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.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revived a scenario projecting global oil demand growth through 2050 — a significant shift in outlook that may ripple throughout supply‑chain, logistics and omnichannel retail strategies.
In a live episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Arvind Krishna explore how AI and quantum computing are reshaping enterprise strategy.
A rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average contrasts with weakness in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite as investors balance optimism over the U.S. government shutdown ending with renewed worries about high‑flying AI valuations.
B2B marketing leaders are embracing growth in 2026—boosting budgets for programs, talent and technology while focusing on search visibility and hybrid execution models to thrive in an omnichannel world.
Generative AI is redirecting the SEO equation: as “AI Overviews” become common in search results, omnichannel brands must invest in structured data, narrative control and multi‑touchpoint presence—not just clicks.
Internal documents reviewed by Reuters show Meta may have earned up to 10 % of its revenue in 2024 from scam and banned ads, revealing major brand‑safety risks in its advertising ecosystem.
Brands that start early, match their product to the right outlet, and offer affiliate‑ready availability have the best shot at gift‑guide placement—and in today’s omnichannel world, that coverage signals demand, trust and readiness across all channels.
Parenting brands are thriving through omnichannel retail by blending empathy, convenience, and connection across digital and physical platforms.
DoorDash surged ahead as the U.S.’s fastest‑growing brand in 2025, thanks to its expansion beyond food delivery into local commerce and its strong gains among middle‑income households and older demographics.
The University of Georgia and MRII now offer area‑specific “Principles Express” course bundles to help insights professionals rapidly gain specialised market‑research skills—ideal for today’s omnichannel retail challenges.
User‑generated content is a powerful tool for omnichannel brands—building authenticity, social proof and community across all customer touchpoints.
Segmentation driven by commercial use‑cases, future‑focused markets and embedded behaviours is the strategic lever omnichannel brands need—not just a messaging tool.
With TikTok evolving into a search engine for younger shoppers, brands must adopt optimized hashtags, engaging content and consistent posts to secure visibility and drive omnichannel growth.
Invisible friction in physical stores is costing retailers millions—fixing it requires fresh eyes, smarter design, and AI-enabled human touchpoints.
As over 3,700 stores shutter nationwide, retailers and suppliers must act now to transform physical locations into omnichannel performance hubs.
Geopolitical shifts and domestic policy turbulence are adding complexity to retail operations, supply chains, and consumer behavior.