Technology

Explore how emerging technologies—from AI and big data to fintech and smart retail tools—are redefining global commerce. Doing Business in Bentonville delivers expert insights into innovations like electronic shelf labels, conversational AI, 3D printing, and dynamic personalization that are reshaping how retailers connect with consumers, optimize operations, and stay competitive in a digital-first economy.

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Legacy Business Models Break: Make Way for 2026’s Competitive Frontier

Legacy business models are breaking in 2026 as AI‑enabled agents and intelligence‑driven enterprise strategies reassign economic opportunity across markets.

, and Staff Report

January 12, 2026

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Technology

Retail Accelerators: The Hidden Engine Behind Omnichannel Growth

Retail accelerators are transforming how brands scale by focusing on execution, not just innovation.

, and Staff Report

January 12, 2026

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Walmart & Google Power a New Frontier in AI‑Driven Shopping

Walmart and Google redefine retail by embedding Walmart’s product universe directly into the AI‑driven Gemini experience, ushering in a new era of conversational commerce.

, and Staff Report

January 12, 2026

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Investors

JPMorgan Chase Replaces Proxy Advisors With AI‑Powered Voting Platform

JPMorgan Chase will use a new AI tool, Proxy IQ, to replace external proxy advisory firms for U.S. shareholder voting decisions, marking a first for major asset managers.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Leadership

Returns as a Revenue Engine: Turning Reverse Logistics Into Margin Recovery

Retailers are transforming returns management from a cost center into a margin recovery engine through structured reverse logistics and value‑preserving pathways.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Technology

Walmart to Launch Better Care Services Digital Health Platform

Walmart rolls out Better Care Services, a digital health hub connecting customers with telehealth providers and offering a limited‑time $15 discount.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Investors

The Retail CEO Exodus Continues: A Leadership Crisis in an Era of Uncertainty

CEO exits in retail surged 116% in 2025 as economic stress, AI disruption, and post-pandemic burnout reshape leadership across the industry.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Leadership

The Retail CEO Exodus Continues Amid Fierce Industry Pressures

A growing wave of CEO exits in the retail sector—up 116% year-over-year—is reshaping leadership amid economic pressures and the rise of AI.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Investors

GM to Lose Another $6 Billion as It Backs Away From EVs

General Motors will take an additional $6 billion charge as it retreats from EV production, citing canceled supplier contracts and shifting U.S. policies.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Technology

4 Immediate Priorities for Digital Shelf Excellence in 2026

Retailers and brands must prioritize digital shelf audits, AI tools, and PDP optimization to win in today’s omnichannel marketplace.

, and Staff Report

January 9, 2026

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Marketing

Amazon ‘Buy for Me’ AI Faces Vendor Backlash Over Unauthorized Sales

Independent vendors say Amazon’s AI “Buy for Me” shopping tool lists and sells products without consent, leading to stock errors and reputational risk.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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Investors

Cox Automotive Predicts Slower U.S. Car Sales in 2026

Cox Automotive forecasts a 2.4% dip in U.S. new vehicle sales in 2026, signaling a cooler but still steady auto market.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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Supply Chain

Transpacific Ocean Freight Rates Surge as 2026 Begins

Transpacific ocean freight rates jumped early in 2026 as Lunar New Year demand and carrier rate increases lift prices, even amid broader market volatility in global shipping.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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Technology

FedEx Easy Returns Streamlines Reverse Logistics for E‑Commerce

FedEx Easy Returns launches box‑free, label‑free returns at 3,000 locations, helping retailers cut costs and improve post‑purchase experiences through consolidated reverse logistics.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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Agentic Commerce

Holiday 2025: AI Tools Boost Sales, Tariffs Impact Prices

Generative AI fueled smarter shopping while tariffs drove price caution in a 2025 holiday retail season marked by innovation, inflation, and early buying trends.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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Agentic Commerce

Holiday 2025: How AI, Tariffs & Consumer Behavior Defined Retail

From AI‑driven discovery to tariff‑induced price sensitivity, the 2025 holiday retail season revealed how technology and economic headwinds reshaped consumer behavior and retail strategies.

, and Staff Report

January 8, 2026

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