Retail Technology News: April update

Retailers in April 2026 focused technology efforts in areas including in-store kiosks, AI customer assistants and inventory management.

Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in April, starting with the most recent. 

• Ace Hardware provides AI assistance to store employees Ace Hardware has launched an AI assistant called “Hey ARMA” that is designed to provide real-time support and guidance to employees in stores nationwide. Operated through a handheld device, Hey ARMA was developed to provides associates with quick access to product knowledge, project advice and recommendations.
• Vallarta Supermarkets sees sales rise, spoilage reduced after AI implementation Vallarta Supermarkets generated a 1,070% return on investment after implementing Fresh Inventory Management technology from Logile Inc. After the management system helped how it forecasted demand, reduced spoilage, and aligned fresh production with sales, Vallarta recovered its investment in 15 months and generated more than $10 million in attributable profit over three years.
• White Castle to roll out 1,000 automated hamburger kiosks White Castle and Automated Retail Technologies (ART) have teamed up to expand access to the brand’s famous sliders through hot food automated kiosks, marking a significant step in the brand’s growth beyond restaurant locations and frozen food aisles where its products can be found. Starting with 1,000 locations, White Castle Crave & Go kiosks prepare orders for guests on the go through a technology-enabled platform.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods partners with Adobe to provide AI 'digital coaches' Dick’s Sporting Goods is partnering with Adobe to provide customers with personalized agentic AI assistance. Leveraging the Adobe Brand Concierge solution, the retailer will deliver immersive conversational experiences to customers via its mobile app.  AI agents acting as digital coaches will provide personalized product recommendations and tailored training tips based on timely and relevant data to help ensure every agent interaction is customized and reacts to changing customer preferences.
• VF Corp. to obtain single view of inventory The parent company of Vans, The North Face and Timberland will deploy the Nedap Inventory Engine across its brand portfolio and more than 1,500 stores, with the goal of creating a stronger foundation for end-to-end inventory visibility. VF aims to enhance stock accuracy, improve product availability and strengthen omnichannel performance across all the regions where it operates.