Welcome to this week's AI edition of The Commerce Brief 🤖
✦ THIS WEEK’S AI INDUSTRY UPDATES
01. The beauty industry is outpacing wider retail when it comes to AI adoption, with brands deploying the technology across product discovery, personalisation, diagnostics and virtual try-on at a faster rate than other retail categories. (source)
02. EssilorLuxottica has doubled sales of its smart AI glasses developed in partnership with Meta, as consumer demand for AI-enabled eyewear continues to accelerate. The performance underscores the growing mainstream appeal of wearable AI in the consumer electronics and fashion space. (source)
03. Amazon has expanded its Hear audio shopping features with a real-time chat function, allowing shoppers to ask AI hosts questions via text or voice while listening to AI-generated product summaries. The feature builds on the "Join the Chat" tool launched earlier this year. (source)
04. Encore AI has raised $30m to build AI agents that learn from customer calls, with applications spanning retail customer service, sales and support. The platform analyses real conversations to train AI agents that can handle complex queries autonomously. (source)
05. THG Ingenuity has added its AI Stylist virtual try-on solution to the Google Cloud Marketplace, making it available to retailers globally. The tool is driving 6x higher conversions for retail partners compared to standard product pages, combining AI-generated imagery with personalised styling recommendations. (source) (source)
06. Morrisons has become the first UK retailer to deploy Instacart's AI-powered Caper smart trolleys, launching at its Preston supermarket. The trolleys automatically recognise items as they are placed in the basket, weigh fresh produce on the spot, and display a running total on a touchscreen to help customers stay on budget. Integrated with the Morrisons More Card loyalty programme, shoppers complete payment by scanning a barcode at a dedicated checkout lane. (source)
07. Inspectorio has partnered with Brazilian fashion brand Farm Rio to digitise its supply chain using AI-powered quality and compliance tools, streamlining production oversight and reducing manual inspection processes. (source)
08. Walmart is using AI to limit weather disruptions in its supply chain, deploying predictive models to reroute products and adjust inventory ahead of extreme weather events. The approach builds on the retailer's broader digital twin and AI logistics strategy. (source)
09. Kohl's has launched an AI shopping assistant on its website and mobile app, built with Google Cloud's Gemini. The tool offers personalised product recommendations, product comparisons, image search and promotions support, evolving from a Mother's Day Gift Finder into a full digital shopping assistant. (source)
10. lululemon is expanding its use of AI across personalisation, inventory management and customer engagement, embedding the technology deeper into its operations and digital experience as part of a broader technology strategy. (source)
11. Friend, the AI wearable companion, has returned with a new voice and a significantly higher price tag. The device, designed as an always-on AI companion worn around the neck, signals the growing market for personal AI hardware beyond smart glasses and earbuds. (source)
12. Meta says AI is making it easier to build new apps, with more commerce and retail applications expected as the company opens up its AI infrastructure to developers. The move could accelerate the development of AI-powered shopping experiences across Meta's platforms. (source)
