Some of the headlines in today’s podcast:

• Sales at U.S. grocery stores will increase 3.1% this year to $1.6 trillion — a notable increase from the 1.1% sales growth the sector recorded last year.
• Amazon expected to surpass Walmart in revenue.
• Target aims to drive $15 billion-plus in sales growth.
• Amazon revamped its personal AI assistant to make Alexa more “conversational, smarter and personalized”.
• Amazon is testing a feature that allows its search results to show select products it does not sell with links out to the brand’s website.
• Amazon discontinued Inspire, its TikTok-style shopping feature, to focus on AI.
• Nearly 3 in 5 consumers have replaced traditional search with generative AI .
• 41% of U.S. beauty sales happen online.
• Walmart launched Walmart Unlimited, a gamified shopping experience targeting younger consumers.
• DoorDash is expanding grocery delivery, adding four new partners and major chains like Ahold Delhaize and Wakefern.
• L’Oreal opens $160 million North America innovation facility.