Doing Business in Bentonville — Top Stories
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Confronting Economic Strain, Digital Disruption, and Structural Stress in 2025
Retailers in 2025 are battling inflation, digital disruption, labor pressures, and structural decline, driving urgent shifts toward unified commerce and strategic reinvention.
Save the Date: Retail Innovation Week Coming to Bentonville in September
Collaboration highlights area's role in retail
Introducing: Scott's Thoughts
Experience is the New Anchor for Physical Retail
Retail is evolving into an experience economy. From champagne bars to digital concierges, Printemps and other brands show why physical stores must inspire, engage, and build community. This episode reveals how experiential retail is shaping the future of shopping.
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Editors' Picks
Is the E-Commerce Revolution Over? Analysts Dispute Future Growth
Predictions for ecomm, brick and mortar vary
Experience is the New Anchor for Physical Retail
Retail is evolving into an experience economy. From champagne bars to digital concierges, Printemps and other brands show why physical stores must inspire, engage, and build community. This episode reveals how experiential retail is shaping the future of shopping.
Ep. 111 - Inside Wholesale Clubs: The Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s Playbook
Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's thrive by blending low prices, quality, membership revenue, and treasure hunt merchandising. Industry expert Michael Clayman shares how each brand stands out and what suppliers need to know to succeed in the wholesale club channel.
Retail's Great Reckoning: Why Stores are Closing Faster than Ever
With 15,000 US store closures expected in 2025, retail is at a crossroads. This episode explores why outdated models fail, how forward-thinking brands are reinventing stores, and what it takes to thrive in the new retail reality. Listen now for key insights.
Ep. 110 - How P&G Revolutionized Retail with Walmart
Discover how Walmart and P&G redefined retail through “collaborative disruption.” Tom Muccio shares lessons on trust, teamwork, and innovation that transformed supply chains and customer strategy. Tune in for powerful insights from two industry giants.
Ep. 111 - Inside Wholesale Clubs: The Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s Playbook
Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's thrive by blending low prices, quality, membership revenue, and treasure hunt merchandising. Industry expert Michael Clayman shares how each brand stands out and what suppliers need to know to succeed in the wholesale club channel.
Ep. 110 - How P&G Revolutionized Retail with Walmart
Discover how Walmart and P&G redefined retail through “collaborative disruption.” Tom Muccio shares lessons on trust, teamwork, and innovation that transformed supply chains and customer strategy. Tune in for powerful insights from two industry giants.
Ep. 109 - Fashion Forward: Walmart's Apparel Evolution
Walmart’s $30B fashion transformation is no accident. Deanah Baker shares how bold moves like a “SKU diet,” RFID tech, and NY design teams reshaped the retail giant’s apparel game. Can Walmart win over fashion shoppers? Tune in for insider insights.
Ep. 108 - Inventory Management in the Omnichannel Age
Revolutionizing retail operations through AI-powered inventory management
How Social Listening Is Reshaping Retail Merchandising
From viral TikTok products to real-time review feedback loops, discover how brands and retailers are leveraging social listening tools to refine assortments, improve forecasting, and rapidly respond to demand.
How Major Retailers Are Harnessing AI to Drive Growth
From Walmart’s new “super agents” and Amazon’s AI workforce evolution to Kroger’s shrink reduction, major retailers are embedding artificial intelligence deeply into operations, workforce design, and customer experiences to sharpen omnichannel advantage.
Retail Media Is Redefining Shelf Space Strategy
Retailers are turning shelf space into premium ad inventory as retail media networks expand into physical stores.
From Zero to Insight: How AI Is Redefining the First 90 Days for Marketers
Discover how CMO Erica Jolly Brookes uses AI to transform onboarding, accelerate insight, and drive revenue-focused marketing strategies in today’s fast-paced landscape.
Smaller Grocery Trips Rise as Fresh and Ethnic Formats Expand
Consumers are making more frequent, smaller grocery trips—fueling the growth of ethnic markets and fresh-format stores across the U.S.
Walmart’s “Who Knew?” Campaign: Rethinking the Brand Through Discovery and Culture
Walmart’s “Who Knew?” campaign, featuring Walton Goggins, blends tech reinvention, cultural storytelling, and omnichannel touchpoints to redefine the brand for digital-first generations.
Flexible Retail Spaces Keep Physical Stores Relevant in a Digital Age
Modular, flexible retail spaces are redefining physical stores as agile brand stages, fostering community connections and enhancing digital strategies.
The “Made in USA” Marketing Strategy: A Comprehensive Overview
U.S.-based brands often rely on global supply chains for essential components
Sophelle Targets Omnichannel Growth with Smart Retail Tech Strategies
Sophelle is helping retailers align innovation with business goals through smart retail technology strategies, omnichannel integration, and ongoing industry education.
Walmart Expands Technician Training, Pilots AI Interview Coach
Walmart expands its Associate-to-Technician training program and pilots an AI-powered Interview Coach, highlighting its commitment to retail workforce development and adoption of cutting-edge hiring technology.
Ep. 106 - Download the Minds of Operators: The AI Solution for Generational Knowledge Transfer
New operators receive step-by-step guidance through augmented reality
BNPL in Grocery Retail: From Convenience to Necessity
A Financing Trend Becomes a Grocery Staple
The “Made in USA” Marketing Strategy: A Comprehensive Overview
U.S.-based brands often rely on global supply chains for essential components
Walmart International: More Than Just Revenue Streams
International operations serve as living laboratories
Beer at a Crossroads: How Retailers Are Adapting
Broader alcohol market also in flux
End of the Penny Could Signal Demise of .99 Pricing Strategy
Retailers brace for 2026 shift
Retailers Rush Imports Amid 90-Day U.S.–China Tariff Break
The U.S.–China 90-day tariff reduction from 145% to 30% spurred a strategic import push among retailers like Walmart ahead of summer shopping season.
Walmart Pushes Drone Logistics with 100-Store Expansion
Walmart partners with Alphabet’s Wing to launch drone delivery across 100+ U.S. stores, offering 30-minute drop-offs and reshaping last-mile logistics.
Walmart Renews Push into Convenience Store Format
Retail giant pushes expansion of sites, many formerly operated by agreement with Murphy Oil
Authentic Brands Buys Dockers, Continues Retail Acquisition Spree
Authentic's licensing approach: Own the brand, not the store
InMoment: Elevating Omnichannel Retail Through AI-Driven Customer Insights
InMoment’s AI-driven CX platform helps retailers unify shopper insights across digital, physical, and social channels to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences.
Sophelle Targets Omnichannel Growth with Smart Retail Tech Strategies
Sophelle is helping retailers align innovation with business goals through smart retail technology strategies, omnichannel integration, and ongoing industry education.
Why Supply Chain Diversification Is Now Essential
Supply chains are strengthening resilience through supplier diversification, advanced scenario planning, and tools that enhance global transparency and agility.
Balancing Automation and Employee Trust Amid Labor Shortages
As labor shortages persist, supply chains turn to automation not just for efficiency, but to retain employees and build resilience through trust-focused strategies.
InMoment: Elevating Omnichannel Retail Through AI-Driven Customer Insights
InMoment’s AI-driven CX platform helps retailers unify shopper insights across digital, physical, and social channels to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences.
Experience is the New Anchor for Physical Retail
Retail is evolving into an experience economy. From champagne bars to digital concierges, Printemps and other brands show why physical stores must inspire, engage, and build community. This episode reveals how experiential retail is shaping the future of shopping.
Online Grocery Platforms Redefine Consumer Shopping Habits
Online grocery platforms are transforming consumer behavior with speed, convenience, and personalization, fueling rapid U.S. market growth and reshaping omnichannel retail strategies.
Winning Frugal Shoppers Without Deep Discounts
Grocers are using bundles, BNPL, and personalized discounts to attract value-focused shoppers without undercutting their brand.
Confronting Economic Strain, Digital Disruption, and Structural Stress in 2025
Retailers in 2025 are battling inflation, digital disruption, labor pressures, and structural decline, driving urgent shifts toward unified commerce and strategic reinvention.
Experience is the New Anchor for Physical Retail
Retail is evolving into an experience economy. From champagne bars to digital concierges, Printemps and other brands show why physical stores must inspire, engage, and build community. This episode reveals how experiential retail is shaping the future of shopping.
Winning Frugal Shoppers Without Deep Discounts
Grocers are using bundles, BNPL, and personalized discounts to attract value-focused shoppers without undercutting their brand.
Smaller Grocery Trips Rise as Fresh and Ethnic Formats Expand
Consumers are making more frequent, smaller grocery trips—fueling the growth of ethnic markets and fresh-format stores across the U.S.
Amazon: Books Remain a Market Despite Layoffs
Ecomm giant affirms commitment to original business vertical
Michaels Eyes Market Expansion with Acquisition of Joann Brands, IP
Retailers positioning as primary destination for former Joann customers
Chapter 22: The Second Time Isn’t the Charm for Struggling Retailers
Failed turnarounds and repeating the Chapter 11 bankruptcy route
Sam Walton’s Saturday Morning Meetings: Lessons for Today
Walton's plan blended speed, visibility, shared purpose
Confronting Economic Strain, Digital Disruption, and Structural Stress in 2025
Retailers in 2025 are battling inflation, digital disruption, labor pressures, and structural decline, driving urgent shifts toward unified commerce and strategic reinvention.
Online Grocery Platforms Redefine Consumer Shopping Habits
Online grocery platforms are transforming consumer behavior with speed, convenience, and personalization, fueling rapid U.S. market growth and reshaping omnichannel retail strategies.
Future-Proofing Grocery Stores with Smarter Infrastructure
Grocery retailers are future-proofing operations with energy-efficient systems, smart refrigeration, and adaptable store tech to stay ahead of cost, climate, and customer demands.
Smaller Grocery Trips Rise as Fresh and Ethnic Formats Expand
Consumers are making more frequent, smaller grocery trips—fueling the growth of ethnic markets and fresh-format stores across the U.S.
Future-Proofing Grocery Stores with Smarter Infrastructure
Grocery retailers are future-proofing operations with energy-efficient systems, smart refrigeration, and adaptable store tech to stay ahead of cost, climate, and customer demands.
Local Flavor on the Shelf: How Regional Sourcing Is Transforming Grocery Retail
Grocery retailers are tapping into regional sourcing to boost sustainability, shopper trust, and community engagement.
Private Label Power and Fresh Focus Reshape Grocery Strategy
Fresh produce satisfaction and private-label innovation are defining competitive grocery strategy as retailers invest in premium quality, sustainability, and customer trust.
Confronting Economic Strain, Digital Disruption, and Structural Stress in 2025
Retailers in 2025 are battling inflation, digital disruption, labor pressures, and structural decline, driving urgent shifts toward unified commerce and strategic reinvention.
InMoment: Elevating Omnichannel Retail Through AI-Driven Customer Insights
InMoment’s AI-driven CX platform helps retailers unify shopper insights across digital, physical, and social channels to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences.
Online Grocery Platforms Redefine Consumer Shopping Habits
Online grocery platforms are transforming consumer behavior with speed, convenience, and personalization, fueling rapid U.S. market growth and reshaping omnichannel retail strategies.
Future-Proofing Grocery Stores with Smarter Infrastructure
Grocery retailers are future-proofing operations with energy-efficient systems, smart refrigeration, and adaptable store tech to stay ahead of cost, climate, and customer demands.