Retail Technology News: September update

Retailers in September 2026 focused technology efforts in areas including driverless trucks, AI shopping and in-store kiosks.

Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in September, starting with the most recent.

•Ikea to debut autonomous middle-mile delivery Ikea is moving out of a four-year pilot of autonomous driving technology into full deployment. The Sweden-based global furniture giant will roll out driverless trucks from Kodiak in its U.S. supply chain later this year. Ikea will be the first company to fully launch Kodiak’s driverless freight capabilities with no human safety observer in the cab.

•Tractor Supply Company opens first automated distribution center The newest supply chain hub for Tractor Supply Company is debuting an artificial intelligence-based architecture for the retailer. The distribution center is the first facility in the entire Tractor Supply network to implement Knapp OSR/ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) technology, including automatic conveying systems designed to store, sequence and move products safely and more efficiently.

•JD Sports aligns product catalog with agentic commerce JD Sports is optimizing its enterprise to respond effectively to queries from artificial intelligence-based shopping agents. The U.K.-based global sports footwear and fashion company has deployed Algolia AI technology as the governed intelligence layer to build its agentic commerce strategy. Since implementing Algolia, the retailer says it has increased revenue from search by 22%, lifted search click-through rates by 7.65%, increased product listing page (PLP) click-through rates by 73% and grown PLP revenue by 16%.

•Sam’s Club predicts customer purchase behavior with AI Sam’s Club is introducing new predictive precision targeting capabilities and new features of its Omni-Impact proprietary AI measurement tool. Both use customer data to help brands participating in its Sam’s Club Connect retail media network identify future growth opportunities and better understand the impact of their investments.

•Tapestry enables direct Google AI purchase of Coach, Kate Spade items Tapestry Inc., parent company of fashion brands such as Kate Spade and Coach, is making products from those brands purchasable directly from Google Search, including AI Mode and the Gemini agentic AI app. Tapestry seeks to eliminate the need for website redirects and streamline the path to purchase and implemented the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).

•JCPenney parent Catalyst Brands expands employee ‘super app’ rollout Catalyst Brands is rolling out an artificial intelligence-based employee app to frontline associates at all five of its banners. Catalyst Brands will implement the WorkJam app for use by approximately 70,000 associates across North America at its Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand and Nautica banners.

•Morrisons unifies online order, delivery management U.K. supermarket retailer is leveraging technology from Instaleap, a company owned by Instacart that provides software for e‑commerce fulfillment and last‑mile operations, to manage orders across its marketplace channels. Utilizing Instaleap, Morrisons manages online orders across third-party delivery platforms including Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo.

•Pilot deploys fast food kiosks Pilot has installed 156 self-order kiosks in its 78 Wendy’s locations across North America. Using the kiosks, customers can customize menu items, add or remove ingredients and review their selections before placing an order. According to Pilot, this improves order accuracy and allows customers to build meals to match their preferences, such as substituting a baked potato instead of fries.

•Sephora to debut on TikTok Shop with monthly drops The “Sephora Drop Shop" on TikTok Shop offers exclusive monthly drops featuring curated selections from its brands. Each drop includes teasers, interactive experiences and creator-led content, culminating in an official TikTok Live livestream shopping event with a celebrity host, brand founders, and creators.

•H&M tracks store inventory in real time with RFID, AI H&M Group is deploying the GreyOrange AI-based gStore inventory platform, which includes merchandising software and connects with technologies such as RFID readers and smart mirrors, at hundreds of retail locations globally. The gStore platform uses sensor-agnostic technology, including overhead or handheld RFID readers, to locate specific inventory items to within three to five feet.