shoppers

Walmart says neither the company nor its AI shopping assistant uses customers' personal information to set prices, pushing back on concerns about personalized or surveillance-based pricing at the retail giant. The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of how retailers deploy AI tools and shopper data. It remains unclear whether regulators or consumer groups are investigating the practice.

Prices for wheat, corn and sugar are climbing sharply on commodity exchanges, prompting concern in Germany that a new wave of food inflation is on the way. So far, the increases have barely reached supermarket shelves, but experts warn it is only a matter of time before shoppers feel the impact.

Walmart has publicly committed that it will not use customer data to set personalized prices, saying bluntly 'We won't do it.' The pledge comes as major retailers face growing scrutiny over how they harvest shopper data, including concerns that companies could charge different customers different prices based on their purchasing habits and profiles.

Apple's latest launch timeline for its next iPhone duo has been laid out, covering the key dates for pre-orders, the first reviews and the general release. Outlets including Forbes and Yahoo Tech are running details of the schedule, giving shoppers and reviewers a clear window for when the new handsets can be ordered, evaluated and bought.

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.

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.

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.

Walmart says it does not use shoppers' personal information to set prices as the retailer expands its use of digital shelf labels in stores. The statement comes as the electronic price tags roll out across more locations, raising concerns among some consumers that dynamic, personalized pricing could follow. The company's reassurance is being picked up widely by US local and national news outlets.

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.

Major US grocers Walmart, Aldi and Kroger are moving in the same direction as Costco on a retail policy, according to a report from TheStreet. The story suggests the country's biggest supermarket chains are converging on a strategy pioneered by the warehouse club, prompting shoppers to discuss what the change could mean for prices and the in-store experience.

Retailers are rebuilding their payment infrastructure to serve agentic commerce, where AI agents rather than human shoppers initiate and complete purchases. The shift requires new payment rails that can authenticate machine-driven transactions, handle delegated authority, and manage fraud risks when software acts on a customer's behalf. Industry coverage suggests payments providers and merchants see agent-led buying as the next major e-commerce battleground.

Amazon has issued what is being described as a warning shot directed at its Prime membership base, according to a report by TheStreet. The report suggests the retail giant is signaling a change or tougher stance affecting Prime members, though the exact details of the measure remain unspecified in the headline. The news is drawing attention from shoppers and retail watchers tracking how Amazon treats its subscription customers.

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.

A fashion retailer founded 17 years ago is shutting down all of its stores, according to a report by TheStreet. The closure marks the end of a young brand that had built its business around physical retail locations. Details on the number of stores affected, the reasons behind the decision, and the impact on employees have not yet been disclosed.

The gluten-free food sector is under scrutiny as growing consumer demand collides with evolving regulatory standards. Industry observers note that clearer labelling rules and stricter definitions of gluten-free products could reshape how manufacturers formulate and market their goods, while shoppers continue driving growth in the category for health and dietary reasons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Harvey Norman has opened its 41st store in Malaysia at Coalfields Retail Park in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. The Australian electronics and furniture retailer continues expanding its Malaysian footprint, with the new outlet adding to its presence in the Klang Valley and offering tech, appliances and homeware to shoppers in the growing area.

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.

A new study examines how growing food at home shapes consumer choices when people shop for groceries. Researchers suggest that tending a backyard garden influences what shoppers buy, how much they spend, and their preferences for fresh produce. The findings offer insights for retailers and food marketers looking to understand the growing number of households cultivating their own vegetables and herbs.