shoppers

Walmart's CEO has said the retailer will not use dynamic pricing to raise prices for individual customers based on their shopping history, addressing concerns around its digital shelf labels. The statement comes as shoppers worry that electronic price tags could let stores charge different customers different amounts for the same item.

UK shop price inflation slowed even as businesses continue to face cost pressures, according to the British Retail Consortium. The figures suggest retailers are absorbing some of their rising expenses rather than passing them fully on to shoppers, a potential sign of easing pressure on household budgets.

PwC analysis highlights how US consumer spending is diverging along a 'K-shaped' pattern: higher-income households continue to spend strongly on travel, dining and discretionary goods, while lower-income households cut back as inflation and borrowing costs strain budgets. The report suggests retailers and consumer brands face increasingly split demand, with value-focused formats gaining ground among squeezed shoppers while premium segments stay resilient.

Prices for wheat, corn and sugar are rising sharply on commodity exchanges, yet German supermarkets have so far seen little of the increase. Experts warn it is only a matter of time before higher raw material costs reach consumers, raising fears that food inflation could pick up again in Germany. The report by Angela Göpfert examines whether shoppers should brace for a new inflationary wave.

Retail sales rose again in August, marking the eleventh consecutive month of growth, according to a report circulating in business news. The sustained streak points to steady consumer demand despite ongoing concerns about inflation and higher interest rates. Commentators are watching whether shoppers can keep spending at this pace heading into the final months of the year.

Walmart has pledged that it will not adjust product prices based on shoppers' personal information or the time of day. In a letter to customers, CEO John Furner said the company's rollout of digital shelf labels is intended to save store labor and speed up price updates, not enable surveillance-based pricing. The statement follows Wall Street Journal reporting raising concerns that electronic labels could allow retailers to charge different customers different prices.

Seattle's City Council has voted to ban surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, stopping retailers from setting individualized prices based on customer data such as shopping history, location, or personal profiles. Consumer advocates including Consumer Reports welcomed the move, saying it protects shoppers from hidden discrimination, while retailers may face new compliance costs.

PepsiCo has announced plans to raise prices on its snack chips and soda products, with outlets reporting when consumers can expect the increases to take effect. Shoppers are discussing what the hikes mean for grocery bills, as food and beverage companies continue adjusting prices in response to higher costs. Details on the exact timing and size of the increases remain limited in initial coverage.

Walmart's chief executive has spoken out on concerns around dynamic pricing, addressing worries that the retailer could adjust prices in real time based on demand. The remarks come as dynamic pricing draws scrutiny across retail following its use in other industries. Shoppers and commentators are watching closely for assurances that everyday grocery prices will remain stable and predictable.

Kroger, Giant Eagle and DoorDash are developing agentic AI assistants, systems that can carry out multi-step tasks for shoppers rather than just answer questions, according to Modern Retail. The report looks at how each grocery and delivery company is building the technology into its apps and operations.

A recall has been issued for raw cheese products after they were linked to an E. coli outbreak, according to USA Today. Consumers are being urged to check whether products they have at home are affected and to avoid eating any items included in the recall. The full list of recalled products has been published for shoppers to review.

Walmart has publicly committed that it will not use customer data to set personalized prices, saying plainly: 'We won't do it.' The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of how major retailers use shopper data, with consumers and regulators increasingly worried about individualized or surge-style pricing. The retail giant is seeking to reassure shoppers that its pricing will remain uniform, but debate continues over whether such voluntary pledges can be trusted or verified.

Walmart's grocery business is increasingly being positioned as the retailer's answer to Amazon Prime, according to a new report. By building loyalty through everyday food shopping, Walmart appears to be turning its largest category into the foundation of a membership-style ecosystem that can compete with Amazon's subscription model for customer retention and spending.

The European Union plans to introduce a €2 handling fee on small parcels imported from outside the bloc. The charge would apply to online orders shipped into the EU, adding a new cost to cross-border e-commerce purchases. The move is expected to affect shoppers buying from non-EU retailers and could draw criticism over added consumer costs.

The EU is introducing two mandatory labels to make it easier for consumers to understand their rights when products like washing machines break down shortly after purchase. The labels are meant to clearly distinguish statutory warranty rights from voluntary commercial guarantees, so shoppers no longer have to guess what coverage applies when goods fail within weeks of buying them.

Walmart and Target, the two largest US general merchandise retailers, are reportedly competing head-to-head in a key sector of their business. The specifics of which sector is at the center of this rivalry were not detailed, but the story highlights ongoing competition between the two chains as both fight for market share among American shoppers.

A new study puts the annual cost of owning a new car at $12,863, covering expenses beyond the purchase price. The research also breaks down which vehicle types are cheaper to own and operate, giving shoppers a way to compare long-term costs. Drivers are weighing the findings against high prices and financing rates.

Walmart says neither the company nor its AI shopping assistant uses customers' personal information to set prices. The statement, reported by Fortune, comes amid growing scrutiny of how retailers and AI tools use shopper data for personalized pricing, a practice critics say can disadvantage some consumers.

Major retailers are reversing course on self-checkout, scaling back or removing the machines from stores. The shift follows widespread shopper frustration with malfunctioning scanners, constant staff interventions, accusations of theft, and research suggesting the kiosks drive up losses without clear cost savings. Social media users have long complained about the checkout experience, and those discussions are now being cited as evidence of why chains like Walmart, Target and Dollar General are rethinking the technology.

The gluten-free food sector is being shaped by two forces at once: sustained consumer demand for gluten-free products and evolving regulatory standards governing how such foods are labelled and produced. Industry coverage suggests manufacturers must balance meeting growing shopper interest with compliance as rules around gluten-free claims continue to change.

Apple's launch plans for its upcoming iPhone duo are drawing attention, with new reporting laying out the key dates buyers should watch: when pre-orders open, when the first reviews are published, and when the phones actually go on sale. The staggered schedule gives customers a window to decide between the two models before release day, and coverage is tracking each milestone as it approaches.

Reports say major beauty retailers Mecca and Sephora are being outpaced by online marketplaces in the global beauty market. Coverage across finance outlets suggests marketplace platforms are growing faster than traditional beauty chains, reshaping where shoppers buy cosmetics and skincare. Industry watchers are weighing what the shift means for brick-and-mortar beauty retail and store-based brands.

A new study finds that shoppers value healthier and more environmentally friendly foods when asked, but their actual purchases still favour meat. The findings point to a persistent gap between consumers' stated preferences and their real buying behaviour, with taste, price and habit continuing to outweigh health and sustainability concerns at the point of sale.

Walmart has pledged that it will not use shoppers' personal data to set individualized prices. The commitment, reported by retail industry outlets, addresses growing consumer and regulator concern that retailers could use purchase histories and personal information to charge different customers different prices for the same products. It positions the retailer as taking a public stance on data-driven pricing practices.

Walmart says it does not use customers' personal information to set prices, pushing back on privacy concerns as it rolls out digital shelf labels across more of its US stores. The retailer says the electronic tags allow faster price updates and clearer labelling, but the expansion has raised questions about whether dynamic, personalised pricing could follow. Walmart maintains prices will not vary based on individual shopper data.

New coverage highlights a growing gap between consumer interest in retail pricing and their trust in it. Shoppers are paying closer attention to how prices are set, yet confidence in retailers' pricing practices is not keeping pace, suggesting retailers face a credibility challenge as price transparency becomes more important to consumers.

Victoria's Secret is betting on the return of its fashion show to win back customers and lift demand for its brand. The revived event is being watched as a test of whether spectacle can translate into sales growth for the struggling lingerie retailer. Analysts and investors are questioning whether the show can attract new shoppers and reverse weak demand trends.

Discounts on the iPhone 17 are drying up as Apple's price increases extend across more markets, with outlets including Forbes and Yahoo News Singapore reporting that retailers and carriers are pulling back deals. Consumers hunting bargains on the latest iPhone are finding fewer offers, and prices appear to be climbing in multiple regions, prompting discussion about how far the increases will spread.

South Korean retail giant Shinsegae is preparing to enter the United States beauty market with a dedicated retail platform focused on K-Beauty products. The move would bring Korean skincare and cosmetics brands to American shoppers through a Shinsegae-run channel, extending the group's retail reach beyond Asia and tapping into sustained global demand for Korean beauty products.

Amazon is preparing to run its October Prime Big Deal Days savings event, an early holiday shopping promotion exclusive to Prime members. Coverage so far consists of early previews outlining what shoppers can expect from the discounts, with details on exact dates and deals still limited ahead of the event's start.

Parisian department store Le Bon Marché is expanding its luxury retail offering with a suite dedicated to collectible pieces, created in collaboration with designer Edgar Jayet. The move reflects a broader push by established retailers to court collectors and design-focused shoppers with limited, one-of-a-kind objects alongside traditional luxury goods.

StockX has launched an initiative converting celebrity wardrobes into shoppable archives, letting fans buy items curated from well-known figures' closets through the resale platform. The move ties celebrity culture to the sneaker and streetwear resale market, giving stars a new way to monetize their collections while offering shoppers access to rare, personally sourced pieces.

Apple has raised prices, but discounts on the iPhone 17 are already being offered by some retailers, Forbes reports. Shoppers can reportedly find deals that soften the impact of the increase, making the new phone cheaper than its list price at certain sellers. The combination of higher official pricing and quick discounting is drawing attention from consumers watching upgrade costs.

Whey protein powder has become one of the products affected by tariffs under Trump's trade war, according to a consumer news report. The item suggests shoppers could face higher prices on a staple of the fitness and supplements market as import costs rise. Specific tariff rates and affected suppliers were not detailed.

Discount retailer Burlington has opened a new store in Lake Forest, California. The Orange County Register reported the opening in its local business status update column. The store adds to the retailer's Southern California footprint and gives Lake Forest shoppers another off-price option alongside nearby competitors.