🕔 Retail Daily Minute | Walmart Supercharges Sparky, DoorDash Takes On Holiday Returns & Ahold Delhaize USA Overhauls Its POS

Hello Omni Talk Fans! You have got to hand it to Walmart. They keep innovating in ways others can’t touch.

In today’s Retail Daily Minute:

Walmart adds six new capabilities to its Sparky AI shopping agent, including a feature that lights up shelf labels to guide shoppers in-store.
DoorDash unveils its holiday playbook, headlined by a nationwide rollout of $7.99 at-home Dasher Returns, consumer catering, and $12 meal boxes.
Ahold Delhaize USA begins a multi-year rollout of NCR Voyix’s commerce platform across POS, self-checkout, pharmacy, and fuel, now live in 100 stores.

Plus, a movie quote from a character whose nickname was “Sparky.”

👇 Listen now

Today’s Top Headlines

1. Walmart Unveils New AI Shopping Features for Holiday Shoppers

Walmart has added six features to its Sparky AI shopping assistant ahead of the holidays. Shoppers can turn photos or handwritten lists into carts, find products through flashing shelf labels, plan recipes and discover healthier alternatives. The retailer is also expanding Sparky to Canada, Mexico and Sam’s Club members. (Read More)

2. DoorDash Launches Holiday Deals, Gifts and Hosting Essentials

DoorDash is expanding its holiday offerings with a new in-app gifting hub, Black Friday discounts of up to 50% and daily DashPass deals. Customers can order Christmas trees, gifts and catering through the app, while a nationwide rollout of $7.99 Dasher Returns will simplify eligible retail returns without boxes or labels. (Read More)

3. Ahold Delhaize USA Upgrades Store Operations With NCR Voyix

Ahold Delhaize USA is expanding its partnership with NCR Voyix to modernize store operations across its grocery brands. The multiyear rollout covers checkout, self-checkout, pharmacy and fuel services, with new point-of-sale technology in 100 stores. The upgrade aims to streamline operations and improve shopping experience. (Read More)

4. Starbucks Q4 Same-Store Sales Rise Amid Strong U.S. Momentum

Starbucks reported a 7.2% rise in global same-store sales in fiscal Q4, fueled by 7.7% growth in the U.S. as customer traffic and average spending increased. Revenue fell 4% to $9.1 billion, largely due to its China business restructuring. The results signal progress in its Back to Starbucks turnaround and growth strategy. (Read More)

5. Amazon CEO Highlights Retail Business Strength Amid Q3 Gains

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy highlighted the strength of its retail business as Q3 online store sales rose 2% to $68.5 billion and physical store sales climbed 2% to $5.7 billion. Fresh groceries and essentials grew three times faster than other categories, while Alexa for Shopping users also spent 50% more per order in the U.S. (Read More)

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