Retail technology innovation of the week: John Lewis invests in AI and social shopping experiences

Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, and sponsored by 3D Cloud, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.

Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, alongside the publication of the 2026 report later this year.

And this week we’re focusing on John Lewis which is going through a major digital transformation (to the tune of £800 million), and at the heart of this move is meeting the customer where they are at.

The retailer's products will be served to customers looking for inspiration on AI platforms like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, starting later this year. John Lewis has extended its partnership with commercetools, a digital commerce platform, to utilise its new AI capabilities. 

It has also launched on TikTok Shop. Initially a 90-day pilot timed to help with Mother’s Day gifting, the trial focuses on a curated edit of beauty and gifting items, instantly shoppable through the platform. This includes a final drop of its Mother’s Day Beauty Box, featuring a collection of beauty products from brands including Jo Malone London, Augustinus Bader and Estee Lauder.  

Dom McBrien, Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer, John Lewis, says: “Our customers are already using AI apps and discovery platforms to find products they love. These investments will mean that we are right there when customers are looking for ideas - and being able to quickly and easily buy in a few clicks is a gamechanger. We look forward to rolling out these functionalities and welcoming them into our omnichannel mix alongside our own app, website, and physical stores.” 

Broghan Smith, Head of Key Accounts at TikTok Shop UK, says: "We're delighted to welcome John Lewis to TikTok Shop. As a cornerstone of British retail with a proud heritage, John Lewis represents exactly the kind of quality brand our community loves to discover. We're excited to see how they'll succeed with discovery commerce on TikTok Shop, bringing their trusted products to life in new and engaging ways for our users."

And an honourable mention to...

Grubhub and Dexa have announced a three-month pilot involving ​food delivery services via drones to customers in Green Brook, ‌New Jersey.

In a LinkedIn post, Grubhub said: “This marks the first time commercial food delivery by drone will be available in the state and our first time offering drone delivery, thanks to our fully integrated programme with Dexa (Drone Express), launching 18th March at Wonder's Green Brook location.”

Customers within 2.5 miles will have the option to select drone delivery at no additional cost, enabled by Dexa’s DE‑2020 aircraft, one of only a handful of FAA Part 135 Air Carrier certified drone systems operating in the US.

“This initiative represents an important step toward advancing safe, efficient, and scalable last mile logistics,” Grubhub added.