News Briefs
- 12/4/2025
Target reportedly piloting overnight delivery
Target Corp. is testing a new way to speed up delivery of online orders, according to media reports.
The discount giant is said to be running a next-day delivery pilot in Cleveland that involves a dedicated sortation center and freelance delivery drivers. Gurufocus, following up on initial reporting by the Wall Street Journal, reports that Target is testing the service as its e-commerce sales are improving despite overall falling revenues and Amazon and Walmart are both ramping up efforts to get deliveries to customers within minutes.
Target piloted the concept of sortation centers — which streamline the process of fulfilling and delivering online orders, removing the sorting process from the backroom of stores — in April 2021 with a pilot in its Minneapolis hometown.
[READ MORE: Target tests new process for faster order delivery]
In a recent email to Chain Store Age, the retailer said it has opened a 40,000-sq.-ft. sortation center that will enable next-day delivery of online orders in the Cleveland metro area. Opened in time for the holidays, the facility is a three-year trial of a sortation center model in which last-mile delivery is only activated by Target’s Shipt delivery subsidiary.
It is unclear if Target is using this facility to support overnight deliveries in Cleveland or has opened a separate local hub for them. Meanwhile, Amazon is piloting delivery in 30 minutes or less in the Seattle and Philadelphia markets via its Amazon Now ultrafast delivery service.
In addition, Walmart is expanding ultrafast drone delivery that fulfills orders in as little as five minutes to metro Atlanta. Walmart also offers ultrafast drone delivery in Dallas and Northwest Arkansas, with plans to roll it out in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina by 2026.
- 12/4/2025
Here’s how brands can drive loyalty via the supply chain
Certain supply chain practices can help brands develop and maintain customer loyalty.
Close to nine-in-10 (88%) of brand supply chain executives focus on loyalty. However, a new study from Infios reveals a disconnect between brands and consumers as to what elements of a supply chain strategy attract customers.
The study, “The State of Supply Chain: Truth or Trend?”, indicates that surveyed supply chain executives are focusing on speed (66%), transparency (44%), low cost (38%), and sustainability (32%) as key customer loyalty drivers.
But surveyed consumers said quality (58%) is their top loyalty factor, with 29% willing to switch brands if quality drops. Consumer respondents did not identify supply chain sustainability as a major factor in determining brand loyalty.
Looking at the impact of tariffs, the study found another large disconnect. Close to eight-in-10 (78%) consumer respondents expect tariffs to affect them personally, while 90% of supply chain executive respondents say tariffs won’t negatively affect consumer finances.
[READ MORE: Survey: Inflation, tariffs lead consumer concerns ahead of holidays]
"Our research highlights a clear path forward for supply chain leaders," said Richard Stewart, executive VP of industry & product strategy at Infios. "Companies that bridge the divide between operational performance and what consumers truly value will differentiate themselves in the market. Leaders who take the next step—listening to what consumers actually care about and delivering on those priorities—will build deeper trust and create sustainable competitive advantages.”
- 12/4/2025
Big Brand Tire & Service optimizes replenishment
A tire and automotive services retailer is transforming how it replenishes stock across its stores and distribution centers.
Operating more than 320 stores, Big Brand Tire & Service is actively planning to expand and seeks to ensure its replenishment capability scales with growth. The retailer is leveraging the Invent.ai agentic AI platform to replace manual, reactive replenishment processes and provide AI-driven, intelligent recommendations across its stores and DCs.
"We needed a partner that can move fast with us as we grow," said Glen Mone, VP of supply chain at Big Brand Tire & Service. "Invent.ai clearly understands how to scale replenishment and transfer logic across a distributed network—and we appreciate how easy the process has been so far."
Utilizing the Invent.ai agentic platform, Big Brand Tire & Service intelligently adjusts inventory across stores and DCs; continuously evaluates demand, supply and cost to optimize inventory; integrates new locations and brands into its replenishment workflows while maintaining consistent replenishment and operational control; and delivers AI dashboards with alerts and actionable insights to users.
By analyzing real-time demand, inventory levels and supply constraints, the retailer intends to respond dynamically to market changes, optimize inventory transfers; balance inventory investment with service goals; and provide management full visibility into network performance.
[READ MORE: IHL Group: Inventory issues cause $1.7T in annual losses]
"Partnering with Big Brand Tire & Service highlights how AI can power growth in complex retail networks," said Gurhan Kok, founder & CEO of Invent.ai. "Our multi-agentic platform enables proactive, coordinated decision-making across stores and DCs, reducing inefficiencies, improving service and supporting scalable, sustainable expansion."
Founded in 1969, Big Brand Tire & Service operates more than 320 stores and is headquartered in Moorpark, Calif.
- 12/3/2025
Weis Markets uses edge AI to enhance security at self-checkout
A regional East Coast grocer is amplifying loss prevention efforts at checkout by implementing a new artificial intelligence solution.
Weis Markets is deploying the Elera security suite from Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions across self-checkout lanes in all its 199 stores, with plans to extend the technology to dual-use and cashier lanes. Leveraging edge AI capabilities which place AI functionality directly into store devices and hardware, the Elera solution enables Weis Markets to perform real-time, on-device processing at self-checkout stations to automatically identify produce items and detect and respond to loss-related behaviors as they occur.
"Our goal is to upgrade our technology stack and invest in Elera security suite to provide a frictionless experience for our customers," said Greg Zeh, CIO and senior VP of Weis Markets. "Our customers have embraced produce recognition, with over 94% selecting to use it at self-checkout. It is already strengthening real-time loss prevention."
Weis Markets has implemented a variety of AI solutions over the years. These include deploying the Upshop platform that uses AI and machine learning functionality to streamline fresh food operations and reduce waste, the CINDE AI customer analytics platform from SymphonyAI, and most recently the Cognira PromoAI solution to gain real-time insights that will help the retailer evaluate performance and make better decisions in its promotional efforts.
[READ MORE: Weis Markets leverages AI for real-time promotions management]
"By understanding the real-world complexities of shrink, we designed a system that helps retailers like Weis Markets to enhance the shopping experience and empower associates," said Yevgeni Tsirulnik, senior VP portfolio management at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions.
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid Atlantic food retailer operating 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.
- 12/3/2025
Walmart opens second proprietary milk processing facility
Walmart is moving ahead with efforts to bolster and increase control of its milk supply chain.
The discount giant has opened its second owned- and operated milk processing facility, located in Valdosta, Ga. The company opened its first milk processing plant in Fort Wayne, Ind. in 2018 and plans to launch its third proprietary milk hub in Robinson, Texas in 2026.
Walmart expects the new 300,000-plus-sq.-ft. facility to create more than 400 new jobs, strengthen its end-to-end supply chain for, and advance the company’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and local sourcing. The company invested $350 million into the facility, which was first announced in 2023.
Sourcing milk directly from local dairy farmers, the Valdosta facility will process and bottle a variety of milk options — including gallon, half-gallon, whole, 2%, 1%, skim, and 1% chocolate milk — for Walmart’s Great Value and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark brands and supply more than 650 Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores across the Southeast.
It follows the company’s investment in its first milk processing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as well as two case-ready beef facilities in Thomasville, Georgia, and Olathe, Kansas. These efforts also support Walmart’s pledge to invest $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2031.
[READ MORE: Walmart makes major commitment to U.S. manufacturing]
“This new facility has innovation at its core,” said Bruce Heckman, VP, manufacturing, Walmart U.S. “It will bolster our capacity to meet the demand for high-quality milk, make our supply chain more resilient, and build even greater transparency around sourcing. We’re excited about what this means for Walmart customers, regional farmers, and the Valdosta community.”
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
- 12/2/2025
Home Depot expands Instacart delivery partnership to Canada
The Home Depot Canada is offering same-day delivery in as fast as an hour from over 175 stores across the country.
The Canadian subsidiary of Home Depot is now the first nationwide home improvement retailer available on Instacart in Canada. The collaborative service also includes Instacart's Big & Bulky solution that enables retailers to offer same-day and scheduled delivery for large items up to 60 pounds.
"Our customers continue to be our top priority, and our stores are the foundation of who we are and how we meet their needs,” said Doug Graham, VP of e-commerce and marketing at Home Depot Canada. “Expanding our digital and delivery capabilities is essential to providing Canadians a seamless and convenient shopping experience.”
To start shopping from The Home Depot Canada on Instacart, customers can visit instacart.ca/store/the-home-depot-canada or download the Instacart app on their mobile device. Home Depot began offering Instacart-fulfilled deliveries in the U.S. in May 2024.
[READ MORE: The Home Depot partners to expand same-day delivery options]
“At Instacart, we’re focused on delivering convenience and accessibility, whether it’s helping customers get their homes ready for the holiday season with décor or gathering materials for a last-minute home project over the weekend,” said Blake Wallace, VP of retail partnerships at Instacart. “We’re proud to help create a seamless shopping experience for Home Depot customers across Canada and bring more variety to the Instacart app with the addition of The Home Depot Canada.”
Through Dec. 8, 2025, Instacart customers receive $20 off their Home Depot Canada purchase of $80 or more.
Show More