Retailers in August 2025 focused technology efforts in areas including drone delivery, RFID, and mobile POS.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in August, starting with the most recent.
- Walmart launches next-day delivery for third-party orders in major cities Walmart has unveiled a suite of tools and initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of its Marketplace sellers. The discounter introduced new AI-powered tools and seller incentives to help sellers grow faster, operate more efficiently and reach more customers. It also announced expanded next-day delivery in major metros and enhanced omnichannel opportunities — including showcasing Marketplace items in-store.
- Chipotle launches ‘Zipotle’ drone delivery in Dallas Chipotle Mexican Grill is partnering with an autonomous drone provider to offer a new delivery option. The quick-service retailer is utilizing quiet, zero-emissions automated drone aircraft from Zipline to fly digital orders to a small number of customers in greater Dallas. Eligible customers can download the Zipline app and place their Chipotle order. Employees will then place the order into a “Zipping Point,” which allows Zipline drones to autonomously pick up the order for delivery.
- Fabletics tracks in-store inventory with RFID, mobile app Fabletics is rolling out the GreyOrange gStore retail SaaS application at more than 100 stores across North America. Using integrated analytics made accessible by handheld RFID readers, store associates can see precisely where inventory is located, including seeing if items are abandoned in dressing rooms or left in the wrong section, and associates also know immediately if products are running low on the floor.
- Best Buy more than doubles inventory with online marketplace Best Buy is offering a digital marketplace on its e-commerce site and app, more than doubling the number of products available and adds new brands, categories and products to its assortment. Built on the Mirakl digital marketplace platform, Best Buy Marketplace represents the largest-ever expansion of the retailer’s product assortment and adds categories including seasonal decor, automotive tech, office and home, movies and music, musical instruments, and toys.
- Saks’ new ‘hyper-personalized’ homepage drives revenue increase Saks Global has completed the rollout of a personalized homepage on Saks Fifth Avenue’s online site and mobile app. The new “hyper-personalized” homepage experience is unique to each individual customer and tailored to their preferences, using machine learning algorithms that leverage real-time customer behavior. Saks aims to promote fashion discovery while increasing customer lifetime value and loyalty by serving extremely relevant content to every customer.
- Bassett Furniture uses delivery photos to generate follow-up sales Basset Furniture is leveraging its customer delivery experience by turning “proof of delivery photos” into a sales and engagement tool. By implementing DispatchTrack’s delivery management platform, Bassett’s design consultants use delivery photos to identify follow-on opportunities with recent customers and generate new sales. Consultants review post-delivery photos captured by drivers, do virtual room assessments and suggest complementary products to customers.
- Amazon launches one of its most ‘significant’ grocery expansions Amazon has rolled out same-day delivery of fresh perishable groceries to more than 1,000 cities and towns. It plans to expand the initiative to more than 2,300 areas across the U.S. by the end of 2026. Amazon said its specialized temperature-controlled fulfillment network ensures customers receive fresh, high-quality perishable grocery items, with every item undergoing a six-point quality check upon arrival and before leaving for delivery.
- Northeast Grocery’s digital transformation delivers $40 million in savings Northeast Grocery has modernized its IT infrastructure in a move that has paved the way for future growth and innovation. Global technology services provider DXC Technology announced its strategic role supporting the digital transformation of Northeast Grocery Inc. and leading the modernization of Northeast Grocery’s IT infrastructure, delivering more than $40 million in savings over five years and setting the stage for future innovation.
- Tommy Bahama to adopt mobile-first POS solution across all its 160 stores Tommy Bahama is rolling out a mobile-first point-of-sale solution that will give store employees everything they need to effectively and efficiently serve customers. The brand has selected Aptos One, a mobile-first point of sale application built on a cloud-native platform. With the solution, associates will have at their fingertips critical data such as real-time inventory information, advanced omnichannel selling and fulfillment options and guest insights.
- TotSquad partners with Target on baby ‘concierge’ program Tot Squad has acquired Gugu Guru’s concierge training program, “Gugu Concierge,” giving the platform access to proprietary training content and tools designed to elevate the in-store and online experience for families nationwide. The acquisition will support its growing partnership with Target as the two brands roll out a “first-of-its-kind” Baby Concierge program. Tot Squad’s trained experts will guide Target customers online through registry creation and product recommendations.
Source: Chain Store Age