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.
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 is piloting 30-minute delivery for groceries and household items in Seattle and Philadelphia, signaling a new standard in ultra-fast fulfillment.
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 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.
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.
Digital hospitality creates seamless, personalized experiences across platforms—boosting customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth in today’s experience-first economy.
Regenerative agriculture offers a profitable path to sustainability by restoring soil health, boosting yields, and meeting rising consumer demand for eco-conscious products.
Startups like PredictSpring, NewStore, and Fluent Commerce are redefining omnichannel retail by delivering innovative, tech-driven solutions that help brands integrate digital and physical shopping experiences seamlessly.
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) turns existing website traffic into profit by improving user experience, reducing friction, and systematically converting more visitors into customers.
Costco has filed suit to safeguard its right to tariff refunds, challenging sweeping IEEPA‑based trade duties and underscoring risks to global supply‑chain sourcing and retail pricing.
With supply‑chain emissions often representing the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint, 2026 is shaping up as a turning point — forcing brands to build supplier‑level emission transparency into procurement, sourcing, and climate strategy.
Black Friday 2025 posted a 4.1% rise in overall U.S. retail sales — led by a 10.4% surge in e‑commerce — highlighting consumers’ growing preference for digital shopping even as holiday budgets tighten.
The shutdown and layoffs at 10 Roads Express are disrupting mail and parcel delivery and exposing cracks in the U.S. logistics network, with ripple effects for retailers dependent on reliable fulfilment.
Standard Bots’ CEO warned Congress that without a funded national robotics strategy, U.S. manufacturers risk being outpaced by subsidized foreign competitors, particularly from China.
Fuel surcharge hikes by UPS and FedEx in 2025 are driving ground and air shipping costs to record highs — forcing retailers to rethink logistics, packaging, and fulfillment strategies.
Cyber Monday 2025 set a new U.S. e‑commerce record with up to $14.2 billion in online spending, highlighting how digital retail continues to redefine holiday shopping.