Retail

EV registrations in Arkansas jump 69% from 2023

The number of fully electric vehicles in Arkansas is accelerating. Through the first half of 2024, the number of EVs registered in the state is up 69.4% from last year….

Tyson Foods rolls out ‘Razorback Nuggets’ ahead of football season

Research and development workers at Springdale-based Tyson Foods wanted to develop a Razorback-inspired food that might be a hit at tailgating events for University of Arkansas fans. The result is…

America’s Car-Mart notes ongoing ‘affordability crisis’

The cost of food and childcare is a financial constraint on many folks trying to buy used cars. That’s part of the assessment from America’s Car-Mart President and CEO Doug…

Starbucks baristas in LR file for union election

Starbucks baristas at the Geyer Springs & I-30 location filed a petition for a union election on Friday (July 26), according to a press release on Tuesday (July 30). With…

Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue pullback continues through July report

Sales tax is an indicator of consumer spending on goods and services in communities. The cumulative sales tax revenue reported by the four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas in July…

Walmart to open 25 specialty pharmacies

Walmart plans to expand its autoimmune-focused specialty pharmacy business with 25 locations in Alabama, Idaho, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Walmart recently closed its healthcare clinics and sold its telehealth business…

The Supply Side: Convenience stores focus on foodservice growth

With rising menu prices from fast food to casual dining restaurants, convenience stores are doubling down on their quick-serve and made-to-order foods in an effort to attract more customers on…

Walmart leases health care clinics in Fort Smith, Northwest Arkansas to Mercy

Mercy said Thursday (July 25) it will move into three former Walmart Health Centers in supercenters in Fort Smith, Rogers and Springdale. Mercy said the clinics will offer primary care…

Retail foot traffic improves, consumers seek diverse shopping options

Most retailers saw improved consumer traffic in stores over the past year, according to a report by Placer.ai. Ethan Chernofsky, Placer.ai marketing exec, said part of the rebound in foot…

AQ Chicken House partners plan to open new store in 2025

Developers for the new AQ Chicken House in Springdale have submitted plans to the city for design and development review. The well-known restaurant closed March 18, 2023, but a Springdale family…

Amazon Prime Day sales rise 11% to $14.2 billion

Consumers showed up big for Amazon’s annual Prime Day sales event spending 11% more this year thanks in part to deeper discounted prices, according to Adobe Analytics. Sales for the…

The Supply Side: Back-to-school shopping comes earlier

As soon as the July 4 holiday ends, families often switch their spending intentions toward back-to-school. A recent survey by JLL found parents plan to spend 21.8% more on back-to-school…

Long-time Walmart employee now ‘picking’ as a personal shopper

It’s an early and busy shift for Lee Hiett, a 34-year Walmart employee, who shops almost nonstop for eight hours filling online grocery orders at the supercenter at 4208 Pleasant…

Tipton & Hurst welcomes 4th generation addition to staff

Tipton & Hurst announced Josie Hurst will join the team as brand strategy manager, making her the fourth generation of the Hurst family to join the 138-year-old family-owned and operated…

Smalls Sliders restaurant coming to Jonesboro

The first Smalls Sliders restaurant in Arkansas will be opened in Jonesboro, according to Haag Brown Commercial. It will be located in front of the Sumo Japanese Steakhouse on Red…

Online grocery sales rise 8.4% in June from year ago

U.S. consumers spent $7.7 billion in June for online grocery orders, up 2.9% from May and 8.4% higher than a year ago, according to Bricks Meets Clicks/Mercatus shopper survey. Online…

The Supply Side: WalMex, India’s PhonePe grow ecosystems inside Walmart International

Walmart International’s revenue reached $114.6 billion last year, which represented 18% of Walmart’s consolidated sales in fiscal 2024. The business sector holds tremendous growth potential in some of the world’s…

U.S. retail sales grew 3.42% in June

Retail sales reported by the National Retail Federation Retail Monitor indicated consumer spending slowed in June compared to May. Excluding automobile and gasoline, sales were up 0.47% from May, slower…

Connections: Arkansas Blue Cross hires NWA network rep

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has hired Dawn Roberts as a network development representative in Northwest Arkansas. Roberts will conduct provider education and offer admin support to hospitals, clinics…

More than 40% of U.S. households expected to shop Amazon Prime event

Consumer spending has remained resilient despite sticky inflation, and early indications by data, tech provider Numerator predicts that more than 40% of U.S. households will shop Amazon Prime Day event…