Retailers are rapidly integrating AI across various aspects of their operations, from checkout and customer service to advertising and inventory management. At NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, incoming Walmart Inc. CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted AI's role in transforming the complete shopping experience. Pichai discussed how AI agents, such as Walmart AI shopping assistant Sparky, can enhance the customer experience by making product recommendations and helping customers research items, find deals, plan events and prep meals.

Amazon and Walmart are redefining their roles in the retail landscape with strategic shifts, illustrating two competing visions for the future of commerce: proprietary innovations and collaborative standards. Amazon has announced a new megastore in Chicago with cashierless "Just Walk Out" checkout kiosks, emphasizing the importance of its internal ecosystem and physical retail as a platform for future growth. Meanwhile, Walmart is collaborating with Google to set universal standards for agentic AI commerce, aiming to streamline the shopping process through autonomous AI agents.

Walmart is undertaking a major leadership reshuffle coinciding with John Furner's promotion to CEO next month, including David Guggina succeeding Furner as CEO of Walmart US. The changes reflect Walmart's efforts to adapt to a rapidly evolving retail landscape, especially as AI influences operations. "As AI rapidly reshapes retail, we are centralizing our platforms to accelerate shared capabilities, freeing up our operating segments to be more focused on and closer to our customers and members," said Furner.

German online fashion company Zalando is set to announce its first US client deal, marking a significant expansion into the American market with its business-to-business offerings. Co-CEO David Schroder highlighted the potential of its Scayle software, acquired from About You Holding, to drive this growth. Additionally, Zalando is leveraging AI to increase platform traffic, with a small but growing percentage coming from AI-driven sources, and expecting future growth via AI agents and chatbots.

The increasing role of AI in retail was showcased at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, with companies like Hypervsn spotlighting holographic displays powered by AI, such as "Mike," a hologram designed to engage customers. Major player Google detailed how its Universal Commerce Protocol allows AI agents and retailers to integrate so shoppers can buy products from a retailer's website directly within Google's AI Mode. Other innovative players, including Shopify, emphasized retail's shift toward AI-driven commerce and AI's potential to transform the shopping journey, from product discovery to checkout.

Major Southern California grocer Stater Bros. Markets is expanding its use of AI technology in its supply chain by implementing the Afresh DC Forecast solution in its distribution centers. This move, which highlights the benefits of AI in streamlining operations and supporting long-term purchasing decisions, follows a successful deployment of AI-based ordering in its produce departments across 169 stores. The initiative aims to create a unified approach to managing fresh inventory, enhancing product availability, reducing food waste and improving inventory efficiency.

Retail leaders discussed AI's transformative impact on the industry at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, with companies like Walmart, Google, Target and REI showcasing their AI strategies. Executives emphasized the importance of collaboration, human intelligence and innovation, while also addressing concerns, including consumer data control issues. Despite these challenges, leaders like Macy's Max Magni advocate for a "fail fast" approach to AI adoption, underscoring its role as an enabler rather than a standalone strategy.

Amazon has entered into a two-year agreement with Rio Tinto to purchase copper from an Arizona mine, marking the first new US copper source in over a decade. This move supports Amazon's data centers, which require significant copper for construction and operation. Despite this, the supply will meet only a fraction of Amazon's needs, highlighting the growing demand for copper driven by AI, renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

There's a paradox in consumer behavior: While two-thirds of consumers acknowledge technology's role in enhancing their shopping experiences, many are wary of over-personalization and data tracking, according to a Capgemini Research Institute report. Some 71% of consumers are worried about AI's use of personal data, and more than 50% would consider switching retailers for better privacy protections. The report underscores the importance of businesses to prioritize data privacy and transparency.

The spotlight was on the critical role of high-quality data in leveraging AI technologies for retail success at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show. That role includes retailers ensuring that AI solutions, particularly agentic AI, are supported by accurate and relevant data to optimize enterprise workflows. Integratin