#retail-technology

#retail-technology

Walmart is testing advertising within its new AI-powered shopping assistant, Sparky, as part of a broader push to reshape digital retail experiences. Introduced to the company's mobile app in June, Sparky functions like a conversational agent, helping users compare products, summarise reviews, and suggest items for different occasions. Sources familiar with the initiative say Walmart has been experimenting with a format called "Sponsored Prompt," which integrates ads directly into Sparky's chat interface.

Keychain connects over 20,000 brands and retailers with 30,000 vetted manufacturers through AI-powered matching technology that eliminates these bottlenecks, turning product ideas into structured, searchable data that accelerates sourcing from months to days. The platform launched KeychainOS for manufacturers in February 2024, then immediately faced demand from retailers who needed the same end-to-end visibility for their private label programs- a signal that drove the company to develop Keychain360, a supply chain management platform designed specifically for retail private label operations.

The way we shop is changing, and as digital currencies continue to gain momentum, we're seeing a shift away from more traditional payment methods as the retail space continues to make leaps and bounds in technological advancements. Whilst these advancements were previously mostly evident in the eCommerce landscape, we're beginning to see crypto making its way into brick-and-mortar stores as a viable payment option.

The EU's MiCA 2025 is significantly altering the landscape for crypto casinos by implementing new KYC/AML regulations alongside stricter licensing requirements, aiming to safeguard gamblers in the EU.

Boost inc's impressive growth signals a burgeoning demand for unattended retail solutions, with innovative technologies making access and purchasing more convenient for consumers.

Hetal Retail has raised $6.4M in funding, completed by twenty-nine investors, aimed at enhancing retail shelf management through intelligence and analytics.