Tech: Robotics

  1. Data & Insights

Non-Traditional Fresh Food Retailers Are Disrupting the Industry in 2025

  When Ronald Reagan famously declared, “Tear down this wall,” he wasn’t talking about the barriers in fresh food retail—but today, those walls are crumbling faster than ever. In 2025, the food industry has fully entered a phase of accelerated channel blurring and consumer-driven disruption. What was once the realm of traditional grocers is now […]
5 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Staples Streamlines Fulfillment with Warehouse Management Solution

Over the past 18 months, Staples has implemented a Manhattan Associates cloud-native warehouse management solution at nine of its U.S.-based B2B fulfillment locations, and the retailer plans to deploy the Manhattan Active Warehouse Management (WM) technology at a total of 14 fulfillment centers by the end of 2026. The entire Staples U.S. fulfillment network encompasses […]
2 min read
0
  1. Shopper & Customer

Restaurant Leaders Confront the Future: Why Reinvention, Not Nostalgia, Will Define the Next Era of Dining

  As chain restaurant executives gather in Chicago, the stakes have never been higher. Traditional strategies rooted in brand protectionism are crumbling under the weight of rising costs, labor shortages, and fierce competition from non-traditional food outlets. According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Foodservice Solutions®, the path to survival is not resistance but […]
5 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Morrisons deploys Point of Sale solutions powered by NCR Voyix Commerce Platform

UK grocery giant Morrisons has selected NCR Voyix to provide its stores with PoS solutions powered by the NCR Voyix Commerce Platform. It is expanding an existing partnership by rolling out this new technology at over 13,000 checkout lanes across nearly 500 stores in a five-year contract. As part of the deal, Morrisons’ refreshed software-as-a-service […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

IGD: automation, AI, robotics not just a luxury but a necessity for under pressure food industry

A new Economic Viewpoint report from IGD, Institute of Grocery Distribution, highlights the need for accelerated AI and robotics adoption to combat labour costs, ensure resilience and meet future food demands. A perfect storm is brewing in the food system, according to the report. Rising labour costs, geopolitical risks, and inflation are creating a challenging […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Morrisons becomes first UK retailer to deploy Simbe Tally robot as select stores trial the technology

In a UK first, Morrisons is testing out Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot. Thanks to Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panels for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards and 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, for bringing this to our attention. In a LinkedIn post, he said: […]
3 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Why Gap Turned to Robots for an Unpopular Fulfillment Task — Unloading Boxes

Among the many tough jobs in a distribution center, unloading boxes from a trailer is one of the toughest. “There’s a higher risk of injury than in other parts of the DC, and unloading was a job that very few people liked to do,” said Kevin Kuntz, SVP of Global Logistics and Operations at Gap. […]
4 min read
0
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

Ocado CEO Tim Steiner slips into hot seat at online retailer’s technology division Ocado Solutions

Ocado Group reports that CEO Tim Steiner will temporarily lead Ocado Solutions, the company’s technology sub-unit. The move comes as current boss, John Martin, steps down after 18 months in the role, having taken over in 2023 from Luke Jensen. James Matthews, the current CEO at Ocado Technology, will also become Deputy CEO of the […]
4 min read
0
  1. Channel: Mass

Walmart Leverages Geospatial Tech to Expand Delivery to 12 Million New Households

Walmart has deployed geospatial technology to create a data science model that divides geographic areas into precise hexagonal grids, with the goal of optimizing delivery zones for greater efficiency. Redefining how it maps delivery areas has allowed Walmart to expand its reach to 12 million additional households across the U.S., increasing consumer access to same-day […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Buzzwords, cop outs, and new homes: ten key takeaways from an electric Retail Technology Show 2025

Retail Technology Show took place last week at London Excel. And it was really rather good. Here are our ten key takeaways from a fantastic two days of cutting-edge tech, fantastic networking opportunities, and thought provoking conference sessions. 1. Move to London Excel pays off Whilst we will miss the eccentric charm of London Olympia, […]
6 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Digital Food Multitasking: Can Foodservice Keep Up?

  The landscape of food marketing is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by Gen Z and Gen Alpha—generations of digital natives who redefine how, when, and where they interact with food. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the “I want it now” mentality has reached unparalleled heights. These emerging consumer […]
3 min read
0
  1. Operations & Supply Chain

FedEx Launches Returns Service with 3,000 Dropoff Locations

FedEx has introduced FedEx Easy Returns, a box- and label-free returns solution supported by approximately 3,000 brick-and-mortar dropoff locations that include FedEx Office and Kohl’s stores. When the program, powered by Blue Yonder, officially begins this summer, it will route returned items through a reverse logistics facility for optimal recovery, helping retailers ensure accuracy and […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Prime Markets becomes first retailer in Saudi Arabia to bring Tally inventory robot to stores

Simbe reports a partnership with Universal Cold Store (Prime Markets), a grocery retail chain in Saudi Arabia, involving the introduction of its autonomous robot, Tally. In a first for the region, the aim here is to enhance inventory management, improve pricing accuracy, and elevate the customer experience across select Prime Markets locations. Tally autonomously roams […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

From Hospitals to Homes: How Robotics Will Change Your Life in 2025

The robotics industry is experiencing rapid advancements, transforming various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and food automation. As we enter 2025, the demand for robotics across multiple sectors is skyrocketing. From healthcare to home automation, robotics is a futuristic dream and a present-day reality. Among the fastest-growing segments are medical and kitchen robotics, transforming industries […]
< 1 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Okay, I’m Starting to Think AI Can Do My Job After All

We’re publishing today’s story in partnership with Boston Globe Ideas, We’re publishing today’s story in partnership with Boston Globe Ideas, I’ve had a gnawing feeling lately about AI. Although the prophecies that chatbots would take our jobs have so far been false, the underlying technology’s evolution is making me believe it may soon automate much […]
6 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

lululemon goes large in London: these are our most read retail technology articles from last week

Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Pricer, Focal Systems, FuturMaster, PlaniSense, M-Cube, Dolce&Gabbana, Max Retail, Shopify, Currys, Ikea, and Etsy. lululemon opens largest flagship store in EMEA to date as Regent Street, London location sees double Performance apparel, footwear, and accessories brand, lululemon, is relocating its […]
5 min read
0
  1. Operations & Supply Chain

Leveraging Voice-Directed Picking to Optimize Multichannel Fulfillment

The pressures on retailers to seamlessly fulfill orders across physical stores, online platforms and mobile apps continue to intensify. Whether shipping directly to customers’ homes, enabling curbside pickup or restocking store shelves, consistently improving speed, accuracy and adaptability is crucial for meeting shopper expectations and maintaining market share. As digital commerce expands and consumers increasingly […]
5 min read
0
  1. Data & Insights

How Food Retailers Can Add New Electricity to Their Brand

  In today’s dynamic food retail landscape, relevance drives trial and adoption according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer preferences evolve, food retailers must continually seek the “new electricity” to propel their brand forward. But what exactly is this new electricity? According to industry expert Johnson, “Brand relevance […]
3 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Boom Times For ChatGPT

ChatGPT vs. the competition. Source: SimilarWeb ChatGPT is booming. After months of stagnant usage in early 2024, the chatbot hit an inflection point and is now far outpacing its competition, according to new data from analytics firm Similarweb. OpenAI’s flagship bot hit 3.8 billion visits on desktop and mobile web in January 2025, more than […]
5 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

A quick look at how gardening technology is revolutionising horticulture

Tech innovations have made our lives easier in every way over recent years. From smart home technology to the tech tools we need to do our jobs better, there’s no end to the possibilities the latest developments provide. More recently, tech has also started to make its way into the natural world, and many of […]
4 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Walmart Makes Deal to Purchase Robotics Tech for 400 Pickup and Delivery Centers

Walmart will sell its Advanced Systems and Robotics business to Symbotic for $200 million. As part of the deal, the robotics solution provider will engage in a Walmart-funded development program to enhance the retailer’s current online pickup and delivery fulfillment systems. Walmart has committed to purchasing and deploying systems from Symbotic for 400 Accelerated Pickup […]
2 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

AI Successes from L’Oréal, Lowe’s and Walmart Bring Context to the AI Conversation

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a headline topic at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show, and NVIDIA is undoubtedly one of the companies leading the industry’s innovation in this sector. Typically known for its Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which power breakthrough technologies for companies like Meta and Open AI, NVIDIA is now staking a […]
4 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

Including Simbe, Whatnot, bpost, and DoorDash: this week’s biggest retail technology stories

2025 is up and running, it’s nearly the weekend, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here’s your briefing on the most important stories from the past few days, including N Brown Group, Akeneo, Ibotta, PittaRosso, Scarpe&Scarpe, Impact Analytics, Dentsu, Differin, and Dubit. 1. N Brown wraps […]
7 min read
0
  1. Technology & Innovation

“Sometimes I Forget I’m Paralyzed.” How Neuralink’s First Patient Found Freedom by Connecting His Brain to a Computer.

Noland Arbaugh and his mother Mia The desert daylight was fading when Noland Arbaugh DM’d me to drive over to his Yuma, Arizona home. The 30-year-old quadriplegic cannot operate a phone by hand, can’t type on a laptop, and wasn’t able to fully operate a computer a year ago. But using just the thoughts in […]
7 min read
0

Trending Topics

Editor’s Choice

  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Media & Marketing
  3. Data & Insights
  4. Technology & Innovation
  5. Trends & External Forces

Charted: How Do U.S. Universities Make Their Money?

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: How Are American Universities Funded? This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways More than half of American public college and […]
Written by
  1. Channel: Delivery
  2. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  3. Corporate Strategy
  4. Media & Marketing
  5. Data & Insights
  6. Technology & Innovation

Week in Review: Instacart CEO heads to OpenAI

Welcome back to Week in Review! We’ve got lots of news for you this week: There were CEO shake-ups at Instacart and 11x; the web series is back — kind of; Threads is getting video ads; and much more. Let’s get to it! Big move: Instacart CEO Fidji Simo will become OpenAI’s CEO for Applications, […]
Written by
  1. Technology & Innovation
  2. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  3. Channel: Mass
  4. Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers
  5. Corporate Strategy
  6. Corporate Finance
  7. Corporate Purpose
  8. Media & Marketing
  9. Data & Insights
  10. International
  11. Technology & Innovation
  12. Trends & External Forces
  13. Retail Operations
  14. Associates & Employees
  15. Operations & Supply Chain
  16. Stores & Formats

What’s next for Instacart as CEO Fidji Simo announces decision to join OpenAI as head of applications?

Instacart CEO Fidji Simo is departing the grocery technology company to join OpenAI as its Chief of Applications. In an email to employees, she said: “Let me start by saying this was an incredibly hard decision because I love this company. We are operating incredibly well as our last earnings results have shown. Our strategy […]
Written by
  1. Technology & Innovation
  2. Channel: Dollar/Value
  3. Channel: Grocery
  4. Channel: Mass
  5. Department & Category
  6. Department: Nonfood
  7. Corporate Strategy
  8. Media & Marketing
  9. Data & Insights
  10. Shopper & Customer
  11. Technology & Innovation
  12. Trends & External Forces
  13. Retail Operations
  14. Merchandising
  15. Operations & Supply Chain
  16. Stores & Formats

Personalized Disruption: Grocery’s Secret to Breaking Old Habits

There’s no shortage of talk about technology that’s going to redefine, dominate, or transform retail this year. Much of this language boils down to marketing speech, and often, true industry disruption fails to materialize. There is no shortage of tech hyperbole in retail. But then there’s the occasional exception — a technology that genuinely does […]
Written by
  1. Shopper & Customer
  2. Department: Nonfood
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
  6. Technology & Innovation
  7. Trends & External Forces
  8. Holiday & Events
  9. Operations & Supply Chain

State of the Consumer Report

[Week of May 9] Timely insights on consumer behavior, pricing, and retail trends This weekly snapshot highlights the most relevant signals shaping where and how consumers are spending—from e-commerce and inflation shifts to essential vs. discretionary demand. What you’ll get from this week’s report: Cross-border e-commerce slowdown: Learn how tariff pressures are reshaping sales trends […]
Written by

Trending