Author: Kim Souza

Kim Souza

Insiders reflect on Walmart turning 60

When 44-year-old Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in July 1962, the economy was recovering from a recession. Unemployment was high, as were taxes. But that did not stop the…

The Supply Side: Field Agent launches Plum marketplace for supplier services

Field Agent, a company based in Fayetteville, was founded 12 years ago on the principle of solving problems for retail suppliers. Today, the company continues to evolve by launching a…

Walmart apparel exec Deanah Baker to retire

Deanah Baker, senior vice president of apparel for adults, kids, baby and shoes, is retiring from Walmart after 32 years with the retail giant. Her last day will be July…

Grocery prices rose 15.1% in June from a year ago

Consumers are seeing record grocery prices with the latest inflationary report indicating prices are up 15.1% from a year ago and up 7.4% since the start of 2022, according to…

Mercy to offer new screening blood test to detect cancer

A new blood test by Menlo Park, Calif.-based GRAIL is being offered at Mercy Health Systems. The Galleri test can detect early signs of more than 50 cancers, including aggressive…

Demand for U.S. beef exports remains high, pork exports see ‘momentum’

U.S. beef exports set volume and value records in May, topping $1 billion for the fourth time this year, according to info from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the…

The Supply Side: Walmart ups private brand investment for home, fashion

Shoppers have never been more open to trying private brands for consumer staples after the supply chain disruption that forced changes in shopping behavior amid the pandemic. Market research firm…

Some Walmart suppliers hit with new charges related to freight handling

The rising cost of fuel and transportation has pushed Walmart to begin charging suppliers a pickup fee for freight the retail giant handles on their behalf. The suppliers are known…

Tyson Foods to acquire stake in Saudi meat business

Tyson Foods will expand its global footprint with an investment in a Saudi Arabia-based meat company. Tyson will acquire a 15% equity stake in Tanmiah subsidiary Agriculture Development Company (ADC)…

The Supply Side: Walmart says it won’t lose grocery market share to dollar stores in recessionary period

Discount retailers often win and retain share in recessions combined with rising prices. Walmart is the largest U.S. grocer and is known for low prices no matter the economic conditions….

Walmart picks beignet mix, recycled golf balls and many other new products

More than 1,100 hopeful suppliers took part in Walmart’s 9th Annual Open Call pitch held in Bentonville on Wednesday (June 29). Walmart and Sam’s Club held almost 1,200 meetings Wednesday…

Walmart sued by Federal Trade Commission

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Tuesday (June 28) that it sued Walmart Inc., alleging the retailer allowed scam artists to access its money transfer services, resulting in fraud…

Walmart Open Call underway in Bentonville; flour mix, barbecue sauce get early deals

More than 1,100 entrepreneurs, potential and current suppliers with products to pitch are in Bentonville this week for Walmart’s 9th annual Open Call. They hope to land a deal with…

Independence Day celebrations could cost up to 40% more

With the Fourth of July holiday falling on Monday this year, more consumers say they plan to celebrate during the weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. Many will stay…

The Supply Side: Retailers grapple with widespread inventory glut in recent quarter

It’s been a feast or famine for many retailers in the past two years amid supply chain challenges resulting from the COVID-19-induced global shutdown in 2020 to the Russian invasion…

Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue rose 8.96% in June report

The cumulative sales tax revenue reported by Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale totaled $8.691 million, up 8.96% in the June report. In the first six months of 2022 the revenue…

Numerator data shows Walmart+ Weekend better than Amazon Prime Day

Preliminary data from Numerator indicates the average Walmart+ Weekend spend per order was $69.75, which was slightly more than the traditional Walmart.com order of $64.99 and more than the Amazon…

Walmart to open two health clinics in Rogers, Fort Smith

Walmart will open two health clinics in Rogers and Fort Smith later this summer. The two new clinics are modeled after the Walmart Health clinic in Store No. 4108 on…

The Supply Side: Consumer spending shifts driven by inflation, end of stimulus funds

According to a survey by management and analytics firm Tango, with consumer spending expected to rebound after two years of pandemic disruptions, inflation threatens to inhibit the critical consumer impact…

Retail sales cool in May amid rising prices

The U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday (June 15) that consumers spent $672.9 billion on food and retail in May, down 0.3% from the prior month. Sales were up 8.1% from…