Core Insights - Johnson Controls' retail solutions unit, Sensormatic Solutions, has launched a new electronic article surveillance (EAS)-based capability aimed at helping retailers tackle product-level losses, introduced at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show [1] Group 1: Product Overview - The Category-Level Shrink Insights ecosystem transforms existing EAS installations into an intelligence-driven loss prevention system, utilizing acousto-magnetic (AM) technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience [2] - This platform integrates Shrink Analyzer analytics with Sensormatic Solutions' established loss prevention capabilities, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating losses [2][3] Group 2: Functionality and Benefits - The system is designed to help retailers identify the origins of losses, pinpoint high-risk merchandise categories, and evaluate the operational impacts of shrinkage [3] - It combines analytics, exit systems, AM technology, source-tagging programs, and global support teams to deliver actionable insights [3][4] - The platform enables store-specific shrink reporting, organized retail crime (ORC) geo-mapping, predictive analysis, and video monitoring, enhancing visibility into loss patterns and risks at individual locations [5] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Category-level intelligence can inform merchandising and protection strategies, improving on-shelf availability, reducing shopper friction, and supporting omnichannel fulfillment [5] - The system's capability for faster deactivation of AM tags and labels aims to minimize nuisance alarms and streamline checkout processes, further enhancing the retail experience [6]

Core Insights - Sensormatic Solutions, a division of Johnson Controls, is introducing a new data-driven approach for retailers to prevent loss prevention (LP) and organized retail crime (ORC) using acousto-magnetic (AM) technologies [1] Group 1 - The new Category-Level Shrink Insights ecosystem aims to enhance existing electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems into a more intelligent loss prevention solution [1] - This initiative is expected to drive operational improvements for retailers by leveraging existing infrastructure [1]

Core Insights - Honeywell has launched a new AI-enabled Smart Shopping Platform in collaboration with Google Cloud and 66degrees, aimed at enhancing the in-store shopping experience through digital personalization and navigation [1][2]. Group 1: Product Features - The Smart Shopping Platform allows shoppers to easily locate products, compare items, and find substitutions for out-of-stock products, thereby improving shopping efficiency and enjoyment [1][2]. - It is a cloud-based solution that connects a retailer's digital data with the physical store environment, offering personalized guidance, real-time product information, and dynamic recommendations [2][3]. - The platform utilizes Google Cloud's AI to turn Honeywell devices into intelligent companions for shoppers and staff, streamlining operations and enhancing customer loyalty [3]. Group 2: Benefits for Retailers and Staff - Retailers can implement the Smart Shopping Platform as an 'out of the box' AI solution without needing to maintain a team of AI experts, thus simplifying the integration process [2]. - Retail associates equipped with Honeywell devices can provide customized guidance to shoppers, enhancing the customer service experience and allowing employees to act as in-house experts [4]. - The platform can help retailers increase basket size and build deeper customer loyalty through personalized recommendations based on buying history and preferences [3]. Group 3: Collaboration and Availability - The launch of the Smart Shopping Platform is part of an ongoing collaboration between Honeywell and Google Cloud to advance computing across various industries [5]. - The platform is set to be available to customers starting in February 2026 [5].

Core Insights - Sensormatic Solutions has introduced a new customizable electronic article surveillance (EAS) system called the FLEX platform, aimed at enhancing retail environments and customer experiences [1][2] - The FLEX platform integrates visual merchandising, digital content management, and loss prevention technology, allowing retailers to create engaging storefronts while deterring theft [1][2] - The system will be showcased at the 2026 NRF Big Show in New York City from January 11-13, where attendees can explore its features [3] Company Overview - Johnson Controls, the parent company of Sensormatic Solutions, focuses on transforming environments for various sectors, emphasizing smart and sustainable building solutions [4][5] - With a history of 140 years, Johnson Controls offers a comprehensive digital offering called OpenBlue, which includes a wide range of building technology and software solutions [5] Product Features - The FLEX platform is designed to increase foot traffic and sales by enhancing retail operations and customer engagement while minimizing shrinkage [7] - Its modular design allows for customization, enabling retailers to maintain brand experiences and adapt to changing trends [7] - The platform supports retail media network (RMN) performance by utilizing high-quality displays to capture shopper attention and create new revenue streams [7] Brand Positioning - Sensormatic Solutions has been a leader in retail technology for over 60 years, focusing on loss prevention, inventory intelligence, and traffic insights to help retailers innovate [8]

Core Viewpoint - Xerox and Lexmark have launched a unified suite of retail solutions at NRF 2026, marking their first joint appearance in the industry, which signifies a new era in retail technology [1] Group 1: Product Offerings - The combined company's offerings are designed to help brands "See It, Show It, Support It, Scale It," showcasing innovations aimed at enhancing retail operations [1] - The suite reflects decades of expertise in the retail sector, presented at the world's largest retail trade show [1] Group 2: Event Details - The NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show is ongoing and will run through January 13 [1]

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, will showcase its latest AI- driven hardware, software, and services at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show. Zebra's solutions will be featured in Booth #3303 from Jan. 11–13, 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. As retailers navigate a competitive landscape, they face growing pressures to meet rising cons. ...

Core Insights - Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc. is expanding its AlphaCash kiosk platform to enhance financial access for underbanked consumers within grocery and convenience retail environments [1][4][12] - The initiative aims to create a scalable model where physical retail locations serve as financial access points, supported by robust infrastructure and measurable engagement [2][6] Company Developments - Alpha Modus is focusing on a disciplined rollout of the AlphaCash kiosks over the next 24-48 months, aligning infrastructure with retailer demand and financial services utilization [5][12] - The CEO of Alpha Modus emphasized the importance of building durable infrastructure rather than merely launching kiosks, aiming to serve underbanked communities effectively [6][11] Industry Context - Approximately 22% of U.S. households are unbanked or underbanked, indicating a significant market for alternative financial services [12] - The check-cashing services market is projected to grow from around $27 billion in 2023 to nearly $69 billion by 2033, highlighting the demand for in-person financial services [12] - Convenience retailers are increasingly becoming neighborhood service hubs, providing extended hours and accessibility that traditional financial institutions often lack [12]

Retail Sales Forecast - The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December of 2025 will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024, translating to total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion [1] - In comparison, 2024's holiday sales rose 4.3% over 2023, reaching $976.1 billion [1] Supply Chain Adaptation - SPS Commerce's latest product announcements indicate that the future of retail supply chains will be defined by the ability to adapt to constant disruption rather than just incremental efficiency gains [2] - SPS believes AI will increasingly serve as the operating system for commerce, orchestrating inventory decisions, demand forecasting, and fulfillment coordination at machine speed [3] AI-Driven Supply Chains - SPS is positioning its network as essential for making AI-driven supply chains viable, with new AI-enabled fulfillment capabilities designed to enhance supplier performance and insights [4] - The company is a founding member of the Commerce Operations Foundation and supports the launch of the Order Network eXchange (onX) [4] Shared Operational Language - The ambition behind onX is to create a shared operational language for orders, inventory, and fulfillment data across commerce and logistics systems, enabling real-time data flow between various platforms [5] - This initiative aims to close the gap between selling channels and fulfillment execution, which has historically limited visibility and automation [5] Omnichannel Retail Expectations - As omnichannel retail becomes a baseline expectation, consumers no longer distinguish between ecommerce, stores, marketplaces, or drop-ship models, demanding speed and accuracy across all platforms [6] - For suppliers, this translates into managing more order types across multiple systems with little tolerance for error [6] Market Trends and Solutions - SPS Commerce is uniquely positioned to identify trends shaping the supply chain due to its access to wholesale and point-of-sale data from both retailers and suppliers [7] - The company designs solutions to help partners navigate changes in the supply chain rapidly [7]

Live Demonstrations with Microsoft to Highlight Enterprise Adoption [as AI Agents Drive Revenue at Scale]LONDON, Jan. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rezolve Ai (NASDAQ: RZLV), a leader in Agentic Commerce and AI-powered customer engagement, today announced its high-profile participation and sponsorship of NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, one of the world’s most influential retail events, where it will demonstrate how its Brain Suite of AI solutions is transforming retail through conversational AI, visual search, ...

Core Viewpoint - A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. has announced a share repurchase plan to buy back up to $20 million of its common shares, believing that the current market price does not reflect its underlying value and prospects [2][4]. Group 1: Share Repurchase Program - The Board of Directors has approved a Repurchase Program effective immediately, allowing the company to repurchase shares over a period of up to three months [1][4]. - The company will utilize existing cash and cash equivalents to fund the repurchase, and all shares bought back will be returned to treasury and cancelled [3]. - Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. has been engaged as the broker for the Repurchase Program, which may be executed through open market transactions or other methods, adhering to SEC regulations [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. specializes in innovative technology solutions, particularly in transforming retail experiences through its smart cart technology [5]. - The company's smart carts enhance the shopping experience by enabling in-cart scanning and payment, providing real-time offers and recommendations, and improving operational efficiency for retailers [5]. - The technology aims to bridge online and in-store shopping, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty while delivering data-driven insights for retailers [5].