# Artificial Intelligence

Type: Technology

Source: Retail Intelligence Brief — https://getretailbrief.com/entity/artificial-intelligence
Canonical HTML page: https://getretailbrief.com/entity/artificial-intelligence

## Timeline

- **2026-03-16**: Series C Funding — Closes $36M round to accelerate AI roadmap and enter new international markets.
- **2025**: Market Milestone — Global international arrivals exceed pre-pandemic levels, reaching 1.52 billion.
- **2024**: Series B Expansion — Raises $20M co-led by Peak XV and Elevation Capital; begins aggressive international expansion.
- **2021**: Company Foundation — Atlys founded by Mohak Nahta; raises seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz.

## Recent coverage (8 stories)

### 40% of APAC shoppers now use AI tools—retailers must adapt or lose ground
2026-07-24 17:04:08 · Sentiment: Bullish · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 1

A DHL eCommerce survey reveals 40% of online shoppers in Asia Pacific already use AI, with 37% more willing to try. Combined with subscription growth and payment flexibility, retailers face mounting pressure to integrate these technologies to meet rising expectations for seamless, personalized commerce.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/apac-retail-ai-subscriptions-digital-payments-2026

### Walmart accelerates same-day delivery with AI, digital twins for 2M staff
2026-07-16 16:31:14 · Sentiment: Bullish · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 2

Walmart's retail operations are getting an AI overhaul, with supply chain technology designed to support same-day delivery and inventory precision. The disclosure from SVP Indira Uppuluri highlights how AI and digital twins are enabling faster, more reliable fulfillment for customers, directly impacting the e-commerce battle with Amazon. Retail analysts will note the workforce upskilling via Squiggly and partnerships with OpenAI and Google as a competitive differentiator.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/walmart-retail-ai-supply-chain-digital-twins

### Apple Laptops Jump 25% Amid $720B AI Spending Surge
2026-07-13 17:02:40 · Sentiment: Bearish · Impact: 8/10 · Sources: 7

Consumers face steeper prices for laptops, smartphones, and tablets as the $720 billion AI data center boom drives a 400% increase in memory chip costs. Apple’s recent 15–25% price hikes on MacBooks and iPads are the tip of an inflationary wave rippling through retail electronics, threatening back-to-school and holiday shopping demand.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/apple-laptops-25-percent-ai-spending-surge

### ₹2,499 AI Growth Suite Helps 200+ Retail Brands Scale Digital Marketing
2026-06-21 00:21:50 · Sentiment: Bullish · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 5

LiftU’s new AI-powered growth suite enables small retailers and D2C brands to manage social media, product visuals, and performance ads for just ₹2,499 per month, with 200+ brands already on board.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/liftu-2499-ecommerce-growth-suite-200-brands

### Snap Launches $2,195 Specs AR Glasses: Can a Social Media Firm Win in Luxury Tech Retail?
2026-06-17 11:02:26 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 2

Snap's $2,195 Specs target high-end consumer electronics, competing with Apple Vision Pro and Meta Ray-Ban. The direct-to-consumer move tests Snap's brand power and distribution strategy.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/snap-specs-retail-luxury-gadgets

### Atlys Secures $36M Series C to Scale AI-Driven Global Visa Infrastructure
2026-03-17 00:27:20 · Sentiment: Bullish · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 4

Visa-processing platform Atlys has closed a $36 million Series C funding round led by Susquehanna Asia VC to expand its global footprint and AI capabilities. The round, which includes strategic investment from MakeMyTrip, follows an 11x growth surge and a 700,000 annual visa processing run rate.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/atlys-series-c-funding-visa-processing-ai

### Block Slashes Workforce by 50% in AI Pivot; Shares Surge 25%
2026-02-27 04:10:29 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 8/10 · Sources: 2

Block is cutting over 4,000 jobs, nearly half its workforce, as part of a radical shift to embed artificial intelligence across its operations. The announcement triggered a 25% surge in after-hours trading as investors reward the company's aggressive move toward AI-driven margin expansion.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/block-layoffs-ai-overhaul-jack-dorsey

### Nordstrom Leverages AI to Transform Procurement and Sourcing Resiliency
2026-02-20 14:09:42 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 5/10 · Sources: 2

Nordstrom is implementing AI-driven solutions to gain deeper visibility into its procurement spend and enhance supply chain agility. Chief Procurement Officer Karoline Dygas emphasized at Manifest 2026 that these tools are essential for building a resilient sourcing strategy capable of navigating modern market disruptions.
Full story: https://getretailbrief.com/story/nordstrom-ai-procurement-sourcing-strategy

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This page is a machine-readable summary. Sentiment measures the directional read of each development for this entity, not the tone of the reporting; impact weights consequence, not syndication reach. See https://getretailbrief.com/guides/methodology for the full editorial methodology.