Retail Technology News: March update
Puma debuted an "AI store concierge."
Retailers in March 2026 focused technology efforts in areas including ChatGPT shopping, in-store AI assistance and unifying inventory and allocation.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in March, starting with the most recent.
- eBay teams with influencers for online guide to New York fashion resale eBay is launching “The NYC Edit,” a digital publication focused on what used fashion products leading New York style influencers are buying and selling on its platform. The guide is available on a dedicated section of the eBay site and features curated storefronts that customers can use to shop the pieces the influencers are buying and selling, as well as for suggestions on what to list for sale.
- Walmart introduces tailored ChatGPT environment Walmart is expanding the shopping features available to its customers in the ChatGPT model. The discount giant is partnering with OpenAI to deliver a new in-app ChatGPT shopping experience. The new experience lets Walmart shoppers go directly from discovery in ChatGPT into a customized Walmart environment that supports account linking, loyalty and Walmart payments.
- Facebook dives deeper into shopping Meta is making it easier for users to find and buy products across its Facebook platform. Under Meta’s new Facebook Affiliate partnerships, creators can now tag affiliate products directly in their Facebook posts and reels, with no link-in-bio, swipe up or looking in comments for a link. With the new program, creators can connect their accounts from the company’s affiliate program partners to Facebook and then can tag products directly in their photo posts and reels.
- Gap to deploy two AI technologies: personalized fit, checkout on Google Gemini Gap Inc. is set to deploy two new AI technologies designed to make online shopping simpler for customers. The company said it is introducing predictive sizing and AI-native commerce to reduce friction at two critical moments of the shopping experience: choosing the right size and completing the purchase.
- Puma to offer in-store AI customer assistant A global athletic footwear and apparel giant is introducing an interactive artificial intelligence tool for brick-and-mortar shoppers. Puma is exclusively debuting a multilingual, AI-equipped device it calls the “AI Store Concierge” at its Las Vegas flagship store in spring 2026. Shaped like a large display, AI Store Concierge will automatically detect the language a customer speaks and then via interactive conversation provide information about product, fit and technical details.
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- Lowe's to unify inventory, allocation platforms Lowe’s is expanding its partnership with Relex Solutions and Accenture to unify its inventory replenishment and allocation platform. The partnership, featuring Relex’s AI-driven technology and Lowe's proprietary supply chain technology, will enhance efficiency, improve inventory availability, and drive productivity across Lowe's stores, merchandising, and supply chain operations.
- White Castle expands robotic delivery partnership with Uber Eats White Castle is teaming up with Uber Eats and Serve Robotics to offer automated delivery. The legendary fast-food hamburger chain now offers robotic delivery via the Uber Eats on-demand delivery subsidiary of Uber, fulfilled by Serve autonomous sidewalk robots, from stores within the Serve delivery zone.
- Amazon opens ‘Shop Direct’ feature to third-party product feeds Amazon is enabling third-party product feeds including Feedonomics, Salsify, and CEDCommerce to automatically sync their catalog, pricing, and inventory in real-time with Shop Direct. Through feeds, retailers can provide real-time product information and reach Amazon customers via traditional search results as well as the retailer’s Rufus generative AI shopping assistant.
- Authentic Brands Group provides one-click purchase protection Global brand management company Authentic Brands Group is launching the Seel agentic post-purchase platform that includes the vendor’s “Worry-Free Purchase” program which features extended return windows, white-glove claims support and delay protection. Through a seamless one-click integration at checkout, customers can enroll in the program. Seel then manages claims, refunds, and support, including an AI-driven instant claim process reviews and approves claims immediately.
- Lane Bryant optimizes personalized online discounts Lane Bryant is deploying Metrical online personalization technology in an effort to deliver personalized content and targeted incentives only when they create incremental value, avoiding unnecessary discounting. Utilizing the Metrical solution, the retailer can adjust messaging, guidance and offers based on each shopper's behavior and intent.
