Hologram humans and AR experiences: RTIH brings you this week's biggest retail technology stories

It's Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past few days, including Walmart, Target, Selfridges, American Eagle, McDonald's, DoorDash, Amazon, Sailing Group, and Snap.

1. Walmart sets sights on Gen Z and Gen Alpha as retailer introduces new immersive online storefronts

Walmart has launched a new series of immersive online storefronts, with a focus on cultural movements inspired by and shaping Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Brand Partnerships & Emerging Experiences, said: "Over a year ago, we launched Walmart Realm, an immersive shopping experience blending culture, content, and commerce to facilitate product discovery and brand reappraisal. Since then, it’s connected millions of younger shoppers with creator curated products, interactive mini-games, and trend driven storytelling through this emerging medium."

He added: "We’re now introducing our boldest wave of new immersive storefronts yet, all rooted in the cultural movements inspired by and shaping Gen Z and Gen Alpha, as we redefine how they discover, connect, and shop with our brand online. We’re starting with the vibrant K-POP Era, followed by Lo-Fi Playing, Rodeo Dreams, Nature Breaks, and Group Woosah."

The move is in support of Walmart Delivers, the US retail giant's IRL mobile pop-ups bringing these social trends to cities nationwide where consumers can expect photo booths, customisable giveaways, and interactive zones that turn shopping into an event. On 2nd September, the Walmart Delivers K-POP pop-up will be at the BABYMONSTER concert in Chicago.

2. Retail tech and innovation focused Canadian Tire boss Greg Hicks a leading candidate for Target CEO

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, there is a growing level of frustration inside Target that the retail giant has lost its way, and a push for a new CEO is underway.

Greg Hicks, Canadian Tire Corporation CEO, Richard Dickson, CEO at Gap, and Chris Nicholas, President and CEO at Sam's Club, are the top three external candidates, according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.

The leading internal candidate, meanwhile, is Michael Fiddelke.

“Michael is my choice to be CEO if an internal candidate is chosen,” Ladd said. “However, based on discussions with industry analysts, and according to the WSJ, the overwhelming preference is that an external candidate be hired to be the CEO.”

“But who? There are several executives that I believe would be a great fit for Target. Walmart has several executives who could be its CEO. The problem is this: Walmart enforces non-compete agreements that prevent senior executives from leaving the company and working for a retailer with more than $7 billion in annual revenue. Target's 2024 revenue was $106 billion.”

A challenge for Target is that the company needs someone who is skilled in softlines, CPG and grocery, and hardlines. And most of the executives with this experience work at Walmart.

Another challenge, Ladd believes, is that Target urgently needs to undergo a transformation. This means replacing the majority of executives and hiring exceptionally talented executives to take their place. Such a move would require a CEO who is skilled at stepping into the role and making significant changes immediately, and still generating results.

3. American Eagle store visits downturn continues as Sydney Sweeney ad controversy rumbles on

New data from pass_by shows that a downturn in American Eagle store visits has accelerated for the second straight week following the Sydney Sweeney ad controversy.

A jeans campaign featuring the actress has caused uproar since it made its debut a few weeks ago, as has Sweeney being outed as a Repubican supporter, with the likes of US President Donald Trump having their say.

Most recently, Dr. Phil McCraw has weighed in with his take. The TV personality appeared on last week’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, which saw the titular host say: "Sydney Sweeney came out as - not came out - she was exposed as a Republican. And she has the big jeans ad that was controversial. And they reported this like it was a scandal, [that] she's a Republican. I just got to say this is not where I want America to go. It is not a slur that someone is a Republican."

"For people to go crazy over that ad [that says] 'she's got good genes,' and for them to say that's the equivalent of the Holocaust, is an absolute insult," McCraw added. "Six million people were killed. Six million Jews were massacred and murdered, and they equate that to a blue jeans ad for a Hollywood actress? What an insult."

He continued, "That is ridiculous. I'm gonna go out and buy those jeans for every woman in my family, everybody I know just to show support."

4. Visual Art signs five-year agreement with Danish grocery retailer and Netto owner Salling Group

Visual Art has inked a five-year agreement with Salling Group, the Denmark-based grocery retailer with brands such as Netto, Føtex, and Bilka.

The deal includes Visual Art’s digital signage software, full technical migration, remote and on-site support, and integration with Salling Group’s current ad tech platform. The pair will also explore new functionalities related to audience data, campaign measurement, and sensor-based activation.

“I meet many companies working with in-store retail media, but Salling Group’s drive and innovative mindset truly stand out. They have a purposeful and forward looking approach to how digital communication should create value every day. We look forward to building a long-term partnership together,” says Andreas Lind, Chief Commercial Officer at Visual Art.

5. EE sees double in West Midlands with launch today of new Experience store in Dudley’s Merry Hill shopping centre

EE has opened a new Experience store in Dudley’s Merry Hill shopping centre, the second of its experiential stores to go live in the West Midlands in the past year.

This is EE’s third such launch of 2025, following openings in Nottingham in May and Sheffield earlier this month, and forms part of the company's £3 million investment into bricks and mortar retail this year.

It features Experience Zones themed around four key areas - Game, Work, Learn, and Home - along with a Tech Home area showcasing the future of connected living. 

6. American Snapchatters get to travel to McDonaldland through Arcadia built interactive AR Lenses

Starting this week, Snapchatters in the US can travel to McDonaldland with custom AR Lenses built by Snap's innovation studio, Arcadia, to unlock games, exclusive content, and transform their local McDonald’s restaurant.

At the heart of the experience is The McDonaldland Map Lens, a 3D map that features a user’s Bitmoji alongside McDonald’s characters. To get started, people can explore the map and tap on different characters to enter into their unique experience.

It is also possible to visit any of the nearly 14,000 McDonald’s restaurants across the US to unlock the Step Into McDonaldland Lens. This AR experience uses geofencing technology to transform the walls, tables, and floors into the world of McDonaldland. If people are not at a restaurant, the Lens will guide them to the nearest one, showing them how far away it is.

The initiative promotes McDonald’s latest meal that pays homage to the fast food giant’s McDonaldland fictional fantasy world filled with apple pie trees and hamburger patches, and home to characters like Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and the Fry Friends. This was first introduced in commercials in the early 1970s.

7. Selfridges tries out 'smart, witty, charismatic' HYPERVSN AI Hologram Human at London Oxford Street store

HYPERVSN has deployed its AI Hologram Human solution at Selfridges' store in London's Oxford Street.

In a LInkedIn post, CEO and Founder Kiryl Chykeyuk, said: "She doesn’t sleep. She doesn’t eat. She never forgets a single product detail. Will AI assistants replace us humans - in airports, banks, telco, healthcare? Our AI Hologram Human at Selfridges London talks to over 100 people, every single day. No lunch breaks. No burnout. Just consistent 24/7 customer service."

"Fluent in 100+ languages. Always smiling. Always on. Some talk to her more than they would to a real person - no shyness, no judgement. And it feels so human. And fun - lots of fun! She can take on what humans can’t always cope with: endless repetition; 24/7 shifts; hundreds of questions a day.”

“Freeing people to do the things only we can do - e.g. creativity, complex decisions. She might be the easiest hire we’ve ever made. Smart. Witty. Charismatic. This is just the beginning."

8. Wendy’s FreshAi platform founder Michael Chorey takes on Co-Founder and President role at Presto

Drive-thru voice AI specialist, Presto, reports that Michael Chorey, the founder of Wendy’s FreshAi platform, has joined the company to build Presto IQ, pitched as the first AI native dynamic data offering for the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry.

“I’m thrilled to become a Prestonian at such an exciting time for both the industry and the company. I’ve known the Presto team for a long time and admire their pioneering vision as well as their understanding of the restaurant industry,” says Chorey.

“I have deep experience conceptualising and bringing AI to life in an enterprise restaurant setting, but I have always believed personalisation is the key to unlocking even more value for all stakeholders. I build for the parent in the drive-thru, the crew member on their first shift, and the operator trying to make a thousand decisions. The Presto team is the only one that shares this vision, and I'm excited to bring Presto IQ to market.”

9. McDonald’s and DoorDash opt to ramp up global partnership as they unveil new online ordering offering in US

McDonald’s and DoorDash have announced the launch of a new US online ordering offering, allowing customers to get McDelivery via mobile web or desktop - no app downloads, logins, or accounts required. Orders are fulfilled by Dashers.

“We’re making it easy for customers to order McDonald’s wherever they are,” says Shanna Prevé, VP of Enterprise Sales & Business Development at DoorDash. “This global partnership is powered by innovation - driving sales, simplifying operations, and elevating the customer experience.”

The DoorDash powered site is accessible from McDonalds.com, with flexible payment options and no account required.

“With millions of customers visiting McDonalds.com each month, this channel extends our reach, offering a seamless and convenient way to have their favourites delivered. It reflects our continued commitment to meeting customer demands and strengthening accessibility across all touchpoints,” says Tim Snyder, Head of Delivery at McDonald’s USA.

The launch is part of a global partnership which now supports McDelivery in 29 countries. DoorDash, together with its affiliated brand Wolt, is a major delivery partner for McDonald’s in the US and other  markets including Canada, Germany, Australia, Finland, and Japan.

10. Kroger, Instacart and Target among biggest losers as Amazon makes long awaited major move in grocery deliveries

Amazon reports that customers in more than 1,000 US cities and towns can now order fresh groceries with their same-day delivery orders, with plans to expand to over 2,300 across the country by year end.

People will have the option to order the likes of produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods, and frozen foods, alongside the likes of everyday household essentials, electronics, fashion, and home and garden.

“We’re continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members,” says Doug Herrington, CEO at Worldwide Amazon Stores.

“By introducing fresh groceries into our same-day delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers. They can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project - and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.”

Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, says: “Amazon is leveraging its strengths (amazon.com and its advanced logistics network) to scale its grocery business without having to compete head-to-head against Walmart, Kroger and other grocery retailers by building stores. The grocery industry is refighting WW2. Amazon has launched a guerilla warfare campaign.”