NIQ announces the 2025 North American Breakthrough Innovation Award winners
Recognizing visionary brands driving impact, growth, and consumer connection.
Technology
Walmart teams with OpenAI to create AI-first shopping experiences
Partnership will allow customers and members to complete purchases from Walmart directly within ChatGPT.
Kearney: Agentic AI on the rise
‘An arms race is underway — not for stores or clicks but for algorithmic preference.’
SPAR Group strengthens leadership team
SPAR Group, Inc. has appointed retail technology veteran Josh Jewett as Chief Technology Officer.
Shipt unveils chat to cart feature
Shipt is teaming up with Perplexity, the AI-powered answer engine, to make shopping even more seamless and personalized with its Comet browser.
Instacart and Advantage partner to deliver real-time shelf data
CPGs will gain immediate alerts on availability, pricing, and placement, enabling quick in-store action and validation.
Instacart Caper Cart offers new omnichannel capabilities
Instacart has added new savings features to its AI-powered Caper Carts, including on-cart loyalty sign-up.
Swish raises seed funding to redefine CPG product sampling
Swish delivers full-size, in-stock CPG products as free samples directly within shoppers’ grocery orders.
AI becomes retail’s new gatekeeper, Acosta Group finds
“Generative AI tools are becoming the new gatekeepers of the shopper journey,” said John Carroll, President of Connected Commerce at Acosta Group.
GK adds QuikQ to growing list of fuel partners
With QuikQ now certified on the GK platform, c-stores can accept QuikQ fuel cards—offering drivers greater flexibility and security at thousands of locations nationwide.
NIQ launches Product Insights in Canada
The solution offers retailers and manufacturers access to over 550 product attributes to better understand consumer demand and competition.
dunnhumby launches innovation incubation program for retail entrepreneurs
Incubate provides early-stage companies in data science, AI, retail tech, and customer experience a chance to work with dunnhumby’s top experts and clients.
Target increases delivery to close gap with Amazon and Walmart
Target is betting that combining store-based fulfillment with faster delivery options will help it regain momentum after four years of sluggish sales and heightened competition.
Birdzi develops DataScope tool working with Tops Friendly Markets
DataScope, powered by Birdzi’s industry-leading customer intelligence platform, delivers grocers access to actionable shopper insights more quickly and easily.
Albertsons taps Google Cloud to power next-Gen grocery innovation
With over 13 million monthly users, Albertsons Cos. expands its digital ecosystem using Google’s AI commerce tech, making shopping more predictive and effortless.
Wayvia names Theresa Pham Head of Product
The omnicommerce enablement company enhances its leadership by appointing a veteran product leader to drive upcoming innovation.