Retail MediaThursday, October 1, 2026
EMARKETER projects that AI platforms will account for 1.5% of US retail ecommerce sales in 2026, representing approximately $20.57 billion in revenue.
WellSpan York Hospital in Pennsylvania opened a 400-square-foot autonomous kitchen in March 2026 that prepares made-to-order meals using robotic arms and 80 fresh ingredients without human contact.
KPMG and Oracle estimate that agentic AI can reduce the time spent managing products and attributes by approximately 50% while handling forecasting, replenishment, and in-store customer context.
Barilla's Good Food Makers 2025 program selected three startups to co-develop sustainable food pilots, including automated weed removal, AI-enhanced inspection, and smart-camera shelf availability systems.
Condé Nast is launching VETTE, an AI-powered marketplace where creators build digital storefronts under a revenue-share model with AI merchandising tools and retail-media revenue streams, in early 2026.
