Retail stories
Merchant prices are being pushed higher as friendly fraud and chargeback costs intensify, with more than 83% reporting rises over three years.
Enterprise AI roll-outs will get closer monitoring as Endava adds Wiz tools to spot cloud risks earlier across multi-cloud systems.
The survey points to costly delays and missed messages as staff juggle seven channels, with frontline workers saying voice remains quickest in urgent cases.
Consumers may see very different beauty brand suggestions depending on which AI assistant they ask, a study has found.
Enterprises may gain safer, more portable AI deployments as Google Cloud adds an open knowledge standard, Apple privacy work and Claude availability.
Businesses can now query BigQuery in plain English, with Google adding audit trails, access controls and scheduled AI analyses.
The deal lifts Financeit's annual loan funding capacity to about C$2.5 billion as it seeks to expand home improvement lending.
The hire signals Bir's push to expand online retail in Azerbaijan, where eCommerce still makes up about 3% of sales.
Small firms can now gauge whether weak margins, slow payments or rising costs are sector-wide or company-specific using Xero's new peer data tool.
Retailers are turning to specialist search tools as the category grows, with Gartner valuing the market at USD $17.41 billion in 2025.
Brands using commerce media networks could get more precise targeting and personalised ads as first-party purchase data is linked to Adobe tools.
Certified apps could spare shoppers from carrying passports or driving licences as the UK moves to widen alcohol age checks from autumn 2026.
Most UK retailers still lack the loyalty infrastructure needed for agentic AI, as 72% say their systems are not fully ready.
Trust in AI and connected devices is helping lift device sales, while service gaps are pushing Indian buyers towards protection plans.
Rewards are now swaying 91% of US shoppers to buy again, with Amazon Prime, Walmart+ and Starbucks Rewards topping loyalty rankings.
Trust remains thin for AI-led shopping, with most UK adults saying they would reject systems that handle spending or payment data.
Clients seeking fewer vendors may now get workforce, technology and risk support from one provider as AI deployments scale beyond pilots.
The deal aims to cut admin for Bakers Delight franchisees and link payments with Microsoft Dynamics 365 across more than 500 Australian stores.
Retailers now face daily trading risk as PCI DSS 4.0 turns payment compliance into a continuous operational requirement, not an annual audit.
Younger consumers are shaping retail deal days, with Gen Z and Millennials far more likely than Boomers to use AI tools and spend more.
