Retail & Consumer Happenings – Jan 27, 2025

Here are the recent happenings in the Retail and Consumer Tech world as of Jan 27, 2025:

Kroger continues to redefine retail media with the launch of its advanced analytics platform, designed to go beyond click counting. This platform integrates in-store and online data, enabling more precise consumer insights and smarter advertising campaigns. Michael Schuh, VP of Kroger Precision Marketing, shared, “We’re empowering brands to measure actual sales impact, not just ad impressions.” Supermarket News.

Whole Foods Market, under CEO Jason Buechel, is scaling its global grocery footprint while investing heavily in automation and customer personalization. Bueche’s vision emphasizes expanding Whole Foods values-driven mission to new markets. Amazon News.

A recent survey by Cart.com revealed that enhancing customer experience and integrating new technologies are top priorities for retailers in 2025. With 68% of respondents emphasizing customer personalization, retailers are doubling down on tools that streamline operations and improve consumer loyalty. BusinessWire.

Meanwhile, Hy-Vee has made a bold move by appointing its retail media chief as its new Chief Marketing Officer. This shift highlights the growing intersection between retail media and marketing strategies. Supermarket News.

Retailers are also embracing hyper-personalization to deepen customer connections. According to PYMNTS.com, advances in AI and machine learning allow brands to create tailored experiences at scale, leading to higher conversion rates. PYMNTS.

Elsewhere, Walgreens stock surged amid reports that private equity firm Sycamore Partners may bid to acquire the pharmacy giant. Such a deal could mark one of the largest acquisitions in retail history. Barron’s.

Lastly, the self-checkout market is on track to hit $12 billion by 2032, according to EIN News. This growth reflects the retail industry’s push toward operational efficiency and improved customer experience through technology. EIN News.

Brought to you in collaboration by the teams at EVOA Digital, CPG Cloud Partners, and Red Stapler. This article was initiated using AI technology provided by Apple and OpenAI.