Author: Kim Souza

Kim Souza

Tyson Foods’ chicken business helping to counter beef losses

Tyson Foods’ chicken business recorded about $680 million in adjusted operating income through the first half of this year. The Springdale-based global company will need those chicken dollars to counter…

The Supply Side: Sam’s Club growth plan may include no checkout stations

It took 42 years for Sam’s Club to reach $90 billion in annual revenue, but CEO Chris Nicholas and his executive group plan to double the business in the next…

Grocery prices rose in April, egg prices up almost 50%

Grocery prices rose again in April, up 2.8% from a year ago and up 0.2% from March, according to the Consumer Price Index posted Tuesday (May 13) by the U.S….

Walmart expected to post revenue gain, weaker income in quarterly report

Walmart is expected to report a first-quarter revenue gain of around 2.5% on Thursday (May 15), but analysts caution that net income could fall 3.3% from a year ago. Walmart’s…

Retail sales rise 6.7% in April, tariff impacts noted

Consumer spending rose in April ahead of expected tariff impacts. The National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail Monitor had April sales, excluding gasoline and automobiles, up 0.72% from the prior month…

Walmart uses artificial intelligence to fast-track apparel offerings

At a time when Trump Administration tariffs threaten the apparel supply chain, Walmart announced a Trend-to-Product initiative that uses artificial intelligence tools to expedite the launch of on-trend, affordable fashion….

The Supply Side: Tariffs create big uncertainty for retailers, suppliers

Tariffs are a big concern for retailers, particularly large operations like Walmart, Target and Dollar Tree which import goods from abroad. So when the Trump Administration invited some of their…

Mother’s Day spending could total $34.1 billion

The National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics estimate total Mother’s Day spending at $34.1 billion, up 1.79% from a year ago, but 9% lower than the record $35.7…

Tyson Foods to sell four cold storage facilities for $247 million

Tyson Foods is revamping its cold storage network and process which includes selling four of its cold storage facilities to Novi, Mich.-based Lineage and creating annual cost savings. According to…

Tyson Foods net income up 48%, revenue misses the estimate

It was a mixed second quarter for Tyson Foods, which saw net income of $380 million, and adjusted earnings of 92 cents per share, up 48.38% from a year ago….

Walmart unveils program to solicit more US-made suppliers

With proposed and enacted Trump Administration tariffs – especially those targeting China – roiling the retail supply chain, Walmart execs searching for U.S. made goods recently launched a “Grow With…

The Supply Side: Walmart’s e-commerce profitability achievement took decades

Walmart has been in the e-commerce business for 25 years, but until recently the business that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic was mostly an unprofitable business subsidized by store…

Tyson Foods expected to post a 34% gain in net income

Tyson Foods may report a 34% net income boost when the company reports second quarter earnings on May 5. Market watchers predict quarterly net income of $296 million, better than…

The Supply Side: Technology keeps changing the supply chain

The complexity of global supply chains often results in areas of inefficiency, but technology is changing that, according to people with shipping and logistics experience who took part in the…

Walmart’s top six execs earned a combined $99.95 million last year, up 3.3%

Walmart’s top six executives received recent fiscal year total pay of $99.952 million, up 3.3% from the prior year. The annual salary info was part of a 164-page proxy filing…

Sales tax revenue growth almost flat in Northwest Arkansas

Consumer spending in Benton and Washington counties was lighter in February among the region’s four largest cities, with combined tax revenue totaling $8.417 million in the April report, up 0.46%….

Easter spending expected to total $23.6 billion, up 5%

The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects a 5% rise in Easter holiday spending compared with 2024. Total spending is forecast at $23.6 billion despite economic uncertainty evidenced by weaker consumer…

The Supply Side: Walmart continues to revamp convenience stores, fuel stations

Walmart has in recent years quietly invested in smaller convenience stores with fuel that are linked to supercenters and grocery formats. The retailer has tweaked the format size based on…

Northwest Arkansas Council focused on health and housing, marks 35 years

The Northwest Arkansas Council held its spring meeting in Fayetteville on Wednesday (April 16) to discuss two of the region’s biggest concerns — affordable housing and more access to specialty…

NRF reports that March retail sales rose 4.75%

Consumers spent 4.75% more on retail purchases in March compared to a year ago. Total sales excluded autos and fuel and were compiled by Affinity Solutions for the National Retail…