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.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced a first-of-its-kind ban on hidden or retractable car door handles for all new vehicles starting January 1, 2027, citing safety concerns and potentially shaping global automotive design trends.
Nintendo reaffirms its target to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles by fiscal 2026 amid strong earnings and solid sales momentum.
Arkansas entrepreneurs gain structured pathways to scale consumer products into major retail channels through the Ozark Retail Accelerator.
AI-only social media platforms like Moltbook enable autonomous agents to interact, share information, and coordinate digitally, raising new opportunities and security questions for the future of AI ecosystems.
As omnichannel fulfillment becomes essential in 2026, retailers must unify inventory, operations, and data to close the execution gap and deliver seamless customer experiences.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping fashion retail through fluid, digital-native shopping behaviors and high expectations for personalized, immersive experiences powered by AI and ecosystem design. Brands must evolve quickly to stay relevant by 2030.
Walmart+ sustained strong membership growth in January 2026, reaching 28.4 million subscribers and highlighting the program’s strategic value in driving customer loyalty and recurring.
Instacart's expanded partnership with Allegiance Retail Services empowers over 125 independent supermarkets with unified e-commerce, in-store AI technology, and loyalty integrations to create a seamless omnichannel grocery shopping experience.
Canadian retail in early 2026 is marked by strategic resizing and expansion, shaped by AI adoption and evolving consumer behavior, especially from Gen Z.
PepsiCo is cutting prices on select snack brands as affordability pressures reshape consumer behavior and force CPG companies to prioritize volume growth over pricing power.
Walmart achieved a historic $1 trillion market capitalization amid strong e-commerce growth, technology investments, and omnichannel retail strategy, marking a milestone for traditional retailers.
Digital in-store media is turning grocery aisles into one of retail’s most precise, measurable advertising channels by combining smart screens, contextual placement, and privacy-safe sales measurement.
The 2026 Top Retail Expert Community by RETHINK Retail celebrates influential leaders who are driving innovation and transformation in retail.
Retailers face a critical juncture in 2026 as AI investments surge and omnichannel integration struggles. Success hinges on operational discipline, agentic AI deployment, and overcoming technical debt in a $30 trillion market where over 80% of sales remain in physical stores.
Market Logic and Zappi have launched a strategic technology partnership leveraging agentic AI to accelerate product innovation cycles, combining automated insight synthesis with real-world consumer feedback for faster, smarter decision-making.
A partial U.S. government shutdown is placing key cybersecurity measures on hold, creating uncertainty for businesses as digital threats continue to rise.