Sam's Club has redefined its approach to shopping by eliminating the boundaries between online and in-club experiences and enhancing its ecommerce capabilities with innovative services like AI-based pizza delivery, Scan & Go and Express delivery. The retailer's quick adaptation to pizza delivery, initially inspired by rotisserie chicken demand, now sees over 22,000 pizzas delivered weekly, supported by AI to help predict demand on busy pizza delivery days. Scan & Go, a member favorite, bridges digital and physical shopping experiences while Express delivery promises one-hour order fulfillment, boosting order frequency.

LVMH and other retailers are increasingly using AI to transform the in-store experience by optimizing operations and enhancing customer engagement. LVMH has introduced a data platform in collaboration with Google Cloud to enhance the in-store experience across its 75 stores, including Louis Vuitton, Sephora and Tiffany & Co. The AI-powered platform is designed to maintain each brand's distinctiveness while providing client advisors with tools to better understand customer preferences and suggest suitable products. This initiative aims to improve customer service by integrating store procedures and product information into a seamless advisory process.

Vipin Gopal has joined Ahold Delhaize USA as the senior vice president and chief data and AI officer, tasked with advancing the company's data and AI strategy. Gopal will lead efforts to modernize the grocer's digital capabilities and build an excellent data center. With over 25 years of data experience from leading roles at companies like Walgreens Boots Alliance and Eli Lilly and Co. Gopal states that he aims to "unlock new value through data, analytics and AI by enabling smarter decisions, greater efficiency and better experiences for customers and associates."

Sephora and Ulta Beauty have integrated AI into their platforms to stay competitive, with Sephora partnering with ChatGPT and Ulta with Google Gemini. These moves capitalize on the growing trend of consumers using AI for beauty product research, though the conversion rate from AI-driven searches to actual purchases remains uncertain. The initiatives also aim to gather valuable customer data and increase user engagement, as seen with Amazon's AI bot Rufus, which has significantly boosted sales.

Hershey has started using AI to strengthen its marketing efforts and decision-making. The company has developed a system that analyzes data from sources such as social media and streaming services to provide real-time insights, allowing Hershey to optimize advertising spend and respond to market trends more effectively. "It gives me the answers immediately and takes in the context of the current macroenvironment," said Vice President of Consumer Connections Vinny Rinaldi.

Papa Johns is launching a pilot program in Charlotte, N.C., to deliver its new oven toasted sandwiches via Wing drones, marking the first direct partnership between Wing, a Google subsidiary, and a national restaurant. This initiative is part of Papa Johns' ongoing collaboration with Google, which began with migrating its data centers to Google Cloud in 2021. The partnership aims to enhance customer interactions through digital platforms, integrating Wing's drone network with Papa Johns' app and AI assistant Lou.