Google to Launch Universal Cart
Google announced the launch of Universal Cart, an AI‑driven shopping cart that serves as a single checkout hub across Google Search, Maps, YouTube and the new Google Shopping surface. The platform will let merchants list inventory once and sell instantly on any Google property, while shoppers benefit from a unified cart, personalized recommendations and one‑click checkout. Google says the service will roll out to a beta group of retailers in Q3 2026, with a global public release slated for early 2027. The move positions Google as a direct competitor to Amazon’s checkout ecosystem and to third‑party platforms like Shopify.
Ulta Beauty Expands Uber Partnership
Ulta Beauty announced that more than 1,500 of its stores have been added to the Uber Eats marketplace, allowing customers to order beauty products for home delivery through the platform. The rollout expands the retailer’s on‑demand offering beyond its existing...
H&M Names New CIO
Swedish fashion retailer H&M Group announced the appointment of Diego Teijeiro Ruiz as its new Chief Information Officer, effective May 25. Teijeiro Ruiz brings extensive experience in large‑scale digital transformation, positioning H&M to accelerate its AI‑driven e‑commerce and supply‑chain modernization. The...
Planning Under Pressure: Beating Retail Volatility with AI
Retail Express chief strategist Ed Betts warns that the current wave of consumer‑demand swings and supply‑chain disruptions is forcing retailers to abandon intuition‑based planning. He argues that AI‑driven forecasting, scenario modeling and dynamic pricing now provide the clarity needed to...
The Home Depot Acquires Automation Firm
The Home Depot announced the acquisition of SIMPL Automation, a firm that combines advanced engineering with artificial‑intelligence to streamline distribution‑center operations. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, adds AI‑driven robotics and real‑time analytics to Home Depot’s supply‑chain toolkit....
Walmart Mexico Expands ESL Partnership
Walmart de México y Centroamérica announced an expansion of its electronic shelf label (ESL) partnership with AI‑digitisation specialist Vusion. The rollout will extend Vusion’s AI‑driven pricing and inventory modules to a larger share of Walmart’s Mexican store network. The collaboration...
Puma to Launch AI Concierge
Puma announced it will introduce an AI‑powered store concierge focused on its running product range. The virtual assistant will guide shoppers, recommend items, and answer product queries in real time. Deployment is slated for Puma’s flagship locations beginning in 2027,...
WKD Appoints Social Media Partner
On March 23, 2026, UK‑based alcoholic beverage brand WKD announced the appointment of a new social‑media agency to overhaul its digital presence. The partnership is aimed at revitalising WKD’s content strategy, targeting younger consumers and expanding reach across TikTok, Instagram...
Retail Technology Show Reveals 2026 Innovation Awards Shortlist
The Retail Technology Show (RTS) announced the shortlist for its 2026 Innovation Awards, highlighting cutting‑edge solutions from Europe’s most progressive retailers and tech providers. The list features AI‑driven inventory platforms, sustainable packaging systems, and advanced omnichannel tools. By showcasing both...
Williams-Sonoma to Test ChatGPT Ads
Williams‑Sonoma, a digital‑first home furnishings retailer, has joined OpenAI’s Ad Pilot Program to test advertising placements within ChatGPT. The move makes the company one of the first to run ads in the AI chatbot environment. The pilot will allow Williams‑Sonoma...
Agentic Commerce Gets Operational Fast
Agentic commerce is moving from concept to operational reality as retailers adopt self‑improving AI agents. These agents continuously refine their decision‑making by ingesting sales, inventory, and customer interaction data. Simultaneously, product data governance frameworks are being deployed to keep catalog...
C&A Improves Inventory Visibility
Fashion retailer C&A has partnered with technology firm Nedap to launch its Inventory Engine, a platform that centralises real‑time stock information across stores and e‑commerce channels. The solution boosts inventory visibility, enabling more accurate omnichannel order fulfilment and faster replenishment...
Agentic AI Is About to Rewrite How We Shop
Agentic AI, autonomous shopping assistants, are poised to transform e‑commerce by handling product search, recommendation, and checkout. Checkout.com’s COO argues that consumer trust, data security, and transparent value will determine adoption more than raw technology. Early pilots show AI agents...
Sensors and Vision Enhance Store Performance
Retailers are aligning RFID‑adjacent IoT sensors with computer‑vision systems to create a unified, real‑time data layer by 2026. The combined technology provides machine‑readable truth that automates inventory tracking, shelf compliance, and shopper behavior analysis. Miya Knights notes that this convergence...
Coty Gets AI Makeover
Cosmetics giant Coty announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to embed advanced artificial intelligence across its worldwide operations. The collaboration will deploy custom language models and generative AI tools to accelerate product development, marketing, and consumer insight generation. Coty plans...