In its latest earnings report, Lowe's highlighted the role of AI in fueling operational efficiency. The company introduced AI tools such as home improvement advisor Mylow and Mylow Companion to assist customers and staff, enhancing store execution, inventory flow, product knowledge across SKUs, engagement and customer service. While facing economic challenges, Lowe's remains focused on achieving around $1 billion in productivity gains in 2026 and maintaining a steady sales trajectory through AI innovations and strategic advertising initiatives via its Media Network.

Style, innovation and design are at the forefront of Target's renewed strategy, with new chief merchant Cara Sylvester leading efforts to reinvigorate the brand's reputation for accessible, stylish products. Sylvester emphasizes the importance of technology, such as using proprietary AI to make merchandising decisions and launching the new Target app in ChatGPT. Target is also highlighting design partnerships, including recent collaborations with brands like Diane von Furstenberg and Roller Rabbit.

DoorDash will pilot a feature in the Google Gemini app that allows users to order food using AI, testing first on select Pixel and Samsung devices in the US and South Korea. Users can initiate actions like reordering meals with a single command, and Gemini will complete the process in the background while providing live notifications. This streamlines complex tasks, letting users monitor, intervene or stop the process as needed.

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms are reportedly navigating strategic differences over pricing and promotion as they expand their lead in the smart glasses market with their AI-powered Ray-Ban and Oakley models. Despite selling more than 7 million units last year, the partners face internal debates on pricing strategies, with Meta advocating for lower prices to boost adoption, while EssilorLuxottica is cautious about maintaining profit margins. Despite these challenges, the alliance remains strong, with plans to increase production and explore collaborations with luxury brands like Prada, as they aim to dominate the burgeoning smart glasses market.

With its new AI-driven platform, Furniture.com is transforming the online furniture shopping landscape by integrating discovery, comparison, personalization and checkout into a single digital journey. The platform, which offers AI conversational search and real-time availability features, allows customers to compare products from multiple retailers side-by-side and includes a unique single-cart, multi-retailer checkout system. Retailers like Rooms To Go and Kathy Kuo Home are among the initial partners, with more expected to join, enhancing customer choice and convenience while capturing demand.

Amazon has launched three new personality styles for Alexa+, giving users the option to choose between Brief, Chill and Sweet communication modes. These styles can be toggled via the Alexa app or by voice command, providing greater flexibility in how the AI assistant interacts with users. Despite the benefits, there are concerns about the psychological effects of AI personalization, echoing issues faced by other AI models.

Radar has expanded its Radar+ platform with advanced AI merchandising and analytics capabilities to transform physical retail stores into real-time data-driven environments. The platform leverages RFID sensor technology to provide highly accurate inventory tracking, real-time shopper behavior insights and actionable analytics. With over 1,000 stores already adopting the technology, including major banners like American Eagle and Old Navy, Radar+ delivers ecommerce-level intelligence to brick-and-mortar stores.

Despite 55% of consumers using voice AI, a significant gap remains, as only 29% of companies have adopted customer-facing voice AI, according to a report by Voices. The report also indicates that only 48% of companies prioritize quality, particularly tone and emotional expressiveness in voice AI. However, 79% of business leaders acknowledge that inauthentic AI voices can harm brand perception, highlighting the need for strategic integration of voice AI as a core brand asset.

Companies are finding that successful AI adoption requires a focus on both technology and human capital. Key adoption strategies include addressing workflow inefficiencies, exploring semi-autonomous agents, setting new performance standards and fostering trust in AI systems. While AI and automation can enhance productivity by removing monotonous tasks, many programs fail due to a lack of emphasis on workforce modernization, but those that did accentuate it posted at least a 10% boost in productivity and earnings, says business expert Sarah Elk.

NRF Nexus 2026 enters a new chapter July 22–24 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. With a brand-new venue, a redesigned program and a broadened audience of decision-makers, NRF Nexus removes the boundaries between commerce, creativity and technology. Designed as an intimate executive forum, NRF Nexus brings together senior leaders across digital, marketing and technology to define what comes next through deeper conversations, candid exchanges and off-the-record dialogue. This is where ideas connect, strategies align and retail evolves in real time. Register now.