The Week In News, But Shorter
September 29 – October 5, 2025

A Weekly PropTech Newsletter bringing you industry updates from across the real estate spectrum

We’ve talked about AI as a tool, and as a stakeholder, but news this week adds another layer: AI as a competitor. OpenAI rolled out “Instant Checkout,” enabling users to make purchases from Shopify and Etsy directly through ChatGPT. Google also announced AI-enabled conversational shopping “mode” where shoppers can ask natural questions and receive visual, personalized product recommendations as the default browsing experience. Taken together – along with news that a third of customers plan to use AI for holiday shopping – should have retail property owners continuing to take AI seriously. Last week we mentioned some simple ways to prepare, but those are table stakes. Are you ready to think bigger? We’re here when you are.

Also this week, drones and robots are a big part of the future of delivery, the old school catalog is new again, and attracting buzzy brands is as important as ever! Catch us over on LinkedIn, and otherwise we’ll be back in your inbox next week.

Digital Meets Physical

OpenAI takes on Google, Amazon with new agentic shopping system [TechCrunch] ChatGPT users in the U.S. can now make Etsy and soon Shopify purchases within conversations, marking a next step toward the future of online shopping In other words, OpenAI might be on the path to reshaping who holds power in e-commerce.

Google launches AI-enabled conversational shopping [Chain Store Age] Shoppers can now ask a question conversationally on Google and get a range of visual results with a new artificial intelligence-based tool.Google is letting consumers in the U.S. use a new solution called “AI Mode” that enables them to describe what they’re looking for like the way they would talk to a friend.

One-third of consumers plan to use AI for holiday shopping [RetailDive] Customers are using AI tools to search for better deals and gift ideas, but they remain skeptical of the technology, a UserTesting survey found.

Walmart now plans to bring drone deliveries to ‘most areas that we operate in,’ [Fortune] For more than half a decade, Walmart has been testing a variety of drones to assess the viability of airborne deliveries. The company now believes drone deliveries are ready to become a key part of the retail giant’s operations.

This Stylish Store Took Everything Offline and Made a Catalog Instead [The New York Times] For a certain subset of shopper, this fall’s most anticipated mailing is being delivered this week. It’s a catalog from the Brooklyn boutique Outline. Yes, a catalog, the printed kind that encourages shoppers to take out a pen and circle their most desired items.

Kroger expands DoorDash relationship amid push toward store-based fulfillment [GroceryDive] Kroger will offer grocery delivery via DoorDash from nearly 2,700 of the supermarket operator’s stores under an expanded relationship with the delivery firm.

DoorDash launches proprietary delivery robot [Chain Store Age] DoorDash is expanding its autonomous delivery efforts from partnerships with tech providers to an in-house-developed robot. The delivery platform is launching “Dot,” an autonomous robot built to travel on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks and driveways that is specifically designed for delivery.

PropTalk

Mall of the Emirates expansion: Kim Kardashian’s Skims, Primark, Ulta Beauty opening dates revealed [Gulf News] Moreover, AI-backed wayfinding solutions are being implemented throughout the complex to enhance customer experience. Moreover, an improved personalised digital touchpoint will complement the physical shopping experience as well.

Can a Store Ever Be a ‘Third Place?’ [Business of Fashion] Brands are turning stores into third places, prioritising social interaction and lingering over experiential retail. Amenities like free drinks and open seating increase dwell time — a new metric of success — and build loyalty. Even so, nailing the vibe of a real community hangout is tough.

How shopping developments are looking to win over buzzy brands in 2025 [ModernRetail] There’s fierce competition among brands to score a lease in a desirable, high-traffic shopping center. In response, some professionals in the commercial real estate world are looking to find new ways to lure buzzy brands to smaller markets or older developments.

SM Supermalls, Meta launch pioneering online-to-offline analytics program [Daily Tribune] SM Supermalls has unveiled a groundbreaking analytics initiative with Meta Philippines that links digital advertising to real-world mall visits, marking a global first in retail innovation.

Why customers say online shopping just can’t compare to the in-store experience [RetailDive] The lion’s share of customers — 9 in 10 — say despite the convenience of online shopping, the experience doesn’t compare to shopping in-store, according to a Chatmeter report published earlier this month. Chatmeter surveyed more than 1,000 customers and analyzed 500,000 online reviews of specialty retail stores.

Al-Futtaim completes SAR 2.52 billion acquisition of stake in Saudi retail giant Cenomi [Gulf News] Dubai-based Al-Futtaim has completed its landmark SAR 2.52 billion (£550 million) acquisition of a 49.95 per cent stake in Saudi Arabia’s leading retailer Cenomi Retail, finalising one of the largest foreign investments in a Saudi-listed retail company.