Walmart shows power of livestream events: our most read retail technology articles from last week

Check out our most clicked retail technology articles from last week, including Amazon, AutoStore, adidas, project44, 7-Eleven, AiFi, Asos, Debenhams Group, PayPal, Carrefour, Pricer, and Vusion.

Amazon preps Integrations launch to self-install AutoStore systems beginning next year

Amazon is launching Amazon Integrations, an initiative that will enable it to begin self-installing AutoStore systems beginning in 2027.

The ultimate aim here is for the company to become even more vertically integrated. The move will see Amazon and AutoStore collaborate on changes to the latter’s system.

In a LinkedIn post, in which he cites unnamed sources, Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, said: “Amazon has shut down its Local Vending Machine (LVM) fulfillment system and its latest picking robot, Blue Jay. I broke the story that Amazon has built a new modular fulfillment system it refers to as Orbital. Orbital is capable of being customised to fit inside stores or large logistics facilities.”

The US online giant is also, Ladd noted, opening a Supercenter in Chicago with a 50,000 square feet micro-fulfillment centre; an AutoStore system is being installed inside the MFC. Amazon is also planning to install an AutoStore MFC inside a Whole Foods Market store being built in Frisco, TX.

According to Ladd, the original idea was to leverage Orbital for MFCs and as a replacement for AutoStore. But it appears those plans have changed.

Ladd said: “Keith White, Chief Commercial Officer at Autostore, spent several weeks with Amazon in December to review their partnership and come to an agreement on terms, strategy, and estimated system purchases. I was unable to confirm the total number of AutoStore systems Amazon may purchase by 2030. However, a source stated, "It will be in the double digits."

“Amazon and AutoStore have discussed an acquisition but a deal couldn't be reached. I have stated in multiple LinkedIn posts and articles that Amazon will not maintain a partnership with AutoStore (or any other vendor) if it can't take on greater command and control including requiring design changes to their solutions.”

Enter Amazon Integrations. Element Logic has been selected to install six AutoStore systems for Exol sites, Ladd states. The project will include installation of technology from Berkshire Grey and Symbotic. The number of installations could reach 50 or more, according to Ladd’s source.

Amazon and AutoStore did not respond to our request for comment.

Emporio Armani enlists Loook.ai for interactive fragrance activation at KaDeWe Berlin

Emporio Armani has introduced an immersive fragrance activation at KaDeWe in Berlin, inviting people to experience the new Power of You perfume through an interactive storefront installation. This was developed in collaboration with Loook.ai and runs until 28th February.

Positioned directly in the store window at the entrance of KaDeWe (Tauentzienstraße 21–24, 10789 Berlin), the installation turns the traditional fragrance display into a responsive digital mirror visible from the street.

Anyone walking by can instantly become part of the experience, engaging with motion-based visuals inspired by the campaign’s aesthetic without downloading apps or entering the store first.

As pedestrians approach, the mirror activates in real-time, integrating them into the visual narrative of the fragrance campaign. According to those involved, the format aims to shift the role of the storefront from passive advertising to interactive discovery, allowing Berliners to encounter the new scent through participation rather than observation.

The installation also encourages organic content creation, enabling visitors to capture and share moments generated through the experience.

7-Eleven ramps up AiFi technology powered checkout free store push across retailer's US locations

7-Eleven is expanding its frictionless checkout pilot using AiFi computer vision technology in select US locations.

Customers scan products with their smartphone as they walk through the store, then pay for purchases using Apple Pay, Google Pay or a traditional debit or credit card. After this, they pay via a QR code on a screen at a dedicated station to complete the transaction.

In a LinkedIn post, Michael Guzzetta, Retail Innovation & Strategy Leader at Cookie Plug San Antonio, and a former H-E-B executive, said: “After Amazon pulled back from large format Just Walk Out, the easy narrative was that frictionless checkout had been overhyped and exposed. That was always too simple. The real issue was format economics.”

He added: “Large grocery boxes carry serious margin pressure, complex assortments, and higher shrink exposure. The math gets tight super fast. Convenience is different... Smaller footprints, fewer SKUs. high traffic density, and sales built on speed. If one register backs up at lunch, you feel it immediately. In my opinion, that’s where frictionless still has a shot.”

7-Eleven operates thousands of compact stores where throughput matters more than theatrical innovation, Guzzetta noted. If autonomous checkout can smooth peak demand without a massive ceiling retrofit or painful capex curve, it starts to look less like a tech experiment and more like operational plumbing.

He concluded: “Frictionless didn’t fail. It just needed the right habitat. The interesting story now isn’t whether the model works. It’s which formats can support it today without breaking the unit economics.”

“I expect to see more expanding pilots in convenience/grab 'n go, stadiums, airports, and possibly even theme parks, where margin is high, throughput is crazy and the need for quick convenience is the highest.”

adidas taps project44 tech with focus on how AI transforming supply chain over next decade

project44, an AI powered decision intelligence platform for supply chains, has landed adidas as a customer.

In a LinkedIn post, Jett McCandless, Founder and CEO at project44, said: "Been chasing adidas for eight years. Last week, we officially closed them."

He added: "Eight years ago, Germany had just lifted the World Cup. Some of the players we’ll be watching this summer were still kids back then. That is how long this has been in the making. The adidas team impressed me from day one. Thoughtful. Grounded. Ambitious.”

“They have the rare ability to manage immediate, high stakes pressure, especially with a World Cup on the horizon, while staying obsessed with how software and AI will transform their supply chain over the next decade."

McCandless concluded: "Huge credit to our Europe team for earning trust the right way. This win wasn’t down to one person. It was a massive lift across product, sales, CS, and engineering. This is the team building the decision intelligence platform and logistics operating system for the world’s most demanding brands."

"I want to personally thank Sridhar Bhargav (Senior Director, Digital Process Management & Solutions) and Benedikt Birner (Vice President Global Partnerships) for the partnership. We don’t take the trust you’ve placed in us lightly."

Walmart launches Winter Olympics themed shoppable livestream event with Procter & Gamble

Walmart has partnered with Procter & Gamble for its latest shoppable livestream event. This went live yesterday on Walmart Live, Facebook, and YouTube and was made available on-demand afterwards.

In a LinkedIn post, Walmart’s Justin Breton said: “In today’s attention economy, entertainment and content have become the new storefront. The brands that win aren’t just showing products... They’re creating moments people actually want to spend time with. That’s exactly what we’re leaning into with our next shoppable livestream with Procter & Gamble.”

The pair went live from the Olympic Village in Milan with a Make Her Day Easy livestream event.

“Hosted by US Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez, this experience brings customers inside a cultural moment most people never get access to, while making it instantly shoppable. Because increasingly, commerce works best when it feels less like shopping and more like access,” said Breton.

“During the live, Laurie spotlighted her everyday essentials, from Tampax to Crest to Venus, that help her stay confident, focused, and ready to perform at the highest level across three segments designed to feel human, authentic, and connected to real life. The livestream also featured Tampax’s newest brand ambassador, Tami, in one of the segments.”

Breton concluded: “What excites me most about moments like this is the ability to bring customers closer to something special. Sports, culture, content, and commerce are increasingly converging and livestream events continues to be one of the most powerful ways to meet customers where attention already lives.”

Pricer loses ESLs exclusivity agreement with Carrefour as retailer inks deal with Vusion

As part of its Carrefour 2030 plan, Carrefour is tapping Vusion’s platform as it looks to digitalise all of its hypermarkets and supermarkets in France by 2030. The partnership covers deployment of electronic shelf labels, smart rails, and AI driven cameras.

The deal sees Pricer lose its position as exclusive ESLs supplier to the retail giant.

In a press release, it said: “Today Carrrefour has decided to introduce an additional supplier for the sourcing of digital in-store solutions based on electronic shelf labels in France. In 2025 total sales to Carrefour was below 10% of our total net sales, and its contribution to our total gross profit was mid-single digit. The assessment for 2026 is that the contribution to Pricer total gross profit will be low single digit.”

“We look forward to continuing to build on our long lasting relationship, serving our large base of Carrefour stores, and supporting the growing base of franchise stores in Europe,” said Magnus Larsson, President and CEO at Pricer.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO at Carrefour, commented: “Carrefour 2030 is a growth plan that relies notably on accelerating tech and AI. By partnering with Vusion, a French technological champion with global reach, we are propelling our stores into a new era. The digitalisation of our shelves is the essential foundation for deploying our vision of modern retail, serving competitiveness, quality of life at work for our employees, and customer satisfaction.”

New Asos virtual try-on experience launches in partnership with AI fashion platform AIUTA

Asos is laying claim to a unique hybrid approach to virtual try-on that lets customers see how selected products could look on them by uploading their own image or choosing an AI generated virtual model that represents their likeness. 

This initially launches in partnership with AI fashion platform AIUTA with around 10,000 products on the Asos IOS app. The feature will be available to select UK and US customers before being rolled out more broadly. It is claimed that each experience loads in just four to sevent seconds, well ahead of typical industry solutions.

Melissa Lim, Head of Digital Product at Asos, says: “We know customers want the confidence of seeing how something will really look but don't want to be pushed into doing it one way. Our hybrid approach meets them where they are, giving everyone a try‑on option that feels right for them.”

First for Debenhams Group as it teams with PayPal on AI driven shopping experience in UK

Debenhams Group, home to PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, boohooMAN, Karen Millen and Debenhams, has partnered with PayPal on an AI driven shopping experience, becoming the first retailer in the UK to enable customers to discover, receive personalised recommendations and check out entirely within the PayPal app.

PayPal is currently testing the AI assistant with select US customers, where it has also been integrated with AI tools such as Perplexity and Microsoft Copilot, with a broader US and UK launch planned later this year.

Shoppers can use an AI assistant within its platform to ask for product suggestions, explore relevant items and browse curated selections from brands including Karen Millen, boohoo and boohooMAN. Customers can then complete their purchase directly within the chat experience, with PayPal automatically using saved account details for home delivery.

Dan Finley, CEO at Debenhams Group, says: "Our goal is to help customers discover and be inspired by new products and brands, while making shopping as easy and enjoyable as possible.”

“This kind of innovation has the potential to fundamentally transform online retail; in a way we haven’t seen since the shift to mobile shopping. We’re proud to be the first UK retailer to partner with PayPal on this experience, bringing a faster, more intuitive way to shop to customers across our brands.”