In this episode:

• Shoppers Are Embracing AI but Want Guardrails
• One-Third of Consumers Plan to Use AI for Holiday Shopping
• ChatGPT Lets Shoppers Buy Products Within the Platform
• Google Launches AI-Enabled Conversational Shopping
• Kroger Accelerates AI to Cut Costs, Boost Efficiency
• How Aldi Revamped Its Social Media Strategy
• Instacart Adds SNAP Tracking & Savings Tools to Smart Carts
• Amazon debuts single-tap “Add to Delivery” function
• Kroger to Use DoorDash’s DashMart for Delivery Fulfillment
• DoorDash Launches Proprietary Delivery Robot “Dot”
• Uber refreshes grocery delivery with new features and guarantees
• Aldi Joins Uber Eats for Nationwide Grocery Delivery
• Amazon Unifies Its Private-Label Grocery Lines Under “Amazon Grocery”
• Grocers aim to significantly increase private brand dollar share by 2027
• Amazon to close 14 UK Fresh stores, convert some into Whole Foods

In this episode:

• Online grocery sales top $11 billion in August, led by delivery
• Holiday sales could grow up to 3.4%: Deloitte
• Ulta targets wellness growth and raises full-year sales outlook
• Mass beauty outpaces prestige in the first half of 2025
• Ralph Lauren rolls out AI-powered assistant to dole out fashion advice
• Walmart Realm adds new digital storefronts to woo Gen Z
• How Instacart is upgrading smart carts to drive omnichannel shopping
• Amazon integrates Lens visual search with its AI shopping assistant
• Pinterest has effectively become an AI-enabled shopping assistant
• Holiday shoppers plan to use AI to compare prices
• Almost half of AI search tool users prefer them to Google
• Best Buy, Uber Eats partner on same-day delivery

In this episode we will discuss...

• Grocery e-commerce sales jump nearly 30% in June
• U.S. online grocery sales grew in June, but shoppers demand better digital experiences.
• Ebay is doubling down on its investments in AI-powered customer experience and employee productivity in the second second half of 2025.
• Ulta Beauty is shifting to AI agents following tech modernization, targeting improved customer experiences by 2025.
• Unifying its approach to the technology, Walmart launched a new companywide artificial intelligence framework centered around four “super agents” to support various business touchpoints.
• Seven in 10 luxury shoppers on TikTok have spent more than 1,000 pounds (approximately $1,355 at press time) on a single fashion item, typically after watching peer-led content.
• Google now displays Instagram posts in search results, targeting younger users who increasingly prefer social media over traditional search.
• As retailers face global headwinds going into the holidays, 78% of industry buyers say they have utilized AI-enabled tools to enhance buying activities.
• Over half (56%) of retail organizations have upped their generative AI investments compared to last year.
• OpenAI's rumored ChatGPT checkout system sparks retail startup concerns about pay-to-play bias.
• Kroger’s data arm 84.51° announced Wednesday the unification of its retail media, consumer insights and loyalty marketing services.

In this episode we will discuss

• Online summer sales expected to be the equivalent of ‘two Black Fridays’
• Prime Day order amount, household spend declines
• Prime Day drives $7.9 billion in first-day online spend
• Amazon reportedly shuttering Freevee streaming platform
• TikTok Shop debuts live price match
• Sephora partners to give shoppers rides to its stores
• Wegmans is testing smart carts from two providers at four stores in Upstate New York
• Afresh, a San Francisco-based grocery tech company, helps grocers like Albertsons and Stater Bros
• Mango and L’Oréal Paris are enhancing digital shopping with AI
• A new Altman Solon survey shows 93% of
• Roblox users have spent money on the platform, mostly on boosts and avatar upgrades

In this episode we will discuss...

• Tariffs are likely to drive Prime Day purchases
• Online grocery sales are growing rapidly, with a projected 8.9% annual growth rate through 2029
• Loyalty memberships may be the key for small and mid-sized grocery players to win back Walmart e-grocery shoppers, according to the Brick Meets Click April 2025 report 
• Amazon pilots audio product summaries
• Amazon Ads enhances generative AI capabilities
• Google is turning AI into a personal shopping assistant
• Google rolls out agenticAI checkout
• Walmart has launched “Ask Sparky,” a generative AI feature in its app that helps customers find products, synthesize reviews, and get recommendations using natural language
• Walmart’s new survey shows growing consumer trust in AI, with 27% preferring AI recommendations over influencer endorsements
• Roblox is expanding into physical retail, letting creators sell real items via virtual stores through a Shopify partnership
• Estée Lauder, Coty, and Ulta Beauty are accelerating AI use to cut costs, personalize messaging, and improve forecasting amid global and consumer shifts
• Instacart invites itself to the party with delivery app

In this episode we will discuss

• Walmart’s grocery sales reached $276B in FY2025, comprising nearly 60% of U.S. net sales.
• Instacart beat Wall Street estimates with its first-quarter results, recording a 14% year-over-year increase in orders.
• Walmart is expanding its beauty offerings with “Beauty Bars” in 40 stores, allowing customers to test products and consult experts.
• Amazon announced a July Prime Day with major deals in 35+ categories.
• Amazon’s new “Buy for Me” feature enables customers to purchase items from third-party websites directly within the Amazon Shopping app.
• Pinterest is expanding its visual search tools for women’s fashion in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., with plans to grow globally.
• Walmart opened its first Supercenter in four years in Cypress, Texas, debuting its new U.S. Store of the Future concept.
• Amazon is investing $4 billion by 2026 to expand its rural delivery network, adding over 200 new stations.

In this episode we will discuss...

• Amazon taps AI for automatic product recommendations
• Amazon adds new grocery tools to Alexa
• Walmart + Week is coming back at the end of April
• Amazon provides more details on Google-like 'Buy for Me' feature
• Google Shopping released a suite of AI tools for fashion and beauty products to help shoppers better visualize items
• Lowe’s launched Mylow, an AI-powered adviser developed in partnership with OpenAI
• Target leans on generative AI and social media to capture trends
• Walmart expands interactive media partnership with product videos
• Petco widens on-demand delivery offering with Uber Eats
• Uber brings robotic sidewalk delivery pilot to Miami
• Instacart expands partnership with Uber; delivers for Dierbergs Markets
• Best Buy launches creator platform with shoppable storefronts

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Sales at U.S. grocery stores will increase 3.1% this year to $1.6 trillion — a notable increase from the 1.1% sales growth the sector recorded last year.
• Amazon expected to surpass Walmart in revenue.
• Target aims to drive $15 billion-plus in sales growth.
• Amazon revamped its personal AI assistant to make Alexa more “conversational, smarter and personalized”.
• Amazon is testing a feature that allows its search results to show select products it does not sell with links out to the brand’s website.
• Amazon discontinued Inspire, its TikTok-style shopping feature, to focus on AI.
• Nearly 3 in 5 consumers have replaced traditional search with generative AI .
• 41% of U.S. beauty sales happen online.
• Walmart launched Walmart Unlimited, a gamified shopping experience targeting younger consumers.
• DoorDash is expanding grocery delivery, adding four new partners and major chains like Ahold Delhaize and Wakefern.
• L’Oreal opens $160 million North America innovation facility.

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Consumer spending forecast to grow 3.1% this year.
• More than 90% of consumers purchase groceries both in-store and online.
• Ulta Beauty is looking at how to best tap into its loyalty program data to power personalization, Josh Friedman, vice president of digital products at Ulta Beauty.
• Kroger launches virtual nutrition coaching program.
• Amazon to end Prime Try Before You Buy.
• TikTok is transforming digital commerce, driving sales and product discovery.
• Home Depot expands on demand delivery services.
• Uber Eats’ delivery demand is accelerating, with Q4 2024 gross bookings hitting $20.1 billion, up from $18.7 billion.
• Best Buy to launch third-party marketplace this summer.
• Amazon will shutter its Amazon Go convenience store in Woodland Hills, California.

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• US online holiday spending hit $241B, a new record!
• AI influenced over $229B in global holiday sales
• Ulta Beauty lets customers try out hair colors with AI
• Target debuted its Bullseye Gift Finder
• Albertsons serves up AI-driven personalization for alcohol and food
• Instacart links with Samsung on shoppable fridge tech
• L'Oréal develops skin assessment technology
• Best Buy launches scheduled parcel delivery
• Amazon develops next-gen delivery drone
• TalkShopLive takes on TikTok with short-form videos
• Best Buy will launch a U.S. thirdparty marketplace in mid-2025
• DoorDash is partnering with Ibotta, opening the delivery service’s customer base to Ibotta’s catalogue of coupons and deals

Some of the of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Shoppers planning to shop omni this holiday season
• Online holiday spending reached $77.4 billion from Nov. 1-24, up 9.6% year-over-year
• Social commerce predicted to reach $1 trillion by 2028
• Walmart virtual store with seasonal shopping features
• Ulta Beauty’s 2024 omni holiday marketing includes Roblox
• DoorDash launches shopping & gifting features
• American Eagle, WhatsApp team on Gen Z-focused holiday pilot
• Google Lens can now tailor search results to the store you’re in
• Amazon answers ultra-cheap Chinese marketplaces like Temu with ‘Amazon Haul’
• Instacart launching SNAP eligibility screener
• Amazon launches same-day drone delivery in Arizona
• Starbucks expands DoorDash delivery within its own app
• Walmart adds new online delivery option in Canada
• Wonder buys Grubhub for $650MM
• Amazon expands investment in startup AI developer by $4B
• Amazon Influencer Sues Rival Over 'Basic' Aesthetic: Can the Legal System Protect a Creator's Vibe?
• Target adds Bogg to its differentiated assortment

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Most consumers plan to shop online this holiday season
• Product review videos to influence holiday shopping
• Walmart+ membership fee slashed in half
• Amazon rolls out AI Shopping Guides for holidays and everyday
• Amazon tests personalized homepage features
• Walmart’s tests unique homepage for each shopper
• Amazon expands Rufus AI to Canadian shoppers via beta test
• Instacart adds games and coupons to its smart carts
• Amazon pilots small-format grocery “convenience store”
• Amazon to deploy AI tech in delivery vans
• Amazon closing brick-andmortar same-day delivery
• Tumbler manufacturer Stanley using AI to predict and prevent supply disruptions
• Amazon “unboxes” advertiser capabilities spanning AI, DSP and insights
• Walmart marketplace sellers have new AI assistant
• Ulta announces third accelerator cohort and launches inclusive digital space

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Gopuff launched several new in-app, in-bag and off-platform advertising capabilities to help brands connect with Gen Z and millennial consumers
• Amazon launches suite of visual search features
• Amazon adds PayPal payment option to Buy with Prime
• Albertsons is using artificial intelligence to assist distribution center buyers in placing store orders
• Giant Eagle has expanded its partnership with Flybuy, an AI-enabled omnichannel location platform
• Per Fiverr, ~43% of Gen Z shoppers plan to spend more for the holidays this year vs. 37% of Millennials.
• As Roblox looks to tie its platform to revenue opportunities, it has partnered with Shopify as its first commerce integration partnered to sell physical products in the metaverse
• Instacart built its reputation on being a last mile delivery partner.
• DoorDash launches new suite of digital business tools
• Amazon launches AIpowered video ad generator ahead of the holidays
• Amazon offers new rewards program to Business Prime members

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Amazon and Walmart to capture 25% of U.S. retail sales and 66% of online retail sales by 2029
• Amazon is officially kicking off its holiday promotional season with a sales event called Prime Big Deal Days
• Amazon adds annual plan to Prime grocery subscription
• Thrive Market connects brands to members
• Amazon to bring ads to Rufus AI search chatbot experience
• Google Shopping launches virtual dress try-ons in the US
• Bath & Body Works to launch AI fragrance finder
• Instacart offers personalized ways to save
• Amazon Fresh debuts 4 new grocery stores
• Family Dollar implements AI tech for category management
• Best Buy launches AIpowered delivery tracking
• Uber Eats is launching a pilot of emissions-free Coco sidewalk robots
• Amazon Fresh launches new value private brand
• Albertsons launches private label for treats and gifts
• Shopify and YouTube expand partnership
• Amazon is Terminating Smaller Vendor Agreements During Peak Season and Pushing Vendors to Seller Central

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• 84% of Amazon Prime Day customers shopped exclusively at Amazon, with only 16% shopping at one other promotional event
• Costco's July net sales reached $19.26 billion, a 7.1% year-over-year increase
• Walmart captured 37% of the Q2 U.S. online grocery market, climbing 1.5% marking its highest share to date
• Uber’s Q2 revenues rose 8% in delivery
• DoorDash bolsters membership plan with Max
• Amazon enables direct sales via TikTok, Pinterest

• Sam’s Club brings retail media to Scan & Go tool
• Costco cracks down on card sharing
• Amazon has developed an advanced AI model for its Just Walk Out checkout technology
• Sainsbury’s speeds up in-store shopping with AI
• Albertsons adds delivery and pickup via Instacart
• Aldi adding Instacart’s omnichannel tech to US stores
• Amazon has increased its same- or nextday delivery rate by 30% year-over-year
• Amazon brings seven-hour Prime delivery to Canada
• Instacart partners with Ibotta to deliver digital coupons
• Gopuff takes RMN in-house
• eBay is investing in improving digital experiences for buyers and sellers alike through Gen AI-powered tools
• Pet supplement brand Pet Honesty launches at Target

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• How many households will shop Prime Day?
• Target countered Prime Day with weeklong sales event
• Grocery helps make Walmart+ week in June preemptive success
• Instacart enables shoppable YouTube ads for CPG brands
• Walmart’s off-site customer journey insights for suppliers
• E.l.f. tests real-world commerce on Roblox
• Seasonal membership promotion at DoorDash
• Walmart and Hy-Vee are rolling out Electronic Price Tags in-Store
• Makeup by Mario launches AR mirror at Sephora
• Generative AI chatbot for store employees
• Perfect Corp. and Face Haus partner to bring AI skincare
• Sally Beauty expands sameday delivery with Instacart
• Albertsons enters e-com partnership with Grubhub
• Google pulls ahead of Amazon in robotaxi race
• Apple is an AI player – does it change the game for retailers?

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Walmart hosting summer sales blockbuster in June
• Per Signifyd Ecommerce Pulse data, online grocery sales rose 22% YoY in April 2024
• Per Numerator, Walmart’s hold on the grocery market continues to grow.
• Walmart expands metaverse
• Reebok launches AI sneaker experience on Instagram
• Etsy now lets gift shoppers upload video messages for recipients
• Amazon grows its roster of grocery delivery partners
• DoorDash expanding Ulta Beauty partnership
• Uber expands retail delivery with Costco partnership
• Instacart adds restaurant delivery with Uber Eats
• Amazon announced the launch of Amazon.co.za, providing customers in South Africa with a new online shopping experience
• Walmart announced it will close its physical and telehealth services due to a lack of profitability
• Walmart has partnered with pet virtual care company Pawp to offer free pet telehealth services to Walmart+ members
• Amazon drones can now fly farther and deliver to more customer following FAA approval
• Project Kuiper is actively deorbiting its two prototype satellites ahead of a full-scale deployment of its production satellite system

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Online grocery sales projected to reach almost $120b by 2028
• Amazon introduces Freevee and offers grocery subscription to Prime
• Walmart makes Roblox history with ‘real-world’ sales
• Best Buy debuts Apple Vision Pro app
• Amazon sets new shipping speed records in Q1 2024 and is returning with its Prime Day event for July
• Gopuff debuts 'Powered by Gopuff' platform for CPG brands
• Biden signs potential U.S. TikTok ban into law

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Google introduces new tools using AI for image generation and virtual try-on features

• Amazon rolls out Amazon One palm recognition app
• Ghiradelli optimizes visual e-commerce content with AI
• Amazon completes $4 billion investment in generative AI developer and is integrating Nvidia's new Blackwell GPU platform into AWS
• Uber expands autonomous delivery with Waymo pilot
• Gopuff adds 20-minute delivery
• DoorDash pilots benefit program for contract drivers
• Instacart opens grocery platform to third-party developers

Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Target to launch paid membership program to rival Amazon Prime, Walmart+
• Grocers see loyalty programs (even before membership) as make or break.
• E.l.f. Cosmetics launches ‘your best e.l.f’ experience on Apple Vision Pro and expands loyalty program with data and gamification
• Amazon to launch ‘special store’ for value fashion in India

• Amazon Fresh launches Recurring Reservations feature for online shopping

• TikTok Shop listings are surfacing on Google Shopping
• Walmart to acquire VIZIO for $2.3 billion