Retail

Independence Day cookouts will cost 5% more this year

Friends and families who gather on the Fourth of July for summer cookouts and fireworks will see higher prices than a year ago thanks in large part to higher beef…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue down through May

Fort Smith sales tax collections were down again in May with revenues staying below budget for the year. The May sales tax report shows the city’s share of the 1%…

Walmart opens application period for Open Call 2024

Walmart is seeking more U.S.-made products at its 11th annual Open Call, which will be held Sept. 25-26 in Bentonville. The application period for entrepreneurs and product manufacturers is now…

Sales tax revenue dips 5.3% in Northwest Arkansas

Sales tax revenue cumulatively reported by Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale totaled $8.852 million in the June report, down 5.31% from a year ago. Revenue for the four cities in…

Walmart is testing a new system to better manage fruit supply

Walmart is partnering with Israel-based Agristask, a crop supply chain company, to test the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in sourcing fresh fruit such as blackberries and cherries. Agritask’s…

Walmart fined $1.64 million for unlawful pricing practices in New Jersey

Walmart has settled claims of unlawful unit pricing in 64 New Jersey stores. Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the $1.64 million settlement on Tuesday. The settlements include a $1.61 million…

Field Agent CEO and cofounder steps down, will remain as chairman

Rick West, CEO and cofounder of Field Agent, announced Tuesday (June 18) he is stepping down from his day-to-day role, but will continue as board chairman and consultant for the…

Car-Mart’s Q4 earnings plummet nearly 80% amid declining sales and rising prices

Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart Inc. posted declines in revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 as vehicle sales declined and sales prices rose. Before the markets opened Tuesday…

Field Agent acquires technology firm Shelfgram

Fayetteville-based Field Agent has acquired Toronto-based Shelfgram for an undisclosed sum. The deal was financed via a partnership with Five Elms Capital and included people and assets who will remain…

Park Plaza announces partnership with Museum of Discovery

Park Plaza and the Museum of Discovery announced Monday (June 17) a partnership to provide free educational programming for children and families. The partnership will allow Park Plaza and the…

The Supply Side: Walmart expands Luminate sales data platform

Last October, Walmart announced the phase-out of its Decision Support System (DSS) app in the Retail Link portal it shares with suppliers. The portal allows suppliers to track their online…

Porsche dealership to open in Little Rock

indiGO Auto Group, a national premier luxury automotive retailer with 27 dealerships throughout California, Texas, and the Midwest, will open Porsche Little Rock on Monday, June 17th. The all-new facility…

Walmart CFO discusses premium memberships, price reductions

Walmart Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said Wednesday (June 12) that about 20% of operating income generated in the the most recent fiscal quarter came from Walmart+ and Walmart…

The Supply Side: Walmart rolls out new private brand Bettergoods

Walmart has a long history with private brands, offering over 29,000 products in 20 categories since 1983. Among these is the Ol’ Roy dog food brand, named after Sam Walton’s…

Online grocery sales totaled $6.8 billion in May, flat year over year

A new report indicates consumers shopped less often for online groceries and consumables in May, with orders totaling $6.8 billion, down 0.4% from a year ago, despite looming inflation in…

Walmart U.S. boss says ‘we think we have a good strategy’

Walmart U.S. comprises 68% of the retail giant’s total revenue and 82% of operating income so its financial health is closely watched. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said he and…

Analysts: Car-Mart to see mixed results in Q4

Analysts said Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart Inc. is expected to post an earnings increase and a revenue decline in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 amid higher vehicle sales prices and…

Retail goods’ cargo shipments expected to rise 15%

The first half of 2024 cargo shipments for retail are expected to total 12.1 million containers, up 15% and reversing the 12.8% decline reported a year ago, according to the…

NRF: U.S. retail sales up 3% in May

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported Monday that consumer spending on goods rebounded in May from April’s flat results. Retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline were up 1.35% from April…

Walmart boss says company ‘can’t get comfortable’ with recent success

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon challenged the 2.2 million employees around the world to go for the gold like Simone Biles, win championships like NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, or NBA star…

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: ArcBest goes electric, Baptist Health nurse receives national award

Consumers expected to spend $27.9 billion for Father’s Day

Kevin Costner advocates for national parks during Congressional hearing in Hot Springs

The 9th annual Juneteenth celebration slated for Jonesboro