News Briefs

Crocs Inc. is partnering with a third-party artificial intelligence service provider to modernize its core business and IT systems.

The casual footwear brand is entering a 10-year strategic agreement with digital services and consulting firm Infosys to deliver scalable, AI-first solutions across its enterprise IT and business operations. Crocs intends these initiatives to help break down operational silos, unify data across the organization and enable real-time, insight-driven decision-making.

"As our organization reimagines its IT landscape, we sought a collaborator who could combine deep domain expertise with a commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” said Tom Britt, CIO, Crocs Inc. “By leveraging Infosys’ proven delivery frameworks and advanced automation capabilities, we will optimize operations, reduce costs and scale responsibly — while driving continuous improvement and building a foundation for sustainable growth and digital resilience that positions Crocs for the future."

Crocs has been engaging in innovative technology initiatives such as using agentic AI to read customers in the moment and ensure the dynamic relevancy of recommended products and collaborating with AI fashion design platform Ablo to let customers design one-of-a-kind Jibbitz charms.

In August 2025, the company unveiled a new store concept that features immersive storytelling and its largest personalization experience to date.

[READ MORE: First Look: Crocs goes experiential with new ‘Icon’ store concept]

“The retail industry is at an unprecedented inflection point, where new AI augmented, digital imaginations can be industrialized rapidly,” said Karmesh Vaswani, executive VP & global head, consumer, retail & logistics, Infosys. “Crocs, Inc. is making a bold commitment to digital transformation. We are proud to collaborate with a global footwear business that’s willing to reimagine its operations from the ground up.”

Headquartered in Broomfield, Colo., Crocs Inc.’s brands include Crocs and HeyDude. Its products are sold in more than 85 countries through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.

Holland, Mich.-based Tommy’s Express, which claims to be the fastest-growing car wash chain in the world, has ignited its aggressive expansion program with two key hires.

Kim Chohan--a 10-year veteran of franchise development for brands that include Boston Pizza and Medicine Shoppe—will take the helm of the chain’s Canadian expansion. Two Tommy’s will be opening up north by the end of 2026, with many more planned for development.

Also hired was Kristijonas Minelga as Tommy’s franchise director for Europe. Minelga joins the company with more than six years of experience in in the European express tunnel car wash industry, handling franchise development and multi-site network growth. 

“Kim and Kris bring deep backgrounds in franchising, which made these additions incredibly intentional,” said Matt Nagelkirk, Tommy’s VP of franchise development. “Our goal from day one has been to bring Tommy’s Express to every market in the world, and adding these two team members will help us move very fast."

The company currently has 160 car washes under development worldwide, which, when opened, will take the chain to more than 430 locations.

A coupon platform is providing users a personalized app-based interface.

RetailMeNot is launching a new artificial intelligence-based rewards app designed to provide a single destination for verified savings, loyalty, and product discovery. Cooperating with partner retailers, RetailMeNot is offering new mobile app features including:

• Working code promise. Exclusive to the RetailMeNot app, the working code promise verifies every promo code for participating retailers before it's presented to shoppers. 
• Guaranteed savings. The app has a guaranteed minimum 1% cash back across more than 3,500 participating retailers in the app. Guaranteed cash back can be stacked with eligible promo codes and other offers.
• RetailMeNot Rewards. This app-exclusive loyalty program lets RetailMeNot members earn $5 for every two qualifying purchases of $25 or more each month at eligible retailers for up to $50 in bonus rewards each month.
• Scout Price (beta). RetailMeNot's proprietary Scout Price pricing technology helps shoppers find the best available price on products by automatically factoring in applicable cash back offers and other eligible savings. Currently in beta, Scout Price will continue expanding in coming weeks to support exclusive codes, additional retailers and product offers.
• Personalized shopping. Customized offers, curated product recommendations and shopping feeds are tailored to each member's interests and purchasing behavior.
• Smart search. A conversational AI shopping feature that allows consumers to discover products, compare brands and find active deals using natural language search queries.

[READ MORE: Why retailers are putting next-gen AI in the palm of the shopper’s hand]

"RetailMeNot has always been about helping people save, but the way consumers shop has fundamentally changed," said Magali Darling, chief commercial officer at RetailMeNot. "The RetailMeNot Rewards app gives consumers confidence that they'll get verified savings while making every shopping trip more personalized. At the same time, we're creating stronger, more meaningful connections between retailers and high-intent shoppers to drive loyalty beyond one-time transactions."

A North American convenience giant has tapped a new partner for its digital offers.

Ibotta Inc. will serve as the exclusive third-party provider of CPG digital offers (excluding age-restricted items) to the 7-Eleven, 7NOW and Speedway apps, reaching shoppers across more than 11,500 U.S. store locations.

7-Eleven shoppers will be able to clip Ibotta-powered offers directly in the apps before purchasing in-store, at the pump, or via delivery, with rewards deposited directly into their 7Rewards or Speedy Rewards loyalty accounts. The partnership marks Ibotta’s entrance into the convenience channel.

"At 7-Eleven, we are investing in the digital and physical infrastructure that makes every visit more valuable for our shoppers while driving volume for brands," said Yaqub Baiani, chief product officer at 7-Eleven. "Joining with Ibotta gives CPG brands a leading performance-based solution inside one of the most powerful loyalty programs in convenience retail."

[READ MORE: Former Dr. Pepper exec named CEO of 7-Eleven]

Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations.

Ibotta is headquartered in Denver and reaches over 200 million consumers through the Ibotta Performance Network.

"7-Eleven and Speedway stores represent a significant opportunity for CPG brands with enormous purchase volume,” said Bryan Leach, founder and CEO of Ibotta. “We are excited to bring our leading digital offer content and best-in-class measurement capabilities to 7-Eleven Inc.”

A Kroger banner is letting customers order prescriptions and groceries together when utilizing a specific online delivery service.

Harris Teeter is enabling customers to have prescriptions delivered combined with  grocery orders placed for delivery by Instacart. Customers can place their orders online or through the Harris Teeter app.

"Combining pharmacy services into the everyday shopping experience makes it possible for more families to manage their health in a convenient and efficient way," said Lindsay Cappoziello, senior director of health and wellness for Harris Teeter. "This launch offers more delivery options for certain prescriptions filled by the same Harris Teeter pharmacy teams that customers know and trust." 

Harris Teeter also provides third-party delivery of online orders (not including prescriptions) through a partnership between parent The Kroger Co.  and Uber Technologies Inc. Kroger also offers third-party delivery in partnership with DoorDash.

In addition, Kroger offers proprietary delivery of grocery orders in partnership with U.K.-based online grocer Ocado Group, using automated customer fulfillment center (CFC) facilities which combine vertical integration, machine learning, and robotics with fast-delivery service for fresh food. Recently, Kroger has been scaling back its use of the centers and its partnership with Ocado, including closing some CFCs and canceling the planned openings of others.

[READ MORE: Kroger seeks e-commerce profit boost by closing distribution hubs]

Headquartered in Matthews, N.C., Harris Teeter operates more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.