Hello Omni Talk Fans! On the Chris Walton scale of collective retail headlines that could shape the future, today’s triumvirate is a 10 out of 10.
In today’s Retail Daily Minute:
- Amazon discontinues its Amazon One palm recognition system.
- eBay bans unauthorized AI bots from making automated purchases on its platform.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club opens its second small-format BJ’s Market in Delray Beach, Florida.
Plus, a movie quote inspired by the Amazon headline.
👇 Listen now
Today’s Top Headlines
1. Amazon Discontinues Palm Recognition Amid Store Closures
Amazon is discontinuing its Amazon One palm recognition payment system on June 3, 2026, citing limited customer adoption, and will securely delete all customer data. The move coincides with closing all 72 Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores nationwide, marking a major retreat from physical retail experiments. (Read More)
2. eBay Restricts Unauthorized AI Shopping Agents from Platform
eBay is restricting unauthorized AI shopping agents and bots from accessing its platform, updating its user agreement to prohibit tools like Amazon’s “Buy for Me.” The company launched its own AI shopping assistant in May 2025, which provides personalized recommendations but doesn’t complete purchases automatically. (Read More)
3. BJ’s Opens Second Small-Format Market Store in Florida
BJ’s Wholesale Club opens its second BJ’s Market small-format store in Delray Beach, Florida, on January 30. At 55,000 square feet—half a typical BJ’s location’s size—it offers groceries, fresh foods, and produce for quick shopping trips. BJ’s is partnering with Feeding South Florida for regular food donations to the community. (Read More)
4. Target Exits Fortune’s Most Admired for First Time in 24 Years
Target dropped from Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies All-Star list for the first time in 24 years, after being ranked 27th in 2025. The Minneapolis retailer’s stock declined 27% amid controversies over scrapping diversity initiatives, facing boycotts from progressive groups, inflationary pressures, and Trump tariff impacts. (Read More)
5. Allbirds Closes Full-Price U.S. Stores in Shift to E-Commerce
Allbirds is closing all 21 full-price U.S. stores by February’s end, keeping only two outlet locations and two London stores. The footwear retailer is shifting focus to e-commerce, wholesale partnerships, and international distributorships as part of its turnaround strategy. Revenue fell 23% year-over-year in its most recent quarter. (Read More)
Upcoming Live LinkedIn Event
All Our FMI Midwinter Interviews
Be careful out there,
— Chris, Anne, and the entire Omni Talk team
Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.