shoppers

Walmart has stated that neither the company nor its AI shopping assistant uses customers' personal information to determine prices. The retail giant moved to reassure shoppers amid growing public concern that AI tools could enable personalized or surge-style pricing based on individual browsing and purchase data. The statement comes as retailers face increased scrutiny over how artificial intelligence and customer data are used in pricing decisions.

Reports indicate the United States is imposing import bans on Canadian goods, adding to ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. Coverage, including a New York Times piece asking why trade wars keep affecting whiskey, suggests consumers are feeling the impact of tariffs and restrictions on everyday products like spirits. The dispute is fueling concern among Canadian exporters and American shoppers about rising prices and supply disruptions.

Taylor Farms has issued a recall of lettuce products across 27 US states amid an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, a foodborne illness caused by a parasite that causes intestinal symptoms. News outlets are reporting details consumers need to know, including which products are affected and what steps shoppers should take if they have purchased the recalled lettuce.

A major American women's clothing retailer known for affordable fashion is closing 120 stores. The announcement, reported by regional US outlets, adds to a string of store closures across the apparel sector as chains grapple with shifting shopping habits and rising costs. Shoppers are discussing which locations will be affected and what the closures mean for the brand's future.

Apple's launch timeline for its next iPhone duo is drawing attention, with Forbes laying out the key dates shoppers need to know, including when pre-orders open, when the first reviews land, and when the phones go on sale. Yahoo Tech is carrying the same report, and buyers are using it to plan their upgrade timing ahead of the annual fall release cycle.

Major retailers are scaling back self-checkout systems, reversing years of expansion. Reports point to a mix of theft concerns, customer frustration, and staff costs as drivers of the shift, with shoppers online widely sharing their own negative experiences with the machines. Chains are now experimenting with staffed lanes and hybrid models instead.

A multi-state E. coli outbreak has sickened more than a dozen people, including one in Oregon, prompting health officials to issue an urgent recall of raw cheese. Investigators are working to confirm the contaminated product and remove it from stores. Consumers are being warned to check their refrigerators and discard affected items as the investigation continues.

Walmart says it is not using shoppers' personal information to set prices as it rolls out digital shelf labels in more of its US stores. The company addressed privacy concerns raised around the technology, which lets stores change prices remotely instead of with paper tags. The statement comes as retailers face growing scrutiny over personalized and surveillance-based pricing.

PepsiCo says it will raise prices on its chips and soda products, with increases expected in the coming months. The snack and beverage giant, whose brands include Lay's, Doritos and Pepsi, is adjusting pricing amid ongoing cost pressures. Consumers are bracing for higher grocery bills, and the announcement is drawing wide attention as shoppers track when the new prices will take effect.

Reports say discounts on Apple's iPhone 17 are disappearing as price increases spread across markets. The story, picked up by outlets including Forbes, suggests retailers are scaling back promotions while Apple's pricing moves extend beyond the initial launch offers, leaving buyers facing higher effective prices on the latest iPhones.

A fast-spreading retail theft scheme is hitting major US chains, including Walmart, Target, and CVS, according to a report by TheStreet. Details of how the scam operates or which locations are most affected were not provided. Shoppers and retailers are being urged to stay alert as losses from organised retail crime continue to climb across the sector.

A retail chain that has operated for 43 years is shutting down and has launched a liquidation sale as it winds up business. The closure marks the end of a decades-long run for a well-known name in the sector, and shoppers are being alerted to discounted inventory as stores prepare to close for good.

Major clothing retailers including Uniqlo and Zara are offering garment repair and mending services as they court Gen Z shoppers. The move taps into younger consumers' interest in sustainability, durability and making clothes last longer, turning an old-fashioned service into a competitive selling point for global fast-fashion brands.

Costco has shared an update on how it returned money to members as tariffs raised prices. The warehouse club says it has rolled back some tariff-related charges rather than passing those costs on to shoppers, and the latest figures show the total it has given back so far. The move is drawing attention as consumers watch how major retailers absorb or pass along tariff costs.

Amazon has expanded its partnership with Affirm to let shoppers pay for purchases over up to 48 monthly instalments directly in checkout. The move extends buy-now-pay-later beyond short-term instalments, making long-duration financing a standard option on one of the world's largest retail platforms and deepening the fintech's presence in mainstream e-commerce.

Major US grocers Walmart, Aldi and Kroger are reportedly adopting a move pioneered by Costco, according to TheStreet. The report did not specify the exact policy, but the framing suggests the retailers are copying a Costco strategy seen as successful in the grocery sector. Shoppers and retail watchers are weighing what the shift could mean for prices and store practices.

The Seattle City Council has voted to prohibit surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, a practice where retailers use customer data — such as shopping history, location, or personal characteristics — to set individualized prices. Consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports, which supported the measure, says the ban protects shoppers from being charged differently based on profiling. The vote has drawn attention from privacy advocates and others watching how cities regulate algorithmic and data-driven retail practices.

Amazon customers in the United States could receive refunds of up to $200 automatically as part of an expanded $2.5 billion settlement. The payouts stem from a legal settlement over Amazon's Prime subscription practices, and eligible shoppers do not need to file a claim to receive money. Coverage is urging people to check whether they qualify.

A major American lender is reportedly preparing for a significant change in how US consumers shop, according to Yahoo Finance. The report suggests the company sees a surprising shift in consumer behaviour on the horizon and is positioning itself ahead of it. Details on the nature of the shift or the lender's specific strategy have not been disclosed.

Immigration authorities are making an increasing number of arrests outside big-box stores and supermarkets in Oregon, according to local reporting. The pattern is drawing attention from residents and advocates concerned about enforcement agents waiting at everyday retail locations. The report outlines what shoppers and workers should know about their rights if they encounter such operations.

Retailers are reworking their payment infrastructure to accommodate agentic commerce, in which AI agents rather than human shoppers initiate and complete purchases. The shift raises questions about authentication, fraud prevention and how merchants verify transactions made on a customer's behalf. Industry observers say payment rails built for human checkout are poorly suited to machine-initiated buying, prompting retailers to explore new authorization and trust frameworks.

Kroger has discontinued one of its gas perk programs just as US pump prices reached a record high for the month of September. The grocery chain's fuel savings scheme had let shoppers redeem points for discounts at the pump. The timing of the withdrawal has drawn attention, with customers facing some of the highest September fuel costs on record now losing a program that cushioned those expenses.

Revolut is promoting 'selfie payments', a pair of new features that use facial biometrics to make checkout faster, as part of its broader push to disrupt traditional banks and legacy payment providers. Commenters are weighing what the fintech stands to gain from the move and whether biometric payments will catch on with shoppers and regulators.

Lowe's has launched a new service as the home improvement retailer works to win back customers. The company is trying to reverse weak traffic amid a slowdown in home improvement spending, as consumers put off big renovation projects and rival Home Depot continues to compete for the same shoppers. Details of the service and early customer reaction remain limited.

A new study finds that health claims printed on food packaging can obscure important nutritional trade-offs. Products marketed as healthy in one respect may be worse in others, such as higher sugar or lower protein, leading shoppers to overestimate their overall nutritional value. Researchers say the findings raise questions about labelling rules and how consumers interpret front-of-pack claims.

The gluten-free food sector is under the spotlight as rising consumer demand for gluten-free products collides with evolving regulatory standards. Industry observers note that manufacturers must adapt labelling and production practices to meet stricter rules while responding to a market driven by health-conscious shoppers and those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Frugal Fannie's, a regional discount retailer, has shut down, according to a report from TheStreet. The outlet frames the closure as part of a broader pattern of once-dominant regional retail chains going out of business, as smaller players struggle against national competitors, rising costs and shifting consumer habits. The store's disappearance marks the end of a familiar local name for longtime shoppers.

GAC's AION UT electric hatchback is being examined as a test of whether Chinese carmakers can convert UK shopper curiosity into lasting brand loyalty. The compact EV arrives in a British market increasingly open to Chinese brands on price and technology, but where long-term customer trust remains unproven. Commentators see the model as a gauge of how far new entrants can go against established rivals.

Kroger is trialing a significant change to its store opening hours for customers. The grocery chain is among the largest supermarket operators in the United States, so any adjustment to when stores open and close could affect millions of shoppers' routines. Details of which regions are affected and whether the change could roll out nationwide were not provided.

BYD has confirmed that the current pricing for Australia's cheapest electric vehicle is temporary, signalling buyers should not expect the low price to remain in place indefinitely. The announcement puts pressure on cost-conscious shoppers considering the switch to an EV, and fuels debate about whether affordable electric cars can stay cheap as discounts and promotional pricing taper off in the Australian market.