Retail technology innovation of the week: Circa Resort & Casino claims an autonomous store first

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 VenHub Global and Circa Resort & Casino who have announced a partnership that will bring the former’s autonomous smart store offering to the latter’s guests. Measuring 66 feet x 10 feet by 10 feet, the installation will debut at Circa Resort later this spring.

Circa will introduce what is pitched as a first of its kind retail attraction comprised of three VenHub autonomous smart stores customised into a single, integrated, and continuously operating solution.

This will give guests the ability to autonomously browse and purchase food, snacks, alcohol, and smokeless tobacco products at any hour, without wait times, checkout lines etc.

“We’re always looking for ways to stay on the forefront of what’s next and deliver experiences our guests can’t find anywhere else,” says Derek Stevens, Founder and CEO, Circa Resort & Casino. “This is more than a retail concept, it is a one of a kind attraction that brings together cutting-edge technology, convenience, and entertainment in a way that’s unique to Circa. Just like Stadium Swim and The World’s Largest Sportsbook, this is about creating a true destination moment, and we’re excited to partner with VenHub to introduce something entirely new to Las Vegas.”

“From our first idea for what the future of smart retail should look like, we have designed and developed our smart stores to offer a seamless, always on and convenient shopping experience for consumers while also providing operators with a solution that fits their distinct needs,” says Shahan Ohanessian, CEO at VenHub.

“Circa Resort has always been forward thinking in product offerings across the property and we are very happy to partner with them to bring this customised, first of its kind smart store experience to the guests. Our technology enables the seamless integration of this 66-foot long smart store to offer a truly unique retail experience.”

All transactions will be fully autonomous and powered by VenHub's proprietary robotics and AI platform. The installation will be white labelled to reflect Circa Resort's signature brand.

Ohanessian adds: “What VenHub and Circa Resort have created is historic. Three autonomous stores operating as one continuous retail environment has never been done before. This is the largest smart store deployment in the world, and we are proud that VenHub is providing the technology to make it possible.”

And an honourable mention to...

M&S reports that it is giving its store managers and support centre colleagues AI and Agentic AI tools, with the aim of making tasks like accessing data and analysis quicker and simpler, freeing up time to focus on customers and colleagues.

The retailer is purchasing 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences, supported by a training and development programme. A partnership with Microsoft is supporting the use of AI at scale across the organisation.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin says: “We’re already embedding AI across M&S - supporting stock forecasting and ordering, generating marketing materials, and powering a colleague help hub with AI agents. Now 11,000 colleagues will have AI support at their fingertips, pulling together summaries from multiple sources and giving them the data, analytics and insights they need in seconds.”

“As we reshape M&S for growth, scaling the use of AI is central to our technology transformation and today's announcement is just one of the steps forward on that journey."

Nicole Ritchie, Clapham Common Store Manager, who has been using Microsoft Copilot, says: "I already love using AI in my daily tasks. Every morning I ask Copilot to pull together my morning huddle and shift handover notes.”

“I can't wait to see how Microsoft 365 Copilot will take this to the next level, using data and information from different sources to focus on clear actions and talking points, all ready for me to share with my team. This will free up more time to spend with my team serving our customers."

Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK & Ireland, comments: “It’s great to see M&S driving AI powered transformation of the retail sector. By putting Copilot into the hands of the people closest to its customers, it is turning store data into clear actions and insights, enabling teams to spend more time delivering exceptional service to customers on the shopfloor.”