Retail Technology News: January update

Amazon integrated Alexa voice technology into select BMW models in January.

Retailers in January 2025 focused technology efforts in areas including agentic AI, RFID and robotics.

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

Temu opens platform to global retailers in new partnership Temu is providing online retailers globally a streamlined way to manage their supply chain while selling on its digital marketplace. Existing and new Temu listings can be linked to Linnworks inventory items for seamless stock and price updates.
EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Albertsons builds on success of in-house media network Albertsons Companies Inc. continues expanding the scope and capabilities of its Albertsons Media Collective retail media arm. Executives spoke with Chain Store Age about how and why the grocery giant developed its media network, the results it has obtained and the vision for the future.
eBay pilots agentic AI assistant eBay is participating in the research preview of Operator, a new agentic AI solution from OpenAI which interacts with users in a conversational style that mimics human interaction and uses machine learning to continually refine and improve its responses.
McDonald’s renews AI support of finance, HR functions McDonald’s Corp. is entering a multi-year extension of its strategic partnership with Cognizant. This renewed agreement will focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance staff enablement, customer experience and operational efficiency.
2025: The year RFID breaks through There is finally widespread industry consensus that RFID provides value, and on how and why it does so. Specific use cases include evolving tags and readers, channel diversification, and fraud deterrence.

Walmart enters $500 million-plus robotics deal with Symbotic Walmart has chosen artificial intelligence-enabled robotics technology provide Symbotic Inc. to take over its advanced systems and robotics division.
Best Buy to launch online marketplace in summer 2025 Best Buy plans to roll out a new digital platform called Best Buy Marketplace in summer 2025. The retailer is partnering with digital marketplace solution provider Mirakl to allow third-party sellers to seamlessly integrate their products into its e-commerce site and app.
EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Ulta Beauty enhances personalization of loyalty program Ulta Beauty recently implemented the Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Capabilities (CDP) solution in an effort to more effectively utilize loyalty program data and enable more detailed and accurate customer audience segmentation.
Foot Locker brand expands mobile POS installation Foot Locker’s WSS brand stepped up its mobile point-of-sale (POS) game just in time for the holidays — and more devices are on the way. Dozens of WSS stores went live with the Aptos One POS platform just prior to the holiday shopping season.
Amazon integrates Alexa into BMW cars During 2025, Amazon and BMW will start rolling out large language model-based generative AI capabilities as part of a beta in select vehicles and countries, which will include the ability to plan trips and navigate more conversationally.