Retail Technology News: May Update
Figure AI robots are rolling out in the Catalyst Brands supply chain.
Retailers in May 2026 focused technology efforts in areas including robotic humanoids, smart glasses, and mobile-first POS.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in May, starting with the most recent.
- Food City to digitally connect stores By deploying the Homesome enterprise, fulfillment, and artificial intelligence platforms, Food City intends to develop a complete e-commerce site and mobile app that are purpose-built to translate its in-store experience into a digital presence the retailer owns and controls. The experience will include fulfillment operations and personalization capabilities designed for the specific demands of high-volume grocery operations.
- JCPenney parent Catalyst Brands enters humanoid robot partnership Catalyst Brands is launching a commercial partnership with humanoid robotics company Figure AI Inc. The companies aim to automate repetitive, physically demanding sorting and packing tasks, freeing human associates to focus on higher-skill functions. As the collaboration begins, the two companies will identify optimal use cases for humanoid automation throughout Catalyst Brands’ operations.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods rolling out Agentic AI 'coaches' in June Dick’s Sporting Goods is partnering with Adobe to launch “Coach by Dick’s,” an agentic AI-based personal assistant designed to support customers throughout their entire shopping journey, in its mobile app beginning in June 2026. Coach by Dick’s is built on the Adobe Brand Concierge solution using the retailer’s content and knowledge.
- Lowe’s launches AI quoting tool for home improvement professionals Lowe’s is introducing a new AI-based tool called Material Lists which converts handwritten notes, photos, spreadsheets and other supported file types into quote-ready orders in minutes, with support for both the English and Spanish languages. The solution leverages in-house-developed SKU matching and automated list digitization technology and is designed to reduce manual entry and simplify the estimating process.
- Warby Parker partners with Google, Samsung on new smart glasses Warby Parker is unveiling its first intelligent eyewear frame a year after the announcement of the concept. Built in partnership with Google and Samsung, the frames feature the Google Gemini agentic AI model and work with the Android XR operating system for AI-enabled headsets and glasses to provide contextual, real-time assistance.
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- Albertsons launches proprietary computer vision tool for supply chain Albertsons Companies Inc. is rolling out its AI-based, patent-pending Intelligent Quality Control tool. Built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, the solution uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise agentic AI platform, including Vision AI and Gemini models, to support the retailer’s produce quality inspection teams.
- ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’ launches shoppable content Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is partnering with influencer-guided shopping platform LTK to provide shoppable experiences in the LTK app, across its social platforms, and on its own website. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit official profile on the LTK app, launched with the publication’s recently released annual issue, offers shoppable visual content and editorial features throughout the year.
- Boot Barn to deploy mobile-first POS platform A rapidly growing retailer of Western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories will deploy the cloud-based, mobile-first Aptos One POS platform across its 500-plus U.S. locations. By transitioning to this solution, Boot Barn aims to streamline IT operations and enable store associates to deliver high-touch shopping experiences.
- Taco John’s migrates enterprise to the cloud Taco John’s has fully deployed its core solutions, including POS, loyalty and digital ordering, to a cloud-based platform. The retailer says this modernized architecture has increased operational agility, allowing it to roll out limited-time offers, pricing updates and cross-channel promotions more efficiently and consistently across brick-and-mortar and digital channels.
- Kohl’s provides Agentic AI tools for shoppers, associates Kohl’s new gift finder is a conversational AI agent built on the Google Cloud Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience platform. The agent is designed to act as a dedicated shopping companion, offering personalized gift ideas based on the intended recipient’s interests, hobbies and style.
