News Briefs

Starbucks Corp. will provide baristas in select stores with tablet-based access to artificial intelligence assistance for their jobs.

The coffee giant is implementing a generative AI solution designed to assist store associates with performing routine tasks at 35 stores during June 2025. The tool is known as "Green Dot Assist" and based on the Microsoft Azure OpenAI generative AI platform.

Loaded on an iPad located behind the counter, Green Dot Assist will enable associates to ask an AI chatbot verbal or typed questions such as how to prepare a specific order or fix a mechanical issue, using natural conversational questions, and receive instant, conversational responses.

"This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to streamlining operations, reducing friction, and giving partners more time to focus on crafting beverages and connecting with customers," said Deb Hall Lefevre, executive VP/CTO, Starbucks.    

Starbucks will pilot Green Dot Assist in 35 of its stores, with more on the way. The retailer plans widespread rollout across locations in the U.S. and Canada starting in fall 2025. 

"This is a new era of innovation at Starbucks — one where AI enhances the partner experience and strengthens the connection between baristas and customers," said Lefevre.

Brian Niccol, the former Chipotle CEO who took the reins of Starbucks in September, previously said it is clear that the company needs to “fundamentally change” its strategy to win back customers, including a new goal of customers receiving their orders in four minutes or less. 

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

GameStop reported its fourth-consecutive quarterly profit even as its sales continue to decline and its footprint continues to shrink.

The long-struggling video game retailer posted net income of $44.8 million, or $0.09 a share, in the quarter ended May 3, compared to a net loss of $32.3 million, or $0.11 a share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings were $0.17 a share, topping analysts’ estimates of $0.8 share. 

A resale retailer of luxury handbags and accessories is bringing a selection of its wares to Amazon.

Rebag is offering a curated assortment of nearly 30,000 pre-owned luxury items, including designer handbags, jewelry and watches, in collaboration with the Luxury Stores at Amazon online store. The collection will include brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Rolex and Cartier, offered with Amazon’s shopping experience and fast shipping and Rebag’s inspection and verification process.

"Rebag is thrilled to work with Luxury Stores at Amazon and to redefine how customers shop for pre-owned luxury," said Charles Gorra, CEO & founder of Rebag. "This collaboration enables us to connect with a broader audience and meet the growing demand for sustainable luxury fashion in a way that’s convenient and trustworthy."

Luxury Stores at Amazon offers an immersive shopping experience aimed at fashion-conscious consumers. Saks Fifth Avenue also recently started offering a curated assortment of fashion and beauty products via a dedicated Luxury Stores at Amazon storefront.

[READ MORE: Saks opens luxury storefront on Amazon]

Rebag expands collaboration strategy

Rebag has been launching a variety of new partnerships in the past year, including a collection available on Walmart Marketplace and an initiative that made a curated selection of more than 2,500 designer handbags, watches and jewelry available on Bloomingdales.com. 

In addition, more than 500 items will be featured in five select Bloomingdale's stores. Rebag has also entered a partnership with online resale platform ThredUp that allows customers to sell items via ThredUp for Rebag shopping credit and also enables ThredUp customers to shop select Rebag inventory directly on the ThredUp site.

Founded in 2014, Rebag is a digitally native company with retail locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Florida.

Consumers are taking an omnichannel approach when it comes to Father’s Day (June 15) shopping this year.

A new survey from NieslenIQ reveals that 69% of shoppers are expecting to look around stores in person for gifts, while 66% are expecting to explore shopping websites. Three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed across demographics plan to buy items from Amazon for the holiday, showcasing the retail giant's reach.

However, nearly all (nine-in-10) Amazon shoppers also expect to shop at other places. After Amazon, the most popular retailers include mass merchandisers (41%), department stores (26%), home improvement stores (25%) and sporting goods chains (22%).

The most popular gifts for dad include apparel, footwear and men’s fragrances, followed by gift cards, sporting goods and home improvement items. Two-in-five shoppers say they plan to use gift guides to find items this Father’s Day, while 20% plan to use social media or influencer recommendations to help choose gifts.

According to a recent estimate from the Nation Retail Federation, Father’s Day spending will reach a record $24 billion this year. The figure is up from last year’s $22.4 billion and exceeds the previous record of $22.9 billion in 2023.

“Forty-seven percent of shoppers plan to spend more than last year, despite inflation concerns,” said Nim Sharon, VP of tech & durables at NielsenIQ. “For brands, the key to winning is clear: Offer value, variety and inspiration to capture consumer interest in one of the biggest gifting seasons of the year!”

[READ MORE: Survey: U.S. shoppers already worried about rising costs of holiday essentials]

Consumers are bullish on how artificial intelligence will impact their online shopping experience.

Sixty-three percent of consumers surveyed said they believe AI will improve e-commerce, according to a new survey from SaaS firm Algolia. When asked what the best use for AI would be when it comes to online shopping, 45% said serving as an online personal shopping assistant, followed by customer service chatbots (42%), personalizing promotions and product discounts (42%) and uncovering new products (41%).

As an online shopping assistant, respondents said that AI can help the most with creating a formal event outfit (40%), creating professional attire ideas (39%) and compiling outfits for a vacation (37%). Only 20% said a trained assistant would not help with any wardrobe recommendations.

Where many consumers are in agreement is their openness to using AI to find the best prices. Seventy-one percent of those surveyed said they would use a tool that would lead them to compare prices across retailers and find the best options.

[READ MORE: Survey: 71% of consumers abandon irrelevant AI experiences]

Additional insights from the Algolia survey include:

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) said that if their favorite retailer used their past searches on its site to train an AI-powered personal shopper, they would be interested in using it.
• More than half (53%) of respondents said they would use an AI agent to reorder household staple items when they run low, and 65% said they would use one to be alerted when something they needed is restocked.
• More than half (52%) said they would not trust an AI agent to help pick out gifts for friends or family.

Algolia surveyed 1,000 U.S.-based adults for its AI agent report.

Two pet retail franchises are continuing to expand with new stores.

Michigan-based Pet Supplies Plus and its Wag N’ Wash pet grooming chain are capitalizing on strong momentum with double-digit growth through the first half of 2025. The two brands have secured 15 new franchise agreements so far this year, and are on track to open more than 25 stores in 2025.

“The first half of 2025 has been incredibly successful and speaks to the strength of both Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash,” said Nick Russo, chief development officer of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “Our rapid franchise growth and national recognition as top brands – not just in pet retail, but across franchising – demonstrate the power of our systems and our core mission of making pet services affordable and accessible. As interest in pet retail franchising continues to grow, both brands are well-positioned for an even stronger second half of the year.”

Economic uncertainty is not expected to slow down the two chains’ growth. According to a recent consumer survey from the American Pet Products Association, 77% of U.S. pet owners say the economy has not affected their pet ownership, emphasizing a continued commitment to keeping pets healthy, safe and comfortable.

[READ MORE: Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N'Wash join Grubhub marketplace]

“Our team continues to build on a legacy of trust and consistency that resonates with both franchisees and pet parents,” said Pet Supplies Plus CEO Chris Rowland. “Looking ahead, we are more energized than ever. Our focus remains on strategic expansion, strong franchisee support, and maintaining the neighbor-first experience that truly sets us apart in a competitive market.”

A subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc., Pet Supplies Plus operates over 725 locations nationwide. Wag N' Wash operates 27 locations open across the U.S..