March 29, 2025

Circle K Expands Fuel Payment Options
Circle K is embarking on a multiyear extension of its partnership with global commerce platform WEX, giving professional drivers a new way to pay for fuel. Read More

Amazon and Walmart Go Head-to-Head Over Logistics and AI
Tariff pressures are squeezing the retail and eCommerce sectors. What are the two behemoths dominating the space, Walmart and Amazon, doing in response? Read More

4 Convenience-Store, Vendor Updates in the Tech Category
This month has held several updates to the technology category in the convenience-store industry, including c-store and tech vendor partnerships, new capabilities and leadership changes. Read More

Zaxbys to Deploy AI Timers in its Drive-Thrus
Zaxbys has selected Berry AI's Camera Timers to modernize its drive-thru operations across its entire brand. Read More

Adidas taps Zalora tie-up to grow market
Adidas is betting on omnichannel retail in the Philippines with its latest pop-up concept, The Original, launched in partnership with Zalora. The initiative is designed to bridge digital and physical shopping experiences, tapping into the country’s fast-growing e-commerce market. Read More

AI-Driven Robot Debuts at Georgia Walmart’s Restaurant
Richtech Robotics Inc., a Las Vegas-based provider of AI-driven service robots, has opened its latest One Kitchen restaurant in collaboration with Ghost Kitchens America (GKI). Read More

Pizza Hut taps Meta AI to launch ‘Hutty’ the March Madness chatbot
Pizza Hut announced Wednesday the launch of its first-ever AI chatbot — “Hutty” — which will coincide with the NCAA basketball tournament games this month. Read More

Target tests new delivery method for Shipt drivers
Target is testing delivery routes from stores that use drivers from its Shipt subsidiary. Read More

Old Navy partners with Radar for rollout of AI-powered RFID technology
In a multi-year, phased rollout, Old Navy has tapped Radar to implement its real-time inventory tracking technology into more than 1,200 stores nationwide. Read More

AI business technology takes on shoplifters and admin drag
FT1000 companies are using artificial intelligence to spot thieves and improve efficiency. Surveillance software combines machine-learning algorithms with biometric technology to spot suspicious movements Read More

ExtraMile, bp Use Personalization to Connect With Customers
Now a 1,070-store chain exclusively at Chevron and Texaco fuel locations, it upgraded its loyalty app by migrating with Chevron’s fuel rewards program. The goal was to provide a full-site experience that allows customers to “earn and burn” on both fuel and in-store purchases. Read More

Weigel’s Introduces Tech to Better Engage With Employees
Weigel’s has partnered with goHappy, a frontline employee engagement company. goHappy provides app-free frontline engagement and communication technology via text message. Read More

MyRegistry.com, Men's Wearhouse partner for gift lists
MyRegistry.com and Men's Wearhouse, part of the Tailored Brands, Inc. portfolio, are partnering to bring a “seamless gift list experience to customers.” Read More

Hy-Vee RMN Deploys Carrot Ads Solution; Instacart Extends Ad Placements to Smart Carts
The 570-store Midwestern supermarket retailer Hy-Vee will expand its partnership with Instacart by adopting the platform’s Carrot Ads solution. This new integration will give Hy-Vee RedMedia access both to Instacart’s ad technology and its CPG advertising ecosystem, which delivers advertiser demand from more than 7,000 brands. Read More

Church’s Chicken Selects Schoox for Global Learning and Training Tools
Schoox, a leader in frontline workforce learning and skills development, has been selected by Church’s Texas Chicken to help centralize training and deliver consistent development to its global franchise network. Read More

EG America selects PAR Technology for new look SmartRewards loyalty programme
EG America, a convenience store operator in the US, has selected PAR Technology to power the relaunch of its SmartRewards programme. Read More

Fleet Farm Selects Amperity To Power Next-Generation Customer Data Strategy
Fleet Farm, a leading Midwest retailer, today announced it has selected Amperity's Customer Data Cloud to modernize its customer data infrastructure and enhance its loyalty program capabilities. Read More

Fabletics’ AI-Powered CRM Strategy with Iterable Delivers 2.5x Higher Customer Value
Fabletics has partnered with Iterable, an AI-powered communication platform, to elevate its customer engagement strategy. Read More

Sally Beauty, Uber Eats launch on-demand delivery
The beauty retailer, which specializes in hair color and care products, has partnered with the delivery service to provide on-demand delivery. The partnership marks Uber Eats’ first national beauty partnership. Read More

Mango Ramps Up Data-Driven Planning for Global Operations
International fashion brand Mango is implementing a new AI software platform to transform its planning and decision-making. Read More

Basamh Group Selects RELEX to Transform Supply Chain Operations
Leading Saudi CPG Group embarks on digital transformation with the implementation of forecasting and replenishment solutions. Read More

Co-op extends tie up with payments technology company ACI Worldwide
ACI Worldwide and Co-op have announced an extension of their payments technology partnership. Read More

Prime Markets becomes first retailer in Saudi Arabia to bring Tally inventory robot to stores
Simbe reports a partnership with Universal Cold Store (Prime Markets), a grocery retail chain in Saudi Arabia, involving the introduction of its autonomous robot, Tally. Read More

Walmart extends metaverse gaming efforts to Minecraft, Discord
Walmart’s newest metaverse promotion integrates with the Minecraft virtual gaming environment and Discord gaming-themed chat platform. Read More

Transforming Connectivity and Customer Engagement at Church’s Texas Chicken
By partnering with Hughes Network Systems, Church’s Texas Chicken achieved seamless network stability, reduced downtime by 50%, and enhanced customer engagement through integrated digital solutions. Read More

Tech provider Bite wants to bring a human touch to kiosks
Bite’s ordering software is designed to delight customers with things like secret menus and surprise freebies. It was just named one of the world’s most innovative companies. Read More

How Brittany Knollmiller is Redefining Yogurtland’s Marketing Playbook
‘Brit Grit’ uses her adaptability and resilience to revitalize the yogurt chain’s marketing for a new audience through creativity and data. Read More

Heineken launches Global GenAI Lab in Singapore as it ramps up digital transformation push
Heineken has announced the launch of its first Global Generative AI (GenAI) Lab in Singapore. Read More

Co-op and Uber Eats shake hands on new three-year rapid grocery deliveries partnership renewal
The tie up, which started in 2022, has seen the number of Co-op stores where Uber Eats is available increase to more than 1,300. Read More

Philip Morris Switzerland taps LEAFIO AI Shelf Efficiency solution
Philip Morris Switzerland has partnered with LEAFIO AI to enhance its visual merchandising through the implementation of the latter's Shelf Efficiency solution for automated planogram management. Read More

City Furniture completes 3D product visualization rollout
The family-owned top 20 U.S. furniture retailer, which is also a fine upholstery manufacturer, has been deploying technology from 3D digital asset management and product visualization solution provider 3D Cloud since summer 2024. Read More

Walmart Canada provides new digital ad option to marketplace sellers
Walmart’s Canadian subsidiary is creating a new opportunity for sellers on its third-party marketplace to connect with online shoppers. Read More

Beeswift rolls out Slimstock AI powered supply chain planning platform
UK-based workwear and personal protective clothing and equipment specialist, Beeswift, has deployed Slimstock’s AI powered supply chain planning platform. Read More

Klarna to displace Affirm as Walmart BNPL provider
The Swedish buy now, pay later business partnered with a Walmart-backed fintech to offer loans at the retail giant via a digital payments app. Read More

Mollie Stone’s Partners With DoorDash
Mollie Stone’s Markets has teamed up with local commerce platform DoorDash for convenient on-demand delivery of local, natural, organic, conventional and specialty items from the grocer, in addition to exclusive items from Mollie’s Kitchen, the independent grocer’s in-house restaurant. Read More

Mathis Home optimizing inventory planning
The retailer faces industry-specific supply chain issues, including slow-moving inventory and capacity constraints, that are difficult to manage with manual processes. Mathis Home is implementing Blue Yonder technology to automate and optimize planning processes and improve its forecasting capabilities. Read More

Darden tests Uber Direct delivery at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Darden Restaurants Inc. has completed its rollout of Uber Direct delivery at all qualifying Olive Garden restaurants and has begun a 10-unit test at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, executives said Thursday. Read More

DoorDash to add Klarna flexible payment options
DoorDash is expanding the options customers have for payment. The on-demand delivery platform is teaming up with artificial intelligence-based global payments and commerce network Klarna to offer Klarna’s flexible payment services to its customers. Read More

Torchy's Tacos deploys AI hiring platform
Torchy's Tacos has partnered with Landed, a leading generative AI-powered hiring platform, which offers advanced candidate matching, personalized text engagement, automated scheduling, and multilingual AI. Read More

Steve Madden revamps global e-commerce ecosystem
Steve Madden, a fashion icon, has partnered with RunDTC and Contentstack to transform its global e-commerce ecosystem. Read More

Zaxbys Chooses Berry AI’s Camera Timers to Modernize its Drive-Thru
Zaxbys, a Southeastern QSR chicken chain with more than 970 locations in the U.S., has selected Berry AI’s Camera Timers to modernize its drive-thru operations across its entire brand. Read More

Brook Mays Music enlists Ocula Technologies as third generation business enters new era of AI innovation
Ocula Technologies reports a new partnership with US retailer Brook Mays Music. Read More

Amazon exec examines next-gen AI in the supply chain
Machine learning and predictive analytics are among the artificial intelligence technologies retailers can utilize to streamline supply chain operations. Read More

Citi Trends taps Invent.ai tech to transform inventory management processes
Invent.ai has been selected by Citi Trends, a value retailer of apparel, accessories and home trends primarily for African American and multicultural families in the US, to provide AI powered inventory solutions for allocation and replenishment. Read More

Company Shop deploys Pricer in-store solution based on ESLs across its UK store estate of supermarkets
Surplus supermarket, Company Shop, has partnered with Pricer to roll-out the firm’s in-store solution based on electronic shelf labels (ESLs) across its entire UK store estate. Read More

Market 32/Price Chopper Enhances Online Takeout and Catering Services
Market 32/Price Chopper is making it easier for both customers and associates to handle takeout and catering orders. The retailer is expanding its partnership with FoodStorm, part of Instacart’s Connected Stores suite, to offer a more seamless online experience. Read More

Fortnum & Mason gears up to launch 24/7 on-demand delivery service in London with Zapp
Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason is tapping into the on-demand delivery space. It is partnering with Zapp to make a range of products, including its signature loose-leaf teas, tea selections, biscuits and hampers available 24/7 for customers in London. Read More

Unilever Optimizes Product Shoots With Digital Twins & AI
Unilever is using digital twin and AI technologies to optimize its product shoots and reduce duplicative efforts with a "single digital truth for product images." Read More

Blount Fine Foods Reinforces Supply Chain Strategy With Unified Approach
The family-owned and -operated manufacturer — which produces soup and entree brands such as Panera Bread, Legal Sea Foods, Blount’s Family Kitchen, and Blount’s Clam Shack — is working with Relex Solutions to consolidate systems and create new efficiencies. Read More