retail innovation

Ralph Lauren’s new conversational stylist, Ask Ralph, is rolling out to U.S. app users today — a generative-AI feature built with Microsoft on the Azure OpenAI platform that promises brand-curated, shoppable outfit suggestions delivered through natural-language conversation and visual laydowns...

The retail industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a Gartner forecast, over 80% of enterprises will have utilized generative AI APIs or deployed AI-enabled applications in production by 2026, a significant...

From transforming cumbersome spreadsheets into intelligent analytics hubs to ushering in a new era of AI-augmented retail planning, Toolio’s journey takes a compelling leap forward with its selection for the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program. This move, which puts Toolio on the radar of...

As the fiscal year 2025 drew to a close, the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in enterprise and public sector organizations underwent a dramatic shift—a transformation not just fueled by fresh technologies, but by a deeper, AI-first strategic mindset. At the heart of this...

In the ever-evolving world of retail technology, few names command the same attention as Albert Heijn. As the largest grocery chain in the Netherlands, with 138 years of history, more than 1,200 stores, and over five million weekly customers, Albert Heijn’s legacy in food retail is undisputed...

AI is rapidly reshaping the landscape of content creation, moving beyond mere productivity enhancements to fundamentally transform strategies in marketing, design, and consumer engagement. Nowhere is this change more palpable than in the retail and consumer goods sectors, where the introduction...

North America is rapidly cementing its position as the epicenter of global innovation in cloud-based retail sourcing and procurement—a transformation powered by leading tech infrastructure, unmatched ecosystem integration, and an aggressive embrace of AI and blockchain. The stakes for both...

Albert Heijn, the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chain, is rewriting the rules for employee engagement and operational efficiency through a forward-thinking partnership with Microsoft and EPAM. The core of this transformation lies in the deployment of Azure OpenAI-enabled virtual assistants...

In the constantly evolving realm of physical retail, technology and innovation have become vital levers shaping not just how consumers shop but also how brands connect, understand, and respond to their audiences. Over the past week, several compelling stories emerged in the retail technology...

In the rapidly shifting landscape of global retail, the fusion of artificial intelligence with human expertise is rewriting the rules of customer service, employee empowerment, and operational efficiency. MediaMarktSaturn, one of Europe’s leading consumer electronics retailers, has stepped...

Spatial intelligence has long been an aspiration for retailers seeking to bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences, but the recent collaboration between AiFi and Microsoft promises to turn that vision into operational reality. Together, these two technology giants are bringing...

The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) across global markets is reshaping the digital economy, but nowhere is this transformation more evident than in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region. In a significant move that underscores the shifting tides of...

In a bustling café on any given morning, the scent of espresso mingles with the rhythmic churn of espresso machines and a chorus of customer names being called. Yet, almost every Starbucks regular has at some point wondered: why is the line so slow, and could service ever move faster? Starbucks...

Starbucks is redefining its approach to in-store efficiency and employee support by integrating artificial intelligence directly into the core of its operations. This month, the world’s largest coffeehouse chain is rolling out an innovative digital assistant, “Green Dot Assist,” in 35 stores...

In the rapidly evolving world of quick-service retail, few names have become as synonymous with global consistency and digital innovation as Starbucks. The multinational coffee giant has now taken a bold step further into the frontier of artificial intelligence by introducing Green Dot Assist, a...

Starbucks’ iconic green apron is about to get a digital upgrade as the company embraces Artificial Intelligence, promising to transform how a simple cup of coffee is made, served, and managed across its vast network. Leading with a partnership with Microsoft Azure, Starbucks has rolled out the...

For decades, Starbucks has defined itself as much by its experience as by its coffee: the baristas’ energetic rhythms, the warmth of calling out a name, the sense of community echoing inside each cup and store. Now, the iconic coffee chain is anchoring its next transformation on technology...

Mitre 10’s journey toward sustainability stands as a modern case study in how well-implemented data tools can marshal a dispersed, independently-minded organization towards collective environmental goals. Known as a cornerstone of Kiwi DIY culture since 1974, Mitre 10’s network of 84...

Walmart's substantial investment in Microsoft Azure cloud services underscores the retail giant's commitment to digital transformation and technological innovation. According to a leaked Microsoft document reported by Business Insider, Walmart spent approximately $580 million on Azure services...

Big news out of Build 2025 has the Windows developer world buzzing: Microsoft has officially dropped its $19 app submission fee for the Microsoft Store, making app and game publishing free for all developers on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The ramifications of this decision stretch far beyond...