"Consumers are turning to conversational AI for more of their shopping needs. AI-driven traffic to Target leapt 2,000% in the first quarter compared to last year. Shoppers can now browse product listings and buy items directly from Target in Google Search, including AI Mode, and the Gemini app. The capability comes thanks to the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). UCP creates a common language for AI agents and systems to work together, creating a seamless shopping journey every step of the way."

"The Minneapolis retailer said it will stop accepting personal checks in stores later this month, with the payment method dwindling in popularity through the years as more people use credit and debit cards as well as a growing segment of digital-exchange platforms."

"Starting Sunday, March 17, Target stores nationwide will move to "express self-checkout" with a limit of 10 items or fewer at the self-service registers, the company tells Axios."

"Visa and Mastercard currently facilitate more than three-quarters of all credit card transactions in the United States, at a time when post-pandemic Americans are now using credit or debit cards for roughly 57% of all transactions (in 2016, it was only 45%). Given the two companies’ long-standing dominance in the payments-processing space, what would it take to disrupt this duopoly and start a new payments Goliath? I’d like to direct your attention to the Target RedCard. The RedCard is Target’s umbrella name for its branded card products, which offer users a 5% discount on all purchases at Target stores and on Target.com. The RedCard is such an important KPI for Target that they break it out in every single earnings summary."