Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: here are this week’s biggest retail technology stories — Retail Technology Innovation Hub in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
4. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits deploys Corvus Robotics drone inventory system in USA
Corvus Robotics and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits have announced a technology partnership and expanded deployment of the Corvus One autonomous inventory management system across Southern Glazer’s distribution network.
Over the past 18 months, it has deployed more than 40 Corvus One autonomous drones across nine distribution centres in the US, with expansion planned.
Corvus One operates within warehouse environments, autonomously flying aisles to scan and validate reserve storage locations without disrupting case picking operations. According to Corvus Robotics, the result is hands free, high frequency inventory audits that sync directly with Southern Glazer’s WMS, freeing the team to focus on higher value tasks. The system has completed approximately 5,000 flights and identified over 35,000 verified discrepancies across deployed facilities.
5. M&S purchases 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences to equip employees with AI and Agentic AI tools
M&S reports that it is giving its store managers and support centre colleagues AI and Agentic AI tools, with the aim of making tasks like accessing data and analysis quicker and simpler, freeing up time to focus on customers and colleagues.
The retailer is purchasing 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences, supported by a training and development programme. A partnership with Microsoft is supporting the use of AI at scale across the organisation.
M&S CEO Stuart Machin says: “We’re already embedding AI across M&S – supporting stock forecasting and ordering, generating marketing materials, and powering a colleague help hub with AI agents. Now 11,000 colleagues will have AI support at their fingertips, pulling together summaries from multiple sources and giving them the data, analytics and insights they need in seconds.”
“As we reshape M&S for growth, scaling the use of AI is central to our technology transformation and today’s announcement is just one of the steps forward on that journey.”
6. Gap Inc. looks to push how AI technology can elevate its customers’ online shopping experience
Gap Inc., the parent company of Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, has introduced two new AI technologies designed to boost the online shopping experience for its customers.
Built on Google Cloud data, these are personalised fit guidance from Bold Metrics’ Agent Sizing Protocol and support for Google’s new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), in a bid to enable more seamless conversational and agentic commerce experiences.
“We are not pursuing AI for novelty,” says Sven Gerjets, Chief Technology Officer, Gap Inc. “These partnerships are about solving real customer problems – helping shoppers feel confident about fit and making it easier to complete a purchase. They also reflect the holistic AI strategy we’ve built to scale intelligence across the enterprise in a disciplined way that drives measurable value over time.”
7. Circa Resort & Casino and VenHub Global team on first of its kind autonomous store deployment
VenHub Global and Circa Resort & Casino have announced a partnership that will bring the former’s autonomous smart store offering to the latter’s guests. Measuring 66 feet x 10 feet by 10 feet, the installation will debut at Circa Resort later this spring.
Circa will introduce what is pitched as a first of its kind retail attraction comprised of three VenHub autonomous smart stores customised into a single, integrated, and continuously operating solution.
This will give guests the ability to autonomously browse and purchase food, snacks, alcohol, and smokeless tobacco products at any hour, without wait times, checkout lines etc.
“We’re always looking for ways to stay on the forefront of what’s next and deliver experiences our guests can’t find anywhere else,” says Derek Stevens, Founder and CEO, Circa Resort & Casino.
“This is more than a retail concept, it is a one of a kind attraction that brings together cutting-edge technology, convenience, and entertainment in a way that’s unique to Circa. Just like Stadium Swim and The World’s Largest Sportsbook, this is about creating a true destination moment, and we’re excited to partner with VenHub to introduce something entirely new to Las Vegas.”