite Kitchen technology and app for efficient order pickup, and introduces a new macronutrient tracking tool for personalized nutrition.

Full Article ›

Home Bargains has partnered with Evolve Business Group to modernize network infrastructure across 650 UK stores, consolidating legacy systems for payments and CCTV into a single managed solution. Evolve’s 24/7 technical support now oversees operations, enhancing reliability and scalability as Home Bargains targets 1,000 stores nationwide.

Full Article ›

Upshop has expanded its partnership with SPAR International, integrating its Recipe Management solution alongside existing Date Checking and Markdown tools. This expansion enables SPAR retailers to centralize and digitize recipes, ensuring consistent fresh food quality, compliance, and real-time ingredient visibility across global stores.

Full Article ›

Zebra Technologies’ 18th Annual Global Shopper Study highlights Gen AI, computer vision, RFID, and automation as essential loss prevention and inventory tools for retailers. Survey data shows rising in-store satisfaction, but challenges with out-of-stocks and associate support persist. Technology adoption boosts operational excellence, profitability, and shopper loyalty.

Full Article ›

Chick-fil-A’s innovation arm, Red Wagon Ventures, launched an automated, temperature-controlled vending machine in a Georgia medical center offering cold favorites like Cool Wraps and Waffle Potato Chips. They also debuted Daybright, a beverage-focused concept with specialty coffees and made-on-site food, featuring a dual drive-thru in Hiram, Georgia. These moves position Chick-fil-A competitively against Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Dutch Bros in the growing beverage space.

Full Article ›

Refundly, an AI-powered iOS app, helps users track and manage online returns and refunds across all U.S. retailers by scanning email receipts and monitoring reimbursement status. Co-founded by Lindsay and Mark Goffman, the startup—part of the Google Cloud program—plans to add retailer engagement tools and personalized promotions soon.

Full Article ›

PepsiCo teamed with Infosys to deliver an AI-powered digital transformation through a unified Sales+ platform, streamlining over 40 standalone apps into a cloud-native, mobile-first system that supports 500,000 weekly store visits. The platform integrates Gen AI for real-time insights, predictive automation, and sustainability benefits, enhancing operational agility and productivity. This transformation supports PepsiCo Foods North America's Direct-to-Store Delivery model and is part of a 25-year partnership with Infosys.

Full Article ›

Marks and Spencer has expanded its partnership with Zalando, leveraging ZEOS—the fashion platform’s B2B logistics unit—to manage its entire direct-to-consumer online operation across 21 European markets. The agreement uses ZEOS’s order management system and logistics infrastructure to consolidate Fashion, Home, and Beauty stock, aiming to cut delivery times by up to three days, simplify returns, and reduce logistics costs by up to half.

Full Article ›

Wildberries is piloting drone deliveries from its logistics center to pickup points in St. Petersburg with support from the local Transport Committee using a certified domestic unmanned aircraft system. The retailer also uses automated ground vehicles, robotic grippers, and AI-powered tools to accelerate order processing and enhance customer and seller experiences.

Full Article ›

Just Eat Go has announced a new partnership with Tesco to power rapid delivery through Tesco's on-demand service Whoosh, as well as One Stop and Booker’s Premier brand. This partnership enables faster fulfillment ahead of the festive season by leveraging Just Eat Go’s logistics network. Tesco Whoosh offers delivery of over 3,000 products within 45 minutes in parts of Ireland and across the UK, accessible via the Tesco app or website, with deliveries powered by Deliveroo.

Full Article ›

StrongPoint is expanding its partnership with Swedish retailer EKO by rolling out its cloud-based ShopFlow Logistics solution in all 16 EKO hypermarkets during 2026. The platform manages inventory, stocktaking, orders, and waste with real-time updates, improving stock accuracy and customer service. EKO chose StrongPoint for its reliable, efficient, and all-in-one logistics solution, extending their collaboration from CashGuard to include ShopFlow Logistics.

Full Article ›

BMW will integrate Amazon’s new Alexa+ architecture into its vehicles, enhancing its BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with generative and agentic AI via Amazon Bedrock on AWS. The Alexa+ system enables natural conversations, API connectivity, and seamless access to services like Uber, GrubHub, and Whole Foods Market.

Full Article ›

Amazon Ads expanded its retail media network by integrating iHeartMedia’s streaming audio portfolio into its AI-powered Amazon DSP. Advertisers can now extend omnichannel campaigns across iHeart’s music, live radio, and podcasts, streamlining audience targeting, campaign management, and measurement across connected devices.

Full Article ›

Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative, is deploying Afresh’s AI-driven Fresh Buying solution to optimize forecasting, vendor selection, and issue resolution across fresh categories. Wakefern also uses Birdzi and Visper AI tools for personalized marketing and expands shelf-scanning robots at its ShopRite stores.

Full Article ›

BWH Hotels launched AutoClerk Atlas, a property management system built with HotelKey technology. CTO Bill Ryan described the “blend” approach—owning guest-facing innovation while partnering on foundational tech. Atlas integrates loyalty functions, uses AI for insights, and features TrainKey for real-time staff training and faster onboarding.

Full Article ›

Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a six-year exclusive agreement with NCR Voyix Corp, extending their partnership of over 25 years. Chipotle is the first customer to deploy NCR Voyix's next-generation Aloha point-of-sale system, which is built on a dual-cloud, edge-enabled microservices architecture. This rollout spans 4,000 Chipotle restaurants globally and exemplifies NCR Voyix's leadership in cloud-native restaurant technology.

Full Article ›

Five Guys International is using a new integration between Deliverect and Flybuy to improve order handling and delivery times. The partnership connects Deliverect’s order management system with Flybuy’s AI-powered location technology, giving restaurants real-time visibility into customer and delivery arrivals to boost efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Full Article ›

Palmetto Moon, a Southern lifestyle retailer, has implemented Made4net's cloud-based WarehouseExpert™ WMS to enhance its distribution center operations. This system supports omnichannel fulfillment for over 50 stores and e-commerce, improving efficiency, inventory accuracy, and scalability while preparing for future automation.

Full Article ›

Amazon Pharmacy is launching prescription pickup kiosks in select Los Angeles One Medical clinics starting December 2025. Patients can pick up common medications immediately after appointments by paying through the Amazon app and scanning a QR code at the kiosk. Pharmacists are available remotely for consultations.

Full Article ›

Mera Tiernahrung GmbH (Mera Petfood), a German family-owned premium pet food maker, chose RELEX Solutions’ AI-powered platform to unify demand planning, master planning, and production scheduling. The collaboration aims to improve forecast accuracy, streamline operations, and enhance cross-departmental collaboration for global efficiency and growth.

Full Article ›

Swiss retailer and distributor Brack.Alltron, operating brands like Brack and Alltron, selected RELEX Solutions’ AI-driven platform—implemented by Wysupp—to automate forecasting and unified supply chain planning. The initiative aims to boost efficiency, reduce manual purchasing tasks, and enhance customer experience through scalable, data-driven optimization.

Full Article ›

Pizza World rolled out a unified restaurant management platform across 14 locations in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Florida, with plans for 26 by 2026. The system streamlines ordering, loyalty, delivery, and scheduling, improving training times, delivery accountability, and marketing through integrated email, SMS, and push tools.

Full Article ›

Hibbett Inc. has added Affirm and Afterpay to its flexible payment options alongside Klarna for in-store and online purchases. These Buy Now, Pay Later services let qualified shoppers split payments into interest-free installments, enhancing convenience for holiday shoppers nationwide. Hibbett operates over 1,000 stores in 36 states.

Full Article ›

1-800-Flowers.com has partnered with DoorDash to offer on-demand flower delivery from nearly 700 local florists in their BloomNet network, available through the DoorDash app with real-time tracking and scheduled options. This enhances convenience for timely floral gifting across select U.S. areas, with plans to expand across North America.

Full Article ›

Marks & Spencer has expanded its partnership with Zalando through ZEOS, Zalando’s B2B logistics unit, to manage its direct-to-consumer online operations across 21 European markets. Using ZEOS’s logistics and order management tools, M&S aims to cut costs by half, reduce delivery times, and boost European online sales by 30%.

Full Article ›

Norwegian cosmetics retailer VITA has enhanced its e-commerce checkout with rapid delivery options powered by nShift’s delivery management platform, enabling 30-minute in-store Click and Collect and next-day delivery nationwide. The solution integrates VITA’s warehouse, multiple carriers, Avensia Nitro’s address management, and Adyen’s payment system for a seamless, flexible customer experience.

Full Article ›

Mango has expanded its partnership with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, deploying its 6D traceability platform to track over 6,000 tonnes of sustainable fibres and 40 million product units. Mango now engages more than 1,000 suppliers in 23 countries, using the Fiber-to-Retail and Supply Chain Discovery digital tools to boost transparency in its global supply chain.

Full Article ›

Pandora partnered with InPost UK to introduce 24/7 parcel locker delivery for online customers, complementing its existing next-day delivery and two-hour Click & Collect options. At FT Live Future of Retail, Pandora, Kingfisher (Hello Casto AI assistant), and The Cotswold Company highlighted strategic AI investments, including immersive AI shopping tools and AI-driven supply chain forecasting.

Full Article ›

Jysk has completed the rollout of its Enactor-powered unified commerce platform in Germany, its largest market. The solution now connects more than 920 stores, creating a single system that supports seamless, real-time stock and service information for both online and in-store shopping.

Full Article ›

Pricer has signed a framework agreement to supply Coop Norge, Norway’s second-largest retail chain, with electronic shelf labels (ESL) and its cloud-based Pricer Plaza platform. The rollout will span over 1,000 Coop stores and banners, enhancing operational efficiency and pricing, with no set volume commitments.

Full Article ›

Scandinavian retailer Varner has deployed Sitoo’s mobile PoS solution across its estate using Zebra Technologies’ handhelds. The rollout enables staff to handle sales, Click & Collect, and real-time data access anywhere in-store. Customer confidence in mobile payments reached 93%, while 89% of staff rated Sitoo as highly user-friendly.

Full Article ›

Priceline Pharmacy, part of Wesfarmers Health, has partnered with retail media platform Zitcha to launch its retail media network, beginning with Sponsored Search. Foundational partner McPherson’s participated in the rollout, enhancing data-driven, omnichannel advertising opportunities across Priceline’s nationwide network and large loyalty base.

Full Article ›

Asda signed a multi-year preferred partner agreement with Uber Direct to expand its Express Delivery service. Using Uber’s white label quick commerce technology and courier network, Asda will extend rapid same-day delivery from its superstores and convenience stores across the UK into 2026.

Full Article ›