Amazon Prime Day not immune to consumer pressures, competing sale events

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Amazon's June Prime Day event may have been a bit too early to cash in on the back-to-school consumer shopping season.

Michaels debuts experiential store format

July 27, 2026

Craft retailer Michaels is debuting an experiential store format featuring hubs for creativity and celebration.

Target rolls out back-to-school lineup

July 23, 2026

Target has rolled out its back-to-school and college product lineup and more than half of the assortment is brand new items.

Driving grocery customer loyalty with logistics automation

by Adam Gurga — Director of Sales, Cimcorp North America

Retailers that invest in modern fulfillment solutions are building the foundations for stronger supply chain networks and stronger relationships with customers.

Proposal would require self-checkout discounts

July 22, 2026

A New York state lawmaker has proposed requiring retailers and supermarkets to give customers a 10% discount when they use self-checkout kiosks, according to a…

Busy Baby Vending machine launches in UK

July 21, 2026

A Dundee, Scotland, entrepreneur has launched what she believes is the U.K.'s first vending machine dedicated to baby essentials, according to a Yahoo News…

Import cargo may set new record as potential August tariffs loom

July 21, 2026

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is forecast to hit a new all-time record this month, driven by retailers stocking up ahead of expected tariff…

National Retail Solutions (NRS) Employees Roll Up Their Sleeves for Company Blood Drive at Newark Headquarters

National Retail Solutions (NRS), a leading provider of point-of-sale (POS) solutions for independent retailers, hosted an employee blood drive at its Newark…

In retail, automation isn’t the problem. Untested customer journeys are.

by Mark Rohan — Co-founder and COO, Klearcom

In retail, trust is built during the full customer journey, not during just the AI interaction. That’s why monitoring needs to become as central to contact…

Why Product Longevity Matters in Retail Technology

Product longevity helps retailers create a stronger foundation for long term operational success. This blog explores how durable technology, stable system…

Target targets inclusive design within guest experience

July 17, 2026

Target is integrating inclusive design principles across merchandising, store environments, product development and digital experiences.

Consumers wary about AI shopping assistants but Amazon is changing perceptions

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

As the retail landscape shifts to a more automated, hands-off marketplace, the industry continues to prioritize investing in AI-powered shopping tech but not…

Walmart lowers prices on beef, summertime food favs

July 16, 2026

Walmart has lowered prices at both its store supermarkets and its wholesale club, Sam's Club, on everything from grocery and household products to outdoor…

The invisible engine: Why the best AI is the one your customers never see

by Benjamin Spiegel — Chief Digital Officer, POLYWOOD

As the dust settles on the initial Generative AI gold rush, a truth is emerging: the most successful brands aren’t the ones forcing AI onto their customers…

Turkish airline rolls out self-check-in kiosks

July 16, 2026

Turkish leisure airline Corendon Airlines has introduced self-service airport check-in kiosks as part of its digital transformation strategy, according to a…

Why AI is failing retail customer service (and how to fix it)

by David Karandish — Founder & CEO, Capacity

Done right, agentic AI and automation can fundamentally change how retail CX operates. However, most retailers struggle to implement AI effectively.

Target deploying attendance tracking system to boost customer experience

July 13, 2026

Target is planning to deploy a point-based store employee attendance tracking system as part of its strategy to boost store operations and customer experience.

Nominations open for 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

The organizers of the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Show are accepting nominations for the 2026 ARKI Awards, recognizing the companies, products…

Saks strategy is high-end shopping, white-glove service

July 10, 2026

Now that it has officially exited bankruptcy, Saks Global, the parent company of Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, aims to focus on…

American Airlines grab-and-go lounge arriving soon at NY airport

July 10, 2026

American Airlines is prepping a grab-and-go lounge at New York's JFK International airport that should launched for business by the end of 2026.