Retail Technology News: September update
Retailers in September 2025 focused technology efforts in areas including autonomous robots, augmented reality and demand forecasting.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in September, starting with the most recent.
DoorDash launches proprietary delivery robot Global on-demand delivery platform is launching "Dot," an autonomous robot built to travel on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks and driveways that is specifically designed for local delivery.
At one-tenth the size of an average car, Dot can reach speeds of up to 20 mph with an all-electric design and can use AI to optimize its delivery route.
Target rolls out accessible self-checkout for disabled customers Target Corp. is deploying what it calls a first-of-its-kind self-checkout solution designed for shoppers who are blind or low-vision and/or have motor disabilities.
The solution integrates seamlessly with Target’s existing self-checkout system and is designed to be intuitive to use independently. Customers hear every screen and payment prompt through one seamless audio stream.
DSW offers kids immersive augmented reality foot measurement DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is leveraging leading-edge augmented reality technology to make footwear shopping more engaging for kids. The footwear retailer is rolling out the Tootsie AR foot scanning solution from Aetrex.
After completing a foot scan, kids use a Meta Quest 3 or 3S virtual reality headset to see a friendly monster character called “Tootsie” virtually come to life in the DSW store with activities such as interactive dance-offs.
LensCrafters rolls out new Roblox experience for virtual ‘tycoons’ LensCrafters is building on its presence on the popular Roblox immersive gaming platform. The company is launching what is known as a "tycoon" game on Roblox, which lets players grow a business by earning and reinvesting virtual currency, often through idle or incremental gameplay.
The new LensCrafters game is called "LensCrafters: Vision Tycoon" and allows players to build, manage, and expand their own virtual LensCrafters stores within the Roblox metaverse environment.
- Sephora launching shoppable digital storefronts for influencers Sephora is providing content creators with the chance to engage in affiliate sales on its site. The beauty giant is rolling out My Sephora Storefront, an affiliate platform that allows U.S. influencers to build shoppable digital storefronts and share curated product recommendations with their followers.
Carhartt centralizes global inventory and supply planning Carhartt is deploying the AI-based supply chain and retail planning platform from Relex Solutions. The retailer’s supply chain challenges include accurately forecasting demand across diverse markets, as well as navigating seasonal fluctuations and its complex product mix.
Leveraging Relex technology, Carhartt hopes to benefit from automating and optimizing the product plans of production sites by calculating accurate production proposals to meet demand and target stocks.
- Amazon adds agentic AI to seller listing tool Amazon is upgrading its Seller Assistant tool to include agentic AI capabilities. Amazon says the new agentic AI capabilities are designed to work seamlessly throughout the entire selling experience. Seller Assistant can now monitor account health and optimizes inventory, as well as anticipate sellers’ needs, develop strategic solutions, and act when authorized.
- Sam’s Club provides store managers with generative AI tools Sam’s Club is providing store managers enterprise-grade tools equipped with ChatGPT, the generative AI engine from OpenAI. According to Sam’s Club, AI is automating and improving back-end manager workflows to allow them to focus more on customer- and employee-facing activities.
City Furniture expands 3D product configuration offering City Furniture is launching the new 3D Cloud Sectional Configurator solution on its e-commerce site. The hybrid shopping tool enables customers and sales associates to build sectionals, review dimensions and download 3D Cloud AR solutions.
The configurator is available for use with a store associate during showroom visits. Customers can configure layouts with endless variations, select fabric choices and choose components directly on the product page. Dimensions update automatically as pieces are added, removed or rearranged and customers can visualize a configuration in their space.
- Schnuck Markets optimizes, automates fresh food operations Schnuck Markets Inc. is enhancing the efficiency and precision of fresh food operations across its entire store network by deploying Logile fresh item management solutions to modernize its fresh food operations. The regional Midwest grocer seeks to optimize forecasting, standardize recipe management and automate compliance tracking leveraging Logile technology.
