Author: Kim Souza

Kim Souza

Beef industry rebrands with multimedia campaign geared toward Millennials

A full generation has passed since the U.S. beef industry launched its “Beef. It’s What For Dinner” campaign, but the sector’s largest trade group — the National Cattlemen’s Association —…

Real estate exec says planned new Wal-Mart HQ could hit $1 billion

The reaction to the Sept. 15 announcement by Wal-Mart Stores CEO Doug McMillon that the company was going to invest in a new home office campus in Bentonville has been…

Wal-Mart supplier Giti Tire to create 1,700 new jobs at U.S. tire factory

Singapore-based Giti Tire said its first tire U.S. manufacturing operation will be in a 1.7 million square-foot facility in Richburg, S.C., and is expected to provide several 100,000 units of…

Growth in eldercare demand requires 41.3 million consumers to give unpaid services

As the nation’s population continues to age, the number of consumers having to provide care to the elderly on a daily basis reached 41.3 million in the past two years,…

NRF: Holiday spending projected as high as $682 billion, up 4%

Consumers have the ability to spend more this holiday season, but the golden question is how much more? Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist for the National Retail Federation (NRF), said the…

Arvest has largest deposit market share in the state

Fayetteville-based Arvest Bank retained the largest market share of deposits in Arkansas with $8.452 billion as of June 30, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. annual report released Tuesday….

Northwest Arkansas needs cheaper airfare, more research funds, lower childcare costs

Northwest Arkansas has long been a shining star in the Natural State, garnering national attention for its fast growing population, job growth and entrepreneurial energy. But it’s not enough to…

Wal-Mart acquires final-mile startup to compete with Amazon in New York City

Wal-Mart Stores continues to strive toward a more efficient final-mile delivery solution in its retail business, and the latest play is the purchase of New York City-based startup Parcel for…

New Simmons plant expected to benefit its other processing operations

Simmons Foods’ investment of $300 million into a modern chicken slaughter and primary processing facility has some wondering if jobs will shift from other operations in Van Buren and outside…

Tyson CEO talks earnings growth, higher revenues and continued hunt for efficiencies

Tyson Foods CEO Tom Hayes said the company’s “time of transformation” led to 450 job cuts at the corporate offices in Springdale, Chicago and Cincinnati. Insiders tell Talk Business &…

Tyson Foods reducing corporate headcount by 450, raises earnings guidance

As fiscal 2017 winds to a close for Springdale-based Tyson Foods, the meat giant is again cutting corporate jobs as part of a stated goal to have a leaner operation…

Report: Same-store sales for online grocery up 26%, ‘adoption is now accelerating’

Online grocery purchases comprise about 3.4% of total sales for supermarkets offering the service, but that average is improving to 5.2% for retailers with the service for a minimum of…

Wal-Mart expands its Parent’s Choice private brand with 100 new items

Wal-Mart Stores is set to unveil about 120 new items, and 100 of those products are part of the relaunched Parent’s Choice brand. Parent’s Choice has been around for almost…

Simmons Foods to build $300 million complex in Benton County, add 1,500 jobs (Updated)

Siloam Springs-based Simmons Foods will build in western Benton County between Decatur and Gentry a $300 million poultry processing complex that is expected to add 1,500 jobs. Company officials said…

Tyson Foods fined $2 million by EPA over water pollution in Missouri

Springdale-based Tyson Foods has resolved a three-year legal dispute with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over water pollution and dumping of wastewater in southwestern Missouri. Tyson Foods will pay a…

Automation to eliminate 700 cash-handling jobs in Sam’s Club stores

Automation of money-counting and some accounting roles in Sam’s Club stores will result in about 700 job cuts. The retailer said employees have opportunities to transfer positions but some of…

Restaurant and retail lines continue to blur, driven by consumer demand

Grocery retailers are merging into the meal business because of consumers’ desire for convenience. While more ready-to-eat foods are now offered at most U.S. grocery chains, Amazon and Albertsons have…

The Supply Side: Drop shipping an ‘interesting option’ for online retailers

Wal-Mart Stores and many of its online competitors are requiring suppliers to shoulder more of the outbound supply chain risks with drop shipping direct to customer. Forrester Research recently noted…

Sales tax rally continues through September across Northwest Arkansas

Sales tax revenue in Northwest Arkansas’ four largest cities continues to set records. Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale and Rogers reported a combined $49.674 million in sales tax revenue through September of…

Wal-Mart boss says Jet.com deal ‘removing friction’ for shoppers, more to come

It’s been a full year since Wal-Mart Stores closed on its monumental $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.com. While there were some who initially questioned the deal’s value, Wal-Mart Stores CEO…