Retail Radar: Walmart's Retail Media Impressions; Amazon's AI Assistant
Path to Purchase Institute members have access to regularly updated retailer profiles, which can be found here. Recent news includes Meijer offering teacher-curated, shoppable school supply lists and Ace Hardware's centennial year being one full of ribbon-cuttings.
Click on the headlines below to visit the profiles and find more information.
Meijer Goes Back to School
In addition to rolling out private-label SKUs catering to back-to-school shoppers, the retailer is offering a digital School Supply List, which lets parents enter their ZIP code, search their school's supply lists — which includes perennial favorites such as Crayola crayons and Elmer's glue — then add items to their carts. The tech is accessible through QR codes in-store or through the Meijer app or website.
Family Dollar Collaborates
The discount retailer is partnering with brand incubator Innovative Beauty Group to launch a haircare line, the Crown Hair Society, which will be exclusive to Family Dollar.
Ace Hits Milestone
The hardware cooperative celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, which includes its 5,000th U.S. store and plans to add more than 200 locations by the end of 2024. It's also growing its home repair and services segment, with more than 400 locations serving more than 5,000 ZIP codes in the continental 48.
Walmart Retail Media Might
Market researcher Sensor Tower compiled first quarter data for 2024 and found that Walmart led the way in onsite and offsite retail media with more than 11 billion impressions.
Amazon's AI Assistant
After a successful pilot, Amazon has made Rufus, its generative AI-powered shopping assistant, available to all U.S. customers who shop its app.
Walgreens Expands Private Label
The drugstore chain has launched Nice! For You, an extension of its Nice! brand. Nice! For You includes approximately 150 grocery SKUs. Products are formulated without ingredients such as artificial flavors and high-fructose corn syrup.