Here are the recent happenings in the Retail and Consumer Tech world as of Mar 18, 2025…
U.S. retail sales saw a modest 0.6% rebound in February, signaling some consumer resilience despite growing economic headwinds, according to Reuters. However, this uptick may be short-lived, as the University of Michigan reported a sharp drop in consumer sentiment due to concerns over tariffs and inflationary pressures (Retail Dive).
Dollar General’s CEO, Todd Vasos, voiced similar caution, stating he does not anticipate “any near-term improvement” in consumers’ financial situations, especially for lower-income households (CSP Daily News).
Meanwhile, tech and innovation continue to dominate retail strategies. Kroger is piloting inventory robots to streamline store operations and optimize labor (NACS). Instacart is doubling down on AI, launching tools to promote healthy food choices and personalized grocery shopping experiences (Grocery Dive, Retail TouchPoints).
Spangle, a new player emerging from stealth mode, is leveraging “Agentic AI” and its proprietary ProductGPT to reimagine 1:1 commerce for retailers (BusinessWire). On the data side, Adobe reports that GenAI-driven traffic to retail websites is doubling every two months, underscoring the exponential impact of AI in shaping customer journeys (PYMNTS).
In parallel, Google is making a bold move by acquiring cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion, bolstering its position in the enterprise security landscape (CNBC).
Fast Company’s 2025 rankings also spotlighted the most innovative consumer electronics brands, naming Samsung, Apple, and newcomer Framework among the leaders (Fast Company).
Customer experience rankings also made headlines, with Chewy outperforming Amazon in overall customer satisfaction, signaling a shift in how e-commerce players are evaluated (Retail Customer Experience).
Lastly, fashion darling Guess saw its shares soar after announcing a $13 per share dividend amid a successful brand revival driven by nostalgic 90s trends (Sherwood News).
Retailers and brands appear to be balancing innovation with caution as they navigate an environment marked by consumer uncertainty, technological disruption, and rapid AI adoption.
This article was initiated using AI technology provided by Apple and OpenAI.
