News Briefs

[READ MORE: Dollar General sets core back-to-school items at 2024 prices]

The second-ever CEO of REI Co-op has died at the age of 97.

Jim Whittaker, who was hired in 1955 by REI co-founder Lloyd Anderson as the company’s first full-time paid employee and went on to serve as its second CEO from 1971 to 1979, has died. Whittaker was also the first American to summit Mount Everest, which he did on May 1,1963. REI said brought the feat brought it national recognition and helped carry the company into a new era.

Under his leadership, membership in the retailer’s co-op program grew from just under 250,000 to more than 900,000 at the time of his retirement. His testimony before the U.S. Congress in 1968 began his congressional work and later helped establish North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington, as well as Redwood National Park in California.

“Throughout his life, Jim measured success not by personal achievement, but by the communities he built, the responsibility he modeled, and the countless people he inspired to step outside and discover something larger than themselves,” REI said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his loving family, including his wife Dianne Roberts and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”

Headquartered near Seattle, REI is the nation’s largest consumer co-op and has a community of 25 million members.

Gap Inc. continues deploying next-gen artificial intelligence technology on the back end.

The parent company of  Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta will deploy the Inspectorio AI platform across its entire brand portfolio. The Inspectorio solution is designed to increase visibility, quality management and supplier collaboration. By realizing product traceability through data collection and automated task execution.

"Gap Inc. sets a new global standard for how leading retailers use AI to streamline supply chain performance and deliver for consumers," said Chirag Patel, CEO, Inspectorio. "We’re proud to support the company’s vision with AI-powered technology that turns transparency into a competitive advantage and helps Gap Inc. make faster, smarter decisions across a complex global supplier network."

Gap keeps rolling out robots

In another example of its efforts toward digital innovation on the back end, Gap has long been utilizing robots in its supply chain. Earlier in 2025, the company began utilizing Boston Dynamics "Stretch" robots to automate the inbound processing of boxes into distribution centers in Tennessee, Ohio, New York, and California. 

[READ MORE: Gap Inc. automates inbound logistics with robots]

In addition, the retailer has deployed hundreds of Kindred Sort picking robots in its U.S. distribution centers, and also designed and integrated an Exotec Skypod System to optimize its returns picking process. And in 2021, the company acquired Context-Based 4 Casting Ltd. (CB4), a New York- and Tel Aviv-based retail artificial intelligence and machine learning platform.

Walmart advertisers have new opportunities to reach customers via social media.

Walmart is unveiling new social media offerings for brands participating in its Walmart Connect retail media network (launched in 2021 as a revamped version of the Walmart Media Group). These include self-serve access, closed-loop measurement, and new shoppable formats.

As a result, for the first time, self-serve advertisers can use Walmart Connect social media to create integrated, full-funnel campaigns, starting with Meta and expanding to other platforms such as TikTok later in 2026. An API for tech partners is also planned for later this year.

Participating advertisers and agencies can now activate the same Walmart audiences across their social and onsite placements. In addition, self-serve advertisers can launch, optimize, and measure social media campaigns within the Walmart Connect Ad Center. Social media ads appear under Walmart’s handle and feature a supplier’s or seller’s product. 

[READ MORE: Walmart expands advertising integration with Vizio connected TVs]

Other new Walmart Connect offerings

Walmart is also continuing to expand closed-loop measurement across social platforms, with closed-loop measurement via LiveRamp’s data clean room now available for Meta and closed-loop measurement also available for TikTok and Pinterest.

The retailer is also introducing an “add-to-cart” feature on Meta, TikTok and Pinterest. Instead of a multi-step shopping process where customers must leave those apps to add a product to their cart, they can now add up to 10 products directly to their Walmart cart from social ads. 

Burt’s Bees' participation in a beta test campaign that combined offsite display with social add-to-cart drove 42% of ad-attributed sales, with 95% of shoppers who added-to-cart buying within a week of exposure, according to Walmart data.

Starbucks Coffee Company wants to create a targeted store experience that will create a "second peak" during the day.

The coffee giant is launching a new customizable beverage line called "Energy Refreshers" featuring natural caffeine, no added synthetic additives, and B vitamins. In addition, Starbucks says its stores will look and feel different during the afternoon starting during spring 2026 and throughout the summer. 

Digital menu boards will transition from morning recommendations to spotlight afternoon-focused products like Energy Refreshers, iced teas and grab‑and‑go snacks. The atmosphere will also feature upbeat afternoon playlists. Midday and afternoon dayparts generate $11 billion in sales after 11 a.m., according to Starbucks, and the retailer says it believes there is room to create a “second peak.” 

In addition, in response to tea sales climbing by more than 70% since 2021, Starbucks is offering new tea flavors including Iced Mango Cream Chai and Iced Mango Cream Matcha. The retailer is enacting these changes as part of “Back to Starbucks,” a broad turnaround strategy instituted by CEO Brian Niccol in 2024 that includes cost controls and changes to how the company manages its workforce.

[READ MORE: Starbucks' new strategy includes four-minute service, cozier cafes, simpler menu]

"Together, these elements, combined with green apron service will shape a new daily ritual for our customers, one that brings the signature warmth, innovation and connection of Starbucks into the heart of their afternoon," Erin Silvoy, senior VP, global marketing & channel development, Starbucks, said in a corporate blog post. "With refreshed menus and an evolved coffeehouse experience we’re creating more reasons than ever to choose Starbucks as that essential mid‑day reset. This is just the beginning of what’s possible when we reimagine the afternoon, the Starbucks way."

A leading discount retailer’s Car Seat Trade-In program has reached a milestone.

From April 19 to May 2, Target shoppers will have the opportunity to trade in an old, expired or damaged car seat and earn a 20% Target Circle Bonus toward a new car seat or baby gear purchase. For the 10th anniversary of the program, the retailer is expanding the value beyond just baby gear, offering savings across toys, food and beverage, and apparel.

Over the last decade, Target says its Car Seat Trade-In program has helped keep more than 58 million pounds of materials out of landfills. Recycled resin from discarded car seats into more than 690,000 Brightroom and Room Essentials private label products, according to the retailer.

“Families trust Target to be there for them during life’s biggest milestones,” said Amanda Nusz, senior VP of merchandising, essentials and beauty at Target. “With Car Seat Trade-In, we’re making it easier for busy parents to get high-quality, thoughtfully designed products for their little ones while easily recycling what they no longer need and saving on what comes next.”

On April 25 and 26, select Target stores will have giveaways, samples and opportunities for families to connect and discover what’s new. It also marks the first Car Seat Trade-In event with the newly announced Baby Boutique experience, now live in nearly 200 stores, transforming the traditional baby aisle into a hands-on discovery space. Throughout the boutique experience, families can see, touch and test over 2,000 new items from premium brands.

[READ MORE: Target reveals turnaround plan — investing $6B in stores, tech and workers]

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide in addition to its e-commerce site.