New U.S. Bill Seeks to Block Grocery Tariff Hikes Amid Cost Pressures
New legislation would require Congress to approve any tariffs on food imports, aiming to curb rising grocery prices driven by recent duty hikes.
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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SNAP Changes Could Cost Convenience Stores ~$1 B in Compliance
Proposed SNAP purchase restrictions could impose up‑to‑$1 billion in upfront compliance costs on U.S. convenience stores, signaling major operational risk across the food‑retail sector.
Kroger, Instacart Launch AI Cart Assistant and Expand Express Delivery
Kroger and Instacart launch Cart Assistant, an AI-powered grocery planning tool, alongside expanded 30-minute Express Delivery across 2,700 stores.
Grocers Accelerate Tech Investment Amid 2025 Shift
Grocery retailers are increasing technology investment in 2025—boosting analytics, automation and digital tools to meet evolving consumer expectations.
Bentonville Retail & Grocery Industry Expands as Walmart Deepens Local Investments
In November 2025, Bentonville’s retail and grocery industries grow through Walmart investment and tech innovation, despite signs of softer consumer spending.
Oil Prices Slide as Oversupply and U.S.–China Trade Tensions Weigh
Oil prices are retreating amid warnings of a 4 million‑barrel‑per‑day supply surplus and renewed U.S.–China trade tensions dampening consumption.
U.S. Government Shutdown Forces Major U.S. Airlines to Cut Flights
A U.S. government shutdown is forcing major airlines to cut up to 10 % of flights, disrupting travel plans and raising stakes for local businesses tied to logistics and tourism.
Holiday Shoppers Turn to AI for Deals, Gift‑Finding & Price Savvy
One‑third of holiday shoppers plan to use AI this season for deals, gift ideas and price comparison — pushing retailers to deliver smarter, AI‑enabled experiences.
U.S. Companies Announce Sharp Layoff Surge in October 2025
U.S. job‑cut announcements surged to their highest October level in over 20 years, with more than 1.1 million jobs cut so far in 2025, signalling mounting pressure across sectors.
U.S. Holiday Sales to Top $1 Trillion in 2025 — NRF Forecast
The NRF forecasts U.S. holiday sales will surpass $1 trillion in 2025, reflecting consumer resilience and signaling critical strategic implications for retailers.
Customer Loyalty 2025: Insights from Medallia & Ipsos Study
New research from Medallia & Ipsos shows customer loyalty in 2025 is driven by experience, feedback and emotional attachment—not just price or products.
Why Target Corporation’s Delivery & Pickup Shift Matters Locally
Target’s push into faster delivery and pickup raises the bar for local retailers and shoppers alike in today’s omnichannel‑first market.
Tesla Investors Back $878 Billion Musk Pay Plan Amid Governance Shift
Tesla shareholders weigh a record‑breaking $878 billion compensation plan for Elon Musk alongside governance and AI‑investment votes.
Black Friday 2025: GenAI, Early Deals & Omnichannel Imperatives
Black Friday 2025 will spotlight GenAI shopping, stronger consumer intent, and omnichannel execution as retailers face both opportunity and uncertainty.
Meta Opens Flagship VR & Wearables Store in Los Angeles
Meta Platforms unveils a flagship Los Angeles store to boost VR and wearable device sales, anchoring its omnichannel retail strategy.
Retail Robots Rise: Automation Gains Ground Behind the Scenes
Retailers quietly adopt automation—robots, AI, and predictive systems—to optimize operations from warehouse to storefront in the omnichannel age.