Store Manager / Store Lead

Sporting JAX partners with Walmart to host "Shop with a Player" Back-to-School Event. Students from the Sporting JAX Foundation soccer clinics pair up with members of the Sporting JAX men's and women's teams for back-to-school shopping. Sporting Club Jacksonville partnered with Walmart today to host the first Sporting JAX Foundation Shop with a Player Back-to-School Event. Members of the Sporting JAX men's and women's professional soccer teams joined children from the Sporting JAX Foundation soccer clinics as they shopped for back-to-school supplies in preparation for the new school year. Each student was supplied with a $50 Walmart gift card provided by the Sporting JAX Foundation to use for any back-to-school supplies needed to help start the school year strong. Sporting JAX players, including names such as Georgia Brown, Meg Hughes, Luc Granitur and Tyshawn Rose, then accompanied a group of two to three students each through the store to shop. "We want to partner with the community, our players, our staff and most importantly the kids of Jacksonville," said Pat Waters, Sporting JAX President and Chief Revenue Officer. "It shows that it's important. You have professional soccer players from our men's and women's teams out here mentoring the kids, going around, looking for school supplies; it takes a little bit of that anxiety away and makes it fun for the kids, which is awesome." The attending students ranged from ages 4-16, and attend schools within multiple counties in the greater Jacksonville area. The funds provided by the Sporting JAX Foundation helped the students purchase items such as binders, pencils and new clothes. "I thought it was something very nice to do with the community because school can be expensive and being able to get that little help is always awesome," said Beatriz, a local mother whose daughters participated in Thursday's event. "When my girls found out, they were so excited. Especially [my daughter], she has done certain things with the [Sporting JAX Foundation] program; she was excited that she was going to meet the soccer players and everything." Sporting JAX's players enjoyed participating in the event, with it even reminding some of the excitement they experienced during Back-to-School season as children. They also acknowledged how the club's involvement with events like these can help uplift those in the community that they now call home. "The girls were really great; we had lots of fun shopping... they were so excited to go back to school, which is really nice to see," said Sporting JAX defender Georgia Brown. "I know it can be such a burden for some parents as well, so I think it's just a really good thing that Sporting JAX are doing to help alleviate some of that pressure from the parents." Sporting JAX kicks off their second season in the Gainbridge Super League on August 15 against Fort Lauderdale United FC. To learn more about the Sporting JAX Foundation and its mission, visit https://www.sportingjax.com/foundation/, and to purchase season tickets for Sporting JAX's women's season, you can visit https://www.sportingjax.com/season-tickets/, or call (904) 863-KICK to speak with a representative. About Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX) Sporting Club Jacksonville, or "Sporting JAX," was established in 2020 by a passionate group of Jacksonville-based owners and is driven by a bold vision to elevate the area's soccer scene and "Lift Every Voice," the club's motto. Named in collaboration with the First Coast community in 2023, the club fields a women's professional team in the Gainbridge Super League, which reached the playoffs in its inaugural season, and a men's professional team in the USL Championship. Sporting JAX will also spearhead the development of a 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities, positioning the First Coast as the new premier destination for soccer excellence. For more information, visit www.sportingjax.com. Get tickets now. * Dates * Date Range * Day of Week * Time of Day * Cities A press release (also known as a media release) is an official statement delivered to members of the news media for the purpose of providing information, creating an official statement, or making an announcement directed for public release. Discover more from LockedIN Magazine. 2026-08-06

Senate scrutinises ai-driven personalised pricing. A hearing led by Senator Josh Hawley examined whether companies can use browsing, location and purchasing data to charge different customers different prices for the same product. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee has examined the growing use of artificial intelligence and consumer data in pricing, amid concerns that companies may be able to charge different customers different amounts for the same goods or services. The hearing, chaired by Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, focused on what critics call "surveillance pricing": the use of data such as browsing history, location, past purchases, device activity and online behaviour to predict a consumer's willingness to pay. Hawley said the practice could turn personal data collection into a system for extracting the highest possible price from each individual. He cited ride-hailing data that he said showed Lyft charging 55 Missouri passengers 29 different prices for the same route at the same time. The hearing did not establish that every price difference was based on personal data; fares can also vary because of demand, supply, route conditions and other factors. The central concern is whether artificial intelligence allows companies to make such distinctions at a scale that consumers cannot see or challenge. Robert Hedges, a former chief data officer at Visa, told senators that companies can draw on a broad range of information to assess "willingness to pay." He said personalised pricing can benefit customers and companies in genuinely competitive markets, but warned that the same systems can automate price discrimination. Hillary Caron of the United Food and Commercial Workers union urged Congress to act before the practice becomes embedded in grocery retail. Electronic shelf labels, which allow prices to be changed remotely and quickly, have heightened concern because they could support rapid price adjustments. Their use alone does not prove that a retailer is setting individual prices from customer data. Walmart and Kroger are testing or expanding digital shelf-label technology. Kroger has said it does not use actual or inferred personal data to personalise or raise prices. No federal law specifically prohibits surveillance pricing, although Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey have enacted restrictions on the use of personal data to set individual prices. The hearing put federal action back on the agenda, but Congress has not yet advanced a nationwide measure.

Caper carts arrive in preston as scan-and-pay dominates in spain: highlighting july's top retail tech innovations - retail technology innovation hub. August 5, 2026 3 min. read Ocado Group: revolutionizing retail fulfillment. Introduction to Ocado Group. Ocado Group, a pioneer in online grocery retailing, has made headlines with its recent announcement of a significant agreement to construct a large customer fulfillment center (CFC) for a fast-growing European national retailer. While the identity of this retailer remains undisclosed, the partnership underscores Ocado's expanding influence in the realm of automated grocery solutions. Cutting-Edge technology implementation. The new CFC will be equipped with Ocado's Reimagined technology suite, which includes innovative features such as the 600s bot, On-Grid Robotic Pick (OGRP), and a fully automated freezer. This advanced technology is designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ultimately improve the customer experience. The facility is expected to go live in fiscal year 2028, with plans for the unnamed retailer to swiftly transition its existing online order volumes into the new center. Strategic growth and market demand. Tim Steiner, the Chief Executive of Ocado Group, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, stating, "I'm delighted that our world-leading automation and robotics have been chosen to help drive forward the online operations of another leading retailer." This sentiment reflects a broader trend in the retail industry, where there is a growing demand for automated solutions that can handle the complexities of online grocery shopping. The future of online grocery shopping. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, Ocado's commitment to innovation positions it as a key player in the future of online grocery shopping. The integration of advanced technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also meets the increasing consumer expectations for speed and convenience in their shopping experiences. Other retail innovations. While Ocado Group is making strides in automated fulfillment, other retailers are also embracing technology to enhance their operations and customer experiences. La-Z-Boy's 3D Cloud technology. La-Z-Boy has announced the expanded use of 3D Cloud technology, aimed at improving omnichannel shopping and design experiences. CEO Melinda Whittington emphasized the company's long-standing commitment to innovation, stating, "It's how we have met and continue to meet our customers, partners, and team members' ever-evolving needs." The upgraded technology allows for real-time visualization of products, significantly enhancing the customer shopping experience. Tesco's in-store robotics. Tesco is trialing Simbe's Tally, an in-store shelf scanning robot, in select locations. This initiative follows a similar trial by Morrisons, marking a significant step in the UK's retail technology landscape. The Tally robot aims to improve price accuracy and stock availability, ultimately enhancing the shopping experience for customers. Walmart's immersive shopping experience. Walmart has taken a leap into immersive virtual shopping with its platform, Realm. This initiative allows customers to explore themed dorm room inspirations while shopping for essential products. Justin Breton, Walmart's Head of Partnerships, highlighted the importance of blending inspiration with commerce, creating a unique shopping experience. Lidl's self-scanning trial. Lidl GB is expanding its Lidl & Go self-scanning trial to 37 additional stores, following positive feedback from an initial pilot. This feature, integrated within the Lidl Plus app, allows customers to scan products as they shop, providing greater control over their spending and a more seamless checkout experience. Sainsbury's facial recognition technology. Sainsbury's is rolling out facial recognition software in over 150 stores after a successful trial. This technology aims to deter repeat offenders and enhance store security. However, the implementation has not been without challenges, as a recent incident highlighted the potential for human error in identifying flagged individuals. Conclusion. The retail landscape is rapidly evolving, with companies like Ocado Group leading the charge in automation and technology integration. As retailers continue to innovate, the focus remains on enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency, setting the stage for a new era in grocery shopping.