Merchandising & Store OpsSunday, September 6, 2026
While 96% of retail teams use AI, only 33% of frontline employees in retail and hospitality report using it in their daily roles, according to a survey of 8,200 workers.
Walgreens has opened its ninth robotic micro-fulfillment center, which supports approximately 96 stores in the Utah area and contributes to a network that now fills about 60% of prescriptions across roughly 3,000 stores.
Frontline technology deals in retail store operations reached approximately $14 billion in Q1 2026, marking a fourfold increase in M&A value compared to the previous quarter.
Grocery chains are leveraging in-store kitchens to list prepared foods on delivery platforms, directly competing with quick-service restaurants and cloud kitchens.
Retailers are expanding prepared-meals categories with single-serving chef-made meals ready in under five minutes and new plant-based SKUs including burgers and mac and cheese.
US retail media advertising spending is projected to reach approximately $69.3 billion in 2026, reflecting sustained double-digit year-over-year growth.
