San Francisco and Sunnyvale, Calif. — Gap Inc. has formed a multi-year partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate its human-centered digitally-enabled technology strategy, with AI powering the company’s plans to reimagine retail across its portfolio of brands, including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. “AI is redefining what’s possible in retail, and we’re building our future technology roadmap around it,” says Sven Gerjets, chief technology officer at Gap Inc. “We believe this partnership gives us the expertise and speed to bring AI to life across our business, empowering teams, …
software/technology
— By Sandeep Ahuja — Turning vacant big box stores into assets with AI. Redeveloping these stores has always been costly and slow. AI is starting to change that by giving owners and developers faster ways to rethink these large spaces and plan for their next chapter. Big box vacancies can quickly erode the value of an entire shopping center. With AI, owners no longer have to rely on guesswork about what comes next. In one Florida redevelopment, analysis showed how an empty 82,000-square-foot anchor could be repositioned to generate …
San Antonio — Whataburger has appointed Rohit Kapoor as executive vice president, chief digital and technology transformation officer. He brings more than three decades of global leadership experience across the restaurant and retail industries, where he has consistently led large-scale digital transformations that elevate both customer and team member experiences while enabling sustainable growth. Before joining Whataburger, Kapoor served as executive vice president and chief information officer at Claire’s, where he modernized the company’s end-to-end technology landscape, strengthening its digital foundations and enhancing omnichannel engagement. He previously held senior leadership …
Dollar Tree Selects Legion WFM to Transform Labor Operations, Enhance Associate Experience
Redwood City, Calif. — Legion Technologies, an innovator in workforce management (WFM), is partnering with Dollar Tree, Inc. to deliver enhanced labor optimization and associate engagement to its fleet of stores and distribution centers across North America. “As a retailer with more than 9,000 stores, 18 distribution centers and over 150,000 associates, we needed a next-generation solution that would allow us to better manage our labor budget while increasing associate engagement. Legion’s platform showed us we didn’t have to compromise,” says Jocelyn Konrad, chief of Dollar Tree Stores and enterprise …
Los Angeles — Matternet, the developer of the world’s leading urban drone delivery system, is partnering with Dave’s Hot Chicken to launch a drone delivery pilot, a first for the fast-casual leader. The service will debut in Northridge, a Los Angeles suburb, where eligible residents will be able to order Dave’s Hot Chicken through the Dave’s app and receive it directly to their homes via Matternet’s autonomous M2 drones — arriving hot, fresh and fast. “Each day, more than 10 million food deliveries move through our cities in 2-ton cars, …
Atlanta — Blain’s Farm & Fleet, the most trusted name in Midwestern retail, has selected RELEX Solutions, a leading provider of unified supply chain and retail planning technology, to improve its forecasting, allocation and replenishment operations. Blain’s will boost efficiency and enhance customer experience across its distribution center and 45 stores with RELEX. This initiative will bring together delivery, advisory and industry experience from Logic, part of Accenture, with the RELEX AI-driven technology. As Blain’s Farm & Fleet continues to expand and to evolving consumer expectations, it saw the need …
Minneapolis — Target Corporation has launched a first-of-its-kind accessible self-checkout experience, designed with and for guests with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision. Beginning this holiday season and continuing into early 2026, the solution will roll out to self-checkout stations across Target stores nationwide. “This season brings so much joy for our guests, but we know it can be overwhelming, too. That is why even small wins matter — like an accessible self-checkout that helps guests shop their way, with confidence,” says Adrienne Costanzo, executive vice …
Columbia, S.C. — Groucho’s Deli, a South Carolina-based sandwich shop with an 84-year legacy, has chosen Square’s comprehensive commerce platform to power its operations across more than 30 locations. By leveraging Square’s integrated hardware, software and partner ecosystem, Groucho’s is unifying its operations, streamlining service and preparing for its next phase of franchise expansion — without losing the neighborhood hospitality that has defined the brand for generations. “As we look toward our next phase of growth, we needed a technology partner that could unify our operations across corporate and franchise …
— By Andrew Brister, AIA — How as-built consulting and technology drive faster, profitable store openings. Retailers managing large property portfolios face growing complexity — tight timelines, overlapping projects and pressure to hit grand opening dates. To stay ahead, many are embracing advanced as-built consulting powered by technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), laser scanning, mobile mapping and virtual tours. When integrated early in the pre-design and design phases, these tools help reduce uncertainty, align stakeholders and streamline execution. The result: faster, more efficient rollouts with fewer surprises. Managing Multiple …
New Hartford, N.Y. — Taco Bueno, a popular quick-service Tex-Mex chain, has selected PAR Technology Corporation as its unified technology partner. The brand will implement PAR POS™ and PAR Hardware™ solutions across its 140 locations to modernize operations, enhance the guest experience and support long term growth. As Taco Bueno scales and streamlines operations across its expanding footprint, the leadership team prioritized finding a technology partner that could offer both enterprise-grade capabilities and intuitive usability for in-store staff. Taco Bueno selected PAR Technology for its comprehensive ecosystem of industry-leading integrations …