Walmart and Target Turn to AI to Increase Efficiency

MarketScale
MarketScale
Aug 29, 2019

 

E-commerce has rippled through the retail industry from the legacy brands to family-owned businesses. Delivery times have never been quicker, and orders have never been easier to complete.

Efficiency is the name of the game in retail as it is across industries, and advancements in artificial intelligence is at the core of this boom.

While data and customizable shopping experiences began to take form with online giants like Amazon, brick-and-mortar legacy stores like Target have increased AI usage to succeed recently as well.

In its recent quarterly earnings report, Target smashed analyst expectations off the back of its ability to deliver products to customers within 24 hours.

Rival Walmart also saw a 2.8% bump in same-store sales in the second quarter using a similar AI-based approach to physical retail. The company automated shipment unloading, used robots to clean and restock shelves and increased self-checkout stations. All the while, Walmart collects data from these processes to further refine their shopping experience.

It is clear that the industry is taking note. According to a study conducted by Juniper Research, global spending on AI is set to reach $7.3 billion by 2022.

Tune in to Business Casual, MarketScale’s live radio broadcast, every Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m. CST.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

data center design
Applied Digital’s Data Center Design for a 100 MW AI Factory Built from the Ground Up
July 2, 2025

AI workloads are redefining the limits of data center design and infrastructure. Legacy data centers, built for traditional co-location, cannot handle the density, thermal demands, or power dynamics of accelerated computing. The AI boom has upended the data center sector, forcing a rapid shift to liquid-cooled racks as facilities pivot from sub-10kW racks to…

Read More
Commerce media
A Look at the Rise of Commerce Media Networks: How Nift Helps Brands Own How Their Message Shows Up
July 2, 2025

As traditional digital advertising struggles to retain consumer trust, brands are exploring new, more authentic ways to connect with shoppers. Platforms like commerce media networks, which weave together commerce, content, and data, are emerging as powerful tools in this shift. Research from MG2 Advisory reveals that only about 37% of consumers feel brands genuinely…

Read More
Hospitality leadership
Heart-First Hospitality Leadership: How Saying ‘Yes’ Transforms Guest Experiences, Boosts Staff Morale, and Drives Business Results
July 2, 2025

As the hospitality industry emerges from years of pandemic-driven upheaval, hospitality leadership is evolving to meet new challenges. Leaders are looking for new ways to retain staff, elevate guest satisfaction, and drive revenue without burning out their teams. One trend gaining traction is the power of “Yes”: empowering employees to say yes more often,…

Read More
civic leadership
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth’s Civic Leadership Journey: What Politics Teaches About People
July 2, 2025

What does a mayor learn about human nature? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Gerard Hudspeth, longtime mayor of Denton, Texas, and a respected figure in civic leadership. Drawing from his years in public service, Hudspeth explores how leading a city reveals the core…

Read More
Related
Commerce media
Software & Technology
A Look at the Rise of Commerce Media Networks: How Nift Helps Brands Own How Their Message Shows Up
July 2, 2025
bringing hospitality to retail
Healthcare
Bringing Hospitality to Retail as an Authentic Community Anchor: 15 Minutes with Coach’s Giovanni Zaccariello
June 11, 2025

Luxury retail is no longer confined to storefronts and seasonal campaigns. Brands are bringing hospitality to retail, building deeper emotional connections, and extending their presence beyond the product. Coach, among other heritage labels, is experimenting with cafés, branded bars, and immersive spaces that offer more than a transaction—they offer belonging. According to MG2 Advisory,…

Read More
LEGO
Healthcare
How LEGO Puts Play to Work Across Retail Experiences: Breaking Down the Formula with PJ du Toit
May 29, 2025

As in-store experiences become key to brand loyalty, LEGO is doubling down on its core brand essence of play, using it as both a design philosophy and a strategic lever. The company is transforming its physical spaces into destinations that spark imagination, encourage interaction, and strengthen emotional connections with shoppers of all ages. With…

Read More