Hospitality platform Toast is introducing “retail specific” capabilities for its Toast IQ artificial intelligence (AI) assistant. It’s part of a wider range of updates the company plans to showcase next week at the National Retail Federation show in New York City, Toast said in a Thursday (Jan...
Retail media networks are moving from the margins of advertising strategy to the center of how brands and retailers compete, as data and media increasingly converge to shape consumer experiences and marketing outcomes. Recent PYMNTS coverage has tracked the evolution. Among a few examples, CVS...
Last year, Walmart introduced Marty, an artificial intelligence (AI) super agent for sellers, suppliers and advertisers. As 2026 begins, the retail giant is touting Marty’s effectiveness in acting as an advertising assistant, as Walmart Connect, the company’s advertising platform, embeds newer AI agentic technology to...
A federal judge reportedly rejected Amazon’s attempt to dismiss a price gouging lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik ruled Monday (Jan. 5) that the eCommerce giant’s claims in seeking the dismissal were “unpersuasive,” Reuters reported Monday. Amazon had argued that consumer protection laws in Washington...
For most of the 21st century’s eCommerce era, retailers have optimized for a single decision-maker: a human with a screen, a cursor and relatively limited attention. To sway the human shopper, product discovery funnel relied on traditional marketing visuals and copy. Differentiation was shaped by...
Amazon advanced Alexa beyond its device roots Monday (Jan. 5) with a browser-based expansion of Alexa+ and made product announcements at CES 2026 focused on Fire TV and the Bee wearable. Together, the updates show Amazon advancing Alexa as a cross-surface artificial intelligence assistant while...
Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker has assumed the additional role of CEO amid reports that the luxury retail company is considering bankruptcy. Baker succeeds Marc Metrick, who had been CEO since 2015 and stepped down to pursue new opportunities, Saks Global said in a Friday...
Luxury goods sellers are reportedly facing a tough market after raising their prices significantly after the pandemic. Between 35% and 40% of luxury goods were sold at a discount in 2025, often at outlet stores, and luxury brands’ average operating profit margins dropped to the...
The day after Christmas used to mark the end of peak season. For many retailers in 2025, it marks the start of a second peak, one that moves in reverse. Packages that flowed out in November and December come back in January, often at peak...