Retail Technology News: October update
Jack in the Box gamified Halloween in October.
Retailers in October 2025 focused technology efforts in areas including robotic workers, fulfillment automation, and gamification.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in October, starting with the most recent.
- Walmart unveils five new AI-powered in-store shopping tools Walmart is leaning into AI to help drive in-store shopping and improve the customer experience. Just in time for holiday shopping, the retail giant is launching five new AI-powered digital tools designed to make in-store shopping easier and faster.
- Amazon reportedly plans to replace 600,000 workers with robots Amazon’s robotic automation efforts may wind up in the company cutting its human U.S. workforce roughly in half. An internal corporate memo obtained by the New York Times indicates Amazon thinks the increasing usage of robots could enable to it replace more than 500,000 U.S. human employees and avoid having to bring on another 160,000 workers by 2027.
- Albertsons deploys AI-based replenishment across all fresh departments Albertsons is matching demand with sales for fresh products throughout all its store brands. The grocery giant has completed nationwide rollout of the Afresh Fresh Replenishment solution across multiple banners in its bakery, deli, meat and seafood, and produce departments. The solution applies AI and data modeling to align ordering, inventory and demand understanding for thousands of perishable items with what is ordered or sold.
- White Castle debuts tech-enabled store prototype in Ohio White Castle s is introducing a new connected store model it calls the "Castle of Tomorrow." Its kitchen features the latest in restaurant technology, including the newest version of the Miso Robotics Flippy robotic fry station assistant, which White Castle deployed in 100 stores in 2022, and several solutions designed to ease the process of ordering, paying for and picking up food.
- Macy’s opens leading-edge automated fulfillment center Macy’s Inc. has opened its largest and most technologically advanced supply chain facility to date. Located in China Grove, N.C., the fulfillment and store replenishment center is part of the retailer’s broader strategy known as "Bold New Chapter," which aims to simplify and modernize Macy’s end-to-end operations.
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- DoorDash teams with Waymo in latest autonomous delivery pilot DoorDash Inc. is testing the use of self-driving vehicles for deliveries in a major Southwest market. The on-demand delivery platform is piloting an autonomous delivery service in the metro Phoenix area with Waymo, the Google self-driving vehicle subsidiary. Testing of the service in metro Phoenix is now underway, with plans to launch broader commercial operations later in 2025.
- Dollar Tree optimizes workforce management Dollar Tree Inc. is automating store-level tasks and streamlining employee interactions. The discounter is deploying the Legion workforce management platform in an effort to better manage its labor budget while also increasing employee engagement across its North American fleet of stores and distribution centers.
- Gap Inc. launches platform, affiliate program for creators Gap Inc. is launching a new program for creators as part of an effort to ensure its brands remain at the forefront of cultural conversation. The apparel giant is debuting a creator affiliate and social media advocacy platform designed to serve as a centralized hub for creators to engage across its banners.
- Jack in the Box promotes app usage with gamified Halloween promotion Jack in the Box offered "DealQuest: Revenge of the Munchies," a choose-your-own-adventure game available in its app through Halloween. Players entered the virtual game environment in the Jack in the Box app, met the “Jack Box” mascot character in a spooky restaurant, and soon found themselves teaming up with Jack Box to fight off a legion of evil “AI Munchie Meals.”
- 7-Eleven Japan partners to develop humanoid robotic workers 7-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd. has entered into a partnership that will result in the deployment of AI-equipped robots in its stores. The Japanese operator and franchisor of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan is teaming with robotics company Telexistence to advance the creation of “Astra,” a humanoid robot powered by generative AI.
