Meta Slashes Metaverse Budget by Up to 30%
Meta will slash up to 30% of its metaverse budget for 2026 — a dramatic retrenchment that marks a pivot away from costly virtual‑reality ambitions toward more promising AI investments.
Staff Report
Global insights on omnichannel retail and commerce from the Doing Business in Bentonville Staff Report Team—expert analysis and trends shaping Bentonville’s role in the future of business.
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Dollar General Lifts 2025 Forecast After Strong Q3
Dollar General beat Q3 expectations and raised its 2025 profit outlook as consumers seek low-cost essentials amid ongoing economic pressure.
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 3‑Year Low
U.S. jobless claims dropped to 191,000 — the lowest since 2022 — indicating labor market stability despite broader hiring slowdowns.
Small Businesses Drive Surprise U.S. Job Loss in November
The U.S. lost 32,000 private-sector jobs in November 2025, with small businesses shedding 120,000 positions amid economic uncertainty and labor market pressures.
Mass Shredded‑Cheese Recall Hits Walmart, Target, Aldi
A major food‑safety recall impacts shredded cheese sold at major U.S. retailers — consumers are urged to dispose of or return affected products after the FDA flagged possible metal fragments.
Top Leadership Development Strategies to Build Future Leaders
Explore 11 proven leadership development strategies that enhance team performance, increase retention, and prepare future leaders for success in today’s evolving business landscape.
“Code Red”: Sam Altman Orders Overhaul of ChatGPT as AI Competition Heats Up
OpenAI has declared a “code red” to prioritize major improvements to ChatGPT’s speed, reliability, and personalization, pausing other projects as competition intensifies.
Walmart’s Holiday Tech Push Drives Sales Lift
Walmart’s updated app, AI assistants, and smart in‑store tools helped boost customer spend by ~25% this holiday season — highlighting the power of digital hospitality for mass‑market retail.
AI Tools Power a Surge: Nearly $12 B in U.S. Black Friday Online Sales
AI-powered shopping tools helped drive record U.S. Black Friday online sales — nearly $12 billion — as shoppers turned to chatbots and recommendation engines for faster, smarter holiday purchasing.
Chick‑fil‑A to Build $150M Distribution Hub in Florida to Support 170‑Plus Restaurants
Chick‑fil‑A Supply is building a new $150 million distribution center in Winter Haven, Florida — a 244,000 sq ft facility set to create 180+ jobs and support around 170 restaurants across the state by 2027.
Amazon Tests 30-Minute Delivery for Essentials
Amazon is piloting 30-minute delivery for groceries and household items in Seattle and Philadelphia, signaling a new standard in ultra-fast fulfillment.
BNSF & CSX Launch Faster Coast‑to‑Coast Intermodal Lanes in Major Rail Push
BNSF and CSX unveil new intermodal lanes cutting coast‑to‑coast transit times by up to 52 hours, offering shippers faster, more flexible and sustainable freight alternatives to trucking.
Macy’s Raises Earnings, Signals Confidence in 2025 Holiday Season
Macy’s delivered a surprise Q3 profit and raised full-year earnings and sales guidance, reflecting renewed confidence as the retailer heads into the critical 2025 holiday season.
Holiday Weekend Draws Record 203 M Shoppers; Signals Strong Retail Momentum
A record 203 million Americans shopped between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — buoyed by a 9% rise in online purchases and a 3% increase in store visits — setting the foundation for what could become the first U.S. $1 trillion holiday retail season.
Mastering Digital Hospitality for Customer Engagement
Digital hospitality creates seamless, personalized experiences across platforms—boosting customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth in today’s experience-first economy.
Regenerative Agriculture: Farming for Profit and Planet
Regenerative agriculture offers a profitable path to sustainability by restoring soil health, boosting yields, and meeting rising consumer demand for eco-conscious products.