Retail Technology News: August update
Uber began piloting Coco delivery robots in August.
Retailers in August 2024 focused technology efforts in areas including robots, enterprise artificial intelligence, and digital shelf labels.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in August, starting with the most recent.
- Uber rolling out sidewalk delivery robots from new partner The Uber Eats on-demand delivery subsidiary of Uber is launching a pilot of emissions-free Coco sidewalk robots starting in Los Angeles and expanding to more cities in the months to come.
- Amazon Prime Big Deal Days returns in October For the third consecutive year, Amazon is officially kicking off its holiday promotional season with a sales event called Prime Big Deal Days. The event will only be open to members of the paid Amazon Prime membership program and feature what the e-tailer is calling “early holiday deals” across popular categories.
- Ikea upgrades fulfillment drone fleet After a successful pilot, Ikea will now utilize upgraded AI-powered drones to help manage its inventory. The new drone system allows for simultaneous inventory checks, eliminating the need to block aisles and disrupt workflows.
- Walmart opens hosted U.S. fulfillment to Chinese goods Walmart Inc. has updated its Walmart Cross Border ocean shipping solution to provide seaborne transportation from select ports of loading in China to hosted Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) facilities in the U.S.
- EXCLUSIVE: Zenni focuses digital innovation on the customer Zenni Optical keeps an eye on shoppers as it develops leading-edge and artificial intelligence-based solutions. Chain Store Age sat down with Dr. Steven Lee, director of digital innovation at Zenni Optical, to discuss how advanced technology is impacting the retail landscape.
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- Tractor Supply Company streamlines store operations with AI Tractor Supply Company is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to enhance the customer and employee experience. The nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer has rolled out the Co-Pilot AI platform from store operations technology provider Quorso.
- eBay launches major search redesign eBay has released a new search interface intended to provide a more seamless and visually rich user experience, with features including larger, high-resolution images, a modernized layout, and streamlined navigation.
- Macy’s personalizes, expands online offers with AI Macy’s Inc. is using artificial intelligence from AI-based e-commerce solutions provider Rokt to provide online shoppers with relevant post-purchase promotions from partner brands.
- Ace Hardware deploys digital shelf labels, IoT cloud platform Ace Hardware is digitalizing store operations. The hardware co-op is implementing advanced digital shelf label (DSL) technology from VusionGroup across its stores.
- Wendy’s expands AI drive-thru, pilots Spanish-language version The Wendy’s Company is building upon a pilot of artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud drive-thru technology. It is expanding the use of its “FreshAI” platform which includes Google Cloud solutions such as the Looker business intelligence and analytics tool, as well as the Anthos modernization platform.
