Retail

Consumer spending up almost 10% with online sales events

Consumer spending was up 9.9% on the first day — July 8 — of Amazon Prime Days compared with the first day in 2024, according to Adobe. U.S. online sales…

New restaurant, Fork, to locate near state capitol

Veteran restaurateur Ira Mittelman has unveiled a new farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Little Rock called Fork. Fork will take over the newly renovated space at 1900 W. Third Street in…

The Supply Side: Walmart’s fashion segment now a $29.5 billion business

While Walmart is the socks, T-shirts and underwear retailer for tens of millions of consumers, it has become much more in recent years, according to Deanah Baker, who spent 32…

Reshoring garment industry won’t be quick, easy task

Reshoring the garment industry won’t happen overnight, but area industry professionals expect its revitalization to start with the support of local sewists, workforce development and a consumer behavior shift. According…

Former Walmart exec to lead the stand-alone Family Dollar business

Duncan MacNaughton, a former head of merchandising at Walmart, is the chairman and CEO of Family Dollar following a sale of the brand by Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree…

Airship Coffee opens 5th café in Bentonville

Bentonville-based Airship Coffee recently opened its fifth café in Bentonville at the new Walmart headquarters, according to a news release. The Airship on The Porch at 810 Customer Drive is…

Digs restaurant to replace Mad Ox bar at the Bakery District

Destiney Cameron, a co-owner and manager of AJ’s Oyster House in downtown Fort Smith, plans to soon open Digs, a new restaurant just a few blocks away in the Bakery…

The Supply Side: Catfish Hole relish now on shelves at select Walmart stores

Britain White, CEO of Catfish Hole, has some of the restaurant-branded food on Walmart shelves. He said the process with Walmart was smooth, and he hopes to have more products…

Report: Consumers want more than low prices, are ‘more discerning’

Inflation has caused consumers to be more price focused, but a new report from Deloitte found that consumers are moving toward brands that offer “more value for the price.” The…

The Compass Report: Growth continues, but ‘cautious consumer’ trends seen

The four Arkansas metro areas measured by The Compass Report continue to show economic growth, with moderation seen in employment and consumer spending during the first quarter of 2025. In…

Sam’s Club growth strategy includes pizza delivery and sushi

Sam’s Club growth goals are aggressive and follow 50% revenue growth of the past five years. Sam’s Club execs have said they want to double sales and membership in the…

Arkansas GDP up 0.8% in the first quarter, ranks 5th in the nation

Arkansas’ real gross domestic product (GDP) was 0.8% in the first quarter, ranking the state fifth for growth among the 50 states. Personal income grew at an annual rate of…

Fort Smith officials surprised by drop in May sales tax revenue

Fort Smith city administration is a bit worried and confused by lower than anticipated sales tax revenue in the May report, and plans to seek more information from state officials…

First-quarter 2025 GDP down more than initial estimate

First quarter U.S. economic growth declined more than initially estimated, with an increase in imports and a decline in government spending pushing activity lower, according to Thursday’s (June 26) report…

Economist: Trucking sector turnaround not likely in 2025

The freight and logistics industry has been in a recession more than two years with excess capacity and weaker demand driving rates lower. The negative factors aren’t likely to soon…

Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalists unveiled

The 2025 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalists were announced on Thursday (June 26). Launched in 2016 by the Division of Arkansas Heritage, the program celebrates Arkansas’ unique culinary heritage…

Walmart to test dark stores in Bentonville, Dallas metro

So-called dark stores have been around for decades, and Walmart tested a similar format in its Bentonville online grocery pickup center between 2014 and 2023, before it closed. Walmart is…

Central States releases metal panel siding product

Central States Inc., a Tontitown-based metal building products manufacturer, recently launched metal siding product Board and Batten. Board and Batten features a Galvalume base coated with a variety of finishes,…

Court lifts injunction on law prohibiting hemp product sales

An Arkansas law passed in 2023 that prohibits the sale of many hemp products will be allowed to take effect after the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction…

NWA sales tax revenue up 4.45% in June report

Sales tax revenue the four largest Northwest Arkansas cities rose 4.45% through the first six reporting months of 2025. The cumulative revenue in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale from the…

Tyson board chairman’s new contract includes $40 million cash incentive

Officials from Fort Smith and Poland sign Friendship Pact, mark arrival of F-35 jets

Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge slated for its 16th year

Gov. Sanders: Student proficiency scores up since LEARNS