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.

Post-Brexit labelling requirements on British goods are set to be scrapped, with the EU-derived 'not for EU' markings that appeared on many food products expected to disappear under new rules announced by the UK government. The labels were introduced after Brexit as part of trade arrangements for goods sold in Northern Ireland, and their removal is being discussed as a simplification for retailers and shoppers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The European Union is set to introduce a €2 handling fee on parcels imported from outside the bloc, adding a new charge to online shopping orders shipped from non-EU countries. The fee is expected to affect millions of consumers who buy goods from overseas e-commerce platforms and has sparked debate about its impact on households.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.