Amazon’s Alexa+ Will Supercharge Your Smart Assistant
Amazon’s Alexa+ upgrade uses generative AI and memory to make Alexa more personalized, proactive, and conversational, putting it in stronger competition with advanced AI assistants like ChatGPT.
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.
5102 W Pauline Whitaker Pkwy Unit 120, Rogers, AR 72758
What the Universal Commerce Protocol Means for Small Businesses
Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) is an open standard that simplifies AI‑driven commerce, giving small businesses easier integration, broader visibility, and better customer experiences across digital channels.
Succession Planning Key to Small Business Survival in NWA
Thousands of NWA small businesses face closure without succession plans—buyer-operators like Doug and Anne offer a roadmap to preserve legacies and local economies.
Meta Cuts Metaverse Jobs Amid Strategic Shift to AI
Meta begins significant layoffs in its metaverse‑focused Reality Labs unit as it pivots strategic investment toward AI and wearable tech.
Driving Business Impact with Creative and AI: Key Takeaways from Walmart Connect and AdFury.ai
In a new Walmart Connect webinar, leaders from AdFury.ai and Walmart share how AI and creative best practices drive performance across retail media campaigns.
AI Assistants Are the New Checkout Lane in 2026
Zero‑click buying, powered by agentic AI, is set to redefine e‑commerce in 2026 as consumers increasingly complete purchases through AI assistants without traditional clicks.
Creativity, Nostalgia & Self‑Care Led E‑Commerce Trends in 2025 Holiday Season
Shopify’s 2025 holiday data shows DIY kits, nostalgic toys like yo‑yos, and self‑care gifts led e‑commerce trends as shoppers sought creative, personalized holiday presents.
Retail Brands Turn to Influencers to Cut Through Digital Overload
Retail brands are leaning on influencer and community‑centered marketing to break through consumer digital overload and build authentic engagement.
Macy’s to Shut Tulsa/Owasso Fulfillment Center in Spring 2026
Macy’s will close its Tulsa/Owasso fulfillment center in spring 2026 as part of supply chain modernization and cost‑saving initiatives under its “Bold New Chapter” strategy.
U.S. Productivity Grows at Fastest Pace in Two Years, BLS Reports
U.S. labor productivity surged 4.9% in Q3 2025, marking the fastest growth in two years and signaling improved efficiency that could ease wage pressures and inflation.
Walmart, Wing to Scale Drone Delivery to 270 Stores Nationwide
Walmart and Wing plan to expand drone delivery to 150 more stores in 2026, aiming for over 270 locations by 2027.
2026 Hiring Outlook Improves, But Skills & AI Pose Key Challenges
Employers enter 2026 with stronger hiring intentions, but skills gaps and AI challenges continue to shape workforce strategies.
Trump Administration Clarifies Tariff Refund Scope Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling
The DOJ’s filing clarifies that all tariffs imposed under IEEPA could be eligible for refund if the Supreme Court rules them unlawful.
Aldi to Open 180+ New Stores Across 31 States in 2026
Aldi will open over 180 stores in 2026 across 31 states, targeting 3,200 total U.S. locations by 2028.
Aldi’s 2026 Expansion Could Reshape Grocery Competition Nationwide
Aldi’s plan to open more than 180 new U.S. stores in 2026 marks a major expansion strategy aimed at boosting accessibility, challenging rivals, and meeting value‑focused consumer demand.
Retail Real Estate in 2026: Cautious Expansion, Experiential Growth & Strategic Rebalancing
Retail real estate in 2026 is marked by cautious expansion, experiential formats, and strategic rebalancing as retailers adapt physical spaces to evolving consumer demand.