Williams Sonoma is showing how AI can strengthen customer service without replacing the human expertise that defines its brands, as CX Dive reports. The retailer is using AI to improve everything from personalization and product discovery to inventory management and customer support, including AI assistants that help shoppers find the right products and connect with human experts when needed. Early results suggest the approach is paying off: AI-assisted experiences are helping resolve customer questions, improve conversion, and create more personalized shopping journeys—demonstrating how established retailers can combine proprietary customer data, technology, and human expertise to deliver better service at scale, according to CX Dive. 

Learn more here.

Best Buy Bets on Speed, Convenience and Expertise to Improve Customer Experience 

Best Buy is investing across its digital and physical experiences to make shopping faster, easier, and more helpful for customers, as Retail Dive reports. From dedicated in-store spaces where trained employees can guide shoppers through emerging technologies like AI-enabled devices and virtual reality, to improvements that simplify appliance delivery, pricing, and service scheduling, the retailer is focusing on removing friction throughout the buying journey. The strategy reflects a broader approach to customer experience that combines technology with employee expertise—giving shoppers greater convenience while still providing access to knowledgeable people when they need additional support, according to Retail Dive. 

Learn more here.

H&M Uses AI to Turn Smarter Inventory into a Better Customer Experience 

H&M is bringing AI and real-time inventory intelligence into hundreds of stores to make it easier for employees to keep products available and help shoppers find what they’re looking for, as CSA reports. By combining RFID technology with AI-powered inventory management, the fashion retailer can gain a clearer picture of where merchandise is located, which products are moving quickly, and when items need to be replenished. Behind the scenes, H&M is also using automation across its distribution network to improve fulfillment and accelerate e-commerce deliveries. Together, these investments illustrate how smarter operations can have a direct impact on the customer experience by improving product availability, speeding up service, and creating a more seamless connection between stores and online shopping, according to CSA. 

Learn more here.

By bringing RapidTalk’s technology into Skipio, the company is strengthening its ability to support the full customer journey—from the first enquiry to ongoing engagement. The acquisition will help Skipio customers capture more leads and turn missed calls, unanswered texts, and web chats into booked revenue. For Carl Case, the acquisition also represents an important milestone in RapidTalk’s evolution from a focused solution into technology capable of supporting customer communication at scale. 

Why it matters: 

• Businesses can engage prospective customers quickly, even when their teams can’t respond immediately. 

• Missed calls, texts, and web chats can be converted into qualified leads and booked revenue 

• The combined technology helps Skipio support businesses from the first customer enquiry through ongoing engagement. 

Learn more here.

Mauricio Leyva has stepped into the CEO role at 7-Eleven Inc. at a pivotal moment for the convenience retailer, with the brand approaching its 100th anniversary and looking to strengthen its foodservice and customer experience across North America, as CSP reports. While 7-Eleven has found success with fresh and prepared foods in markets such as Japan, bringing a similar strategy to the U.S. presents a different challenge because many American locations are operated by franchisees rather than directly by the company. Leyva, who has emphasized listening, trust, and consistent execution as leadership priorities, will now have to balance collaboration with franchise owners, evolving consumer expectations and the company’s ambitions to redefine what convenience looks like for customers, according to CSP. 

Learn more here: 7-Eleven is ready to ‘redefine convenience,' new CEO Mauricio Leyva says 
 

Influencer Marketing Is Reshaping Luxury Hospitality 

Luxury hospitality brands are increasingly treating social media creators as an essential part of how they build excitement, attract guests, and stay culturally relevant, as Digital Journal reports. The collaboration between Runway Influence and Tao Group Hospitality illustrates this shift, with influencer-led activations supporting high-profile Las Vegas destinations including OMNIA Nightclub and Palm Tree Beach Club. By placing creators, models, and other digital personalities inside premium experiences, these campaigns turn events into shareable content that can reach audiences well beyond the venue itself. The approach highlights a broader change in nightlife and hospitality marketing: instead of simply advertising an experience, brands are using creators to show audiences what it feels like to be part of it—extending the impact of launches and events across social media long after the night ends, according to Digital Journal.  

Learn more here: Runway influence and Tao Group Hospitality: How influencer marketing is transforming luxury hospitality 

Private Label Gains Ground as Shoppers Rethink Brand Loyalty 

As consumer goods prices climb, shoppers are increasingly choosing products based on value and quality rather than the name on the package. New findings from NielsenIQ (NIQ) show that private-label products have evolved beyond their traditional reputation as budget alternatives and are now competing with national brands across value, mainstream, and even premium categories. According to NIQ, 58% of consumers say they simply buy what they need regardless of whether it comes from a national or private-label brand, while 69% believe private label offers good value for the money. Younger consumers appear particularly receptive to the shift, with 67% of Gen Z shoppers saying private-label products can be just as good as national brands. For retailers, that changing mindset creates an opportunity to expand store brands through better products, packaging, and premium offerings while giving increasingly selective consumers more reasons to look beyond familiar brand names. 

Learn more here: 58% of Consumers Say They Don't Care Whether a Product is a National Brand or Private Label. They Just Buy What They Need 

The updated APP program also puts a greater emphasis on rewarding practice growth. New Portfolio Levels allow eligible customers to begin earning pricing benefits sooner based on purchasing volume across the Allergan Aesthetics portfolio, with additional rewards available for first-time members, growing practices, and long-standing customers. Allergan Aesthetics is also introducing a BOTOX® Cosmetic Growth Benefit, which provides eligible practices that achieve qualifying quarterly growth with a rebate on eligible BOTOX® Cosmetic purchases—adding another incentive for practices to expand their relationship with the company. 

Why it matters:  

• The changes position APP as more than a traditional loyalty program by tying benefits more closely to practice purchasing and growth. 
• Allowing more products and eligible purchases to count toward benefits may encourage practices to expand their use of the Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. 
• Benefits for new members, growing practices, and established customers give Allergan Aesthetics more ways to attract, retain and reward practices over time. 

Learn more here: Allergan Aesthetics Refreshes Allergan Partner Privileges® to Better Support Today's Modern Aesthetics Practices - Aug 11, 2026 

Further reading: Unlocking Trapped Value: How Partnerships Can Break Down Loyalty Silos 

Dunkin’ is kicking off pumpkin season by giving away one million free espresso beverages to Dunkin’ Rewards members. Members can use the code EASYCHOICE to redeem a free espresso drink while supplies last, giving customers a chance to sample the brand’s fall lineup. Seasonal offerings include the Pumpkin Cloud Dunkalatte, Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte and Nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte, alongside non-pumpkin options such as the Tiramisu Cloud Latte and Tiramisu Shakin’ Espresso. The promotion combines one of Dunkin’s biggest seasonal moments with a limited-time Rewards incentive designed to drive customers to its app and encourage a trial of new and returning fall beverages. 

Learn more here.

Jersey Mike’s Sees Plenty of Runway for Growth 

Jersey Mike’s may have experienced some early volatility following its stock market debut, but the sandwich chain’s underlying growth story remains strong, as QSR Magazine reports. The brand finished 2025 with more than 3,200 restaurants, roughly tripling its footprint over the past decade while increasing average unit volumes from about $825,000 in 2016 to nearly $1.4 million. Jersey Mike’s has also recorded 20 consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth and has a development pipeline exceeding 1,600 locations, with existing franchisees responsible for more than 90% of those commitments. Looking ahead, the company sees opportunities to grow through new domestic and international restaurants, greater digital and loyalty engagement, catering and more targeted marketing, as it works toward its long-term ambitions of 7,500 U.S. locations and 15,000 globally, according to QSR Magazine. 

Learn more here.

Domino’s Bets Big on Its New Pizza for One 

Domino’s is making an ambitious play for its next signature menu item with the nationwide launch of the Domino, a Detroit-style individual pizza designed around customization, convenience, and portability, as NRN reports. Shaped like the company’s familiar logo and divided into two slices, the personal-sized pizza features parmesan-encrusted, buttery-flavored dough, two layers of cheese, a choice of sauce, and up to three toppings. Domino’s is backing the launch with its “Is the Domino Worthy?” campaign, which invites consumers to compare the new offering with recognizable fast-food staples from other major chains. The launch also gives Domino’s a product specifically designed for customers who want their own pizza and toppings rather than having to compromise when ordering for a group, according to NRN. 

Learn more here.

Dunkin’ is kicking off pumpkin season by giving away one million free espresso beverages to Dunkin’ Rewards members. Members can use the code EASYCHOICE to redeem a free espresso drink while supplies last, giving customers a chance to sample the brand’s fall lineup. Seasonal offerings include the Pumpkin Cloud Dunkalatte, Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte and Nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte, alongside non-pumpkin options such as the Tiramisu Cloud Latte and Tiramisu Shakin’ Espresso. The promotion combines one of Dunkin’s biggest seasonal moments with a limited-time Rewards incentive designed to drive customers to its app and encourage a trial of new and returning fall beverages. 

Learn more here.

Jersey Mike’s Sees Plenty of Runway for Growth 

Jersey Mike’s may have experienced some early volatility following its stock market debut, but the sandwich chain’s underlying growth story remains strong, as QSR Magazine reports. The brand finished 2025 with more than 3,200 restaurants, roughly tripling its footprint over the past decade while increasing average unit volumes from about $825,000 in 2016 to nearly $1.4 million. Jersey Mike’s has also recorded 20 consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth and has a development pipeline exceeding 1,600 locations, with existing franchisees responsible for more than 90% of those commitments. Looking ahead, the company sees opportunities to grow through new domestic and international restaurants, greater digital and loyalty engagement, catering and more targeted marketing, as it works toward its long-term ambitions of 7,500 U.S. locations and 15,000 globally, according to QSR Magazine. 

Learn more here.

Domino’s Bets Big on Its New Pizza for One 

Domino’s is making an ambitious play for its next signature menu item with the nationwide launch of the Domino, a Detroit-style individual pizza designed around customization, convenience, and portability, as NRN reports. Shaped like the company’s familiar logo and divided into two slices, the personal-sized pizza features parmesan-encrusted, buttery-flavored dough, two layers of cheese, a choice of sauce, and up to three toppings. Domino’s is backing the launch with its “Is the Domino Worthy?” campaign, which invites consumers to compare the new offering with recognizable fast-food staples from other major chains. The launch also gives Domino’s a product specifically designed for customers who want their own pizza and toppings rather than having to compromise when ordering for a group, according to NRN. 

Learn more here.

Rewards members can play one randomized game each day: the Big Yellow Cup Flip Challenge, where players try to land Dickey’s iconic cup upright; Memory, a timed Dickey’s-themed card-matching game; or Catcher, where players build a barbecue sandwich by catching falling ingredients. Members earn points just for playing and can earn up to 30 loyalty points each week by successfully completing all three weekly challenges. The games add another layer to Big Yellow Cup Rewards, which already gives members 10 points for every dollar spent, along with exclusive offers, personalized perks and freebies. 

Why it matters: 

• Gamification creates another reason to open the app beyond simply placing an order. 

• Rewarding everyday engagement can help Dickey’s deepen relationships with its most loyal customers and encourage repeat visits. 

• The launch shows how restaurant brands can make loyalty programs more interactive, connecting digital entertainment directly with rewards that drive customers back to the brand. 

Learn more here.

Peacock is experimenting with a new loyalty program designed to give longer-tenured subscribers more reasons to stick around, arriving alongside the streaming service’s latest subscription price increase, as Gadget Review reports. The invite-only beta sorts eligible subscribers into Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers based on how long they’ve been members, with perks ranging from NBC and Bravo merchandise discounts to a complimentary year of Instacart+ and a Pizza Hut offer tied to watching movies on the platform. Beyond the individual rewards, the move signals a broader shift in streaming strategy: as services mature and prices rise, retaining existing customers—and encouraging them to watch more—may be becoming just as important as attracting new ones, according to Gadget Review. 

Learn more here.

American Express and Bread Financial Bring New Rewards to NFL Fans 

American Express and Bread Financial are teaming up with the NFL to give football fans more ways to turn everyday spending into team-related rewards and experiences, as PYMNTS reports. The NFL Extra Points Credit Card program brings cards for 18 NFL teams onto the American Express Network, with Bread Financial serving as the issuer, building on American Express becoming the NFL’s official payments partner for the 2026 season. Cardholders can earn enhanced rewards on eligible NFL and team purchases as well as dining, grocery, and food delivery spending, while accessing select discounts and American Express benefits. The collaboration reflects a broader push by card providers to use sports, entertainment, and exclusive experiences to make rewards programs more relevant to consumers’ interests and everyday spending, according to PYMNTS. 

Learn more here.

Netflix Looks Beyond Subscriptions with Brand Partnerships 

Netflix is continuing to explore ways to turn its popular shows into broader consumer experiences, with its Stella Artois partnership around The Gentlemen offering a glimpse at how branded collaborations could support the company’s growing advertising business, as Simply Wall St. reports. The multi-market campaign connects entertainment, consumer brands, and real-world experiences, giving Netflix another avenue to generate value from its intellectual property beyond subscriptions alone. If Netflix expands this approach across more franchises and global markets, brand integrations could become an increasingly important tool for attracting advertisers, strengthening fan engagement, and extending the commercial life of its biggest shows, according to Simply Wall St. 

Learn more here.

The partnership also comes with new incentives for Bilt Members who join Equinox, including 10,000 Bilt Points, a complimentary Personal Training session, and a complimentary 50-minute spa service. For a limited time, the “Bilt for the Committed” campaign will also reward consistency: eligible members can earn an entry with each daily club check-in for a chance to win one month of free rent and one month of covered Equinox membership dues, with additional winners receiving a spa service or Personal Training session. Together, Bilt and Equinox are betting that premium wellness can become a more seamless part of everyday neighborhood life. 

Why it matters:  

• The partnership connects rewards earned through housing and everyday spending with premium fitness and wellness experiences. 

• Integrating Equinox into Bilt’s Neighborhood Concierge brings fitness, wellness, and residential experiences into one ecosystem. 

• Housing, neighborhood benefits, rewards, and wellness become part of a single proposition centered on how members live and perform. 

Learn more here.

Chili’s is continuing to push its brand beyond the restaurant with a two-day golf-themed experience at DeBell Golf Club in Burbank, California, as NRN reports. The casual-dining chain is transforming the course’s clubhouse into the “Chili’s Golf Club,” complete with specialty margaritas, golf-inspired touches and a limited-edition apparel collaboration with activewear brand Rhoback. Supported by social content featuring golf personalities and creators, the activation reflects Chili’s broader strategy of inserting itself into cultural and lifestyle moments—from playful campaigns challenging fast-food pricing to experiences designed to generate conversation and social sharing, according to NRN. 

Learn more here.

Truist Targets Emerging Wealth with an Expanded Premier Banking Strategy 

Truist is strengthening its Premier Banking business as it looks to build relationships with emerging-affluent consumers and retain those clients as their wealth grows, as EMarketer reports. The bank is adding advisors and targeting customers with at least $100,000 in assets, with enhanced services beginning around the $250,000 level and a pathway toward higher-end wealth management as clients’ financial needs become more complex. The strategy comes as Truist sees a significant opportunity tied to the coming generational transfer of wealth and as competitors make similar moves to court affluent households. Beyond traditional benefits such as financial guidance and fee incentives, Truist is also exploring experience-driven rewards—including potential access to events like its PGA tournament—suggesting that lifestyle perks could become an increasingly important way for banks to differentiate their premium relationships, according to EMarketer. 

Learn more here.

Brands Serve Up Big Experiences Around the 2026 US Open 

The 2026 US Open is giving brands an expansive stage to connect with tennis fans as the tournament stretches across a record 22 days in New York, as Event Marketer reports. Sponsors and other marketers are capitalizing on the event’s growing cultural influence with experiences that extend well beyond traditional signage, including Dove’s style and confidence-focused programming, eos’ inclusive tennis clinics, evian’s anniversary celebration in Brooklyn, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium transportation for fans leaving late matches, and Lavazza’s interactive coffee lounge. Together, these activations show how major sporting events are increasingly becoming opportunities for brands to deliver useful, entertaining and culturally relevant experiences that give consumers a reason to engage before, during and after the competition, according to Event Marketer.  

Learn more here.