American retailer, tools, home improvement, and services leader
Retailers are embracing AI agents to shop on customers’ behalf while clashing with platforms that restrict or block agent use. Walmart leads with agent gateways and profiles; Amazon blocks Muse on its site, pushing a broader debate about security, privacy, and consumer choice. Home Depot and Target are testing openness and in-house AI, signaling a fragmented landscape for AI-assisted shopping.
Amazon has disclosed a $600 million tariff refund in Q2 after a Supreme Court ruling found Trump-era tariffs illegal. The refunds, largely benefiting customers, will be issued automatically where specific charges can be traced. Most refunds will go to affected buyers, with third-party sellers absorbing the bulk of the levies.
A wave of safety recalls has affected vehicles, ladders, refrigerators and trucks, impacting hundreds of thousands of consumers. Toyota recalls 655,000 vehicles for a faulty 7-inch display; Ram 1500 seat belt anchors are under scrutiny; attic ladders face bolt-break risks; Galanz refrigerators pose fire hazards. Notifications begin this week with free repairs and updates.
Home Depot has announced interim leadership as CEO Decker takes a medical leave. Ann-Marie Campbell will oversee day-to-day operations while CFO Richard McPhail runs financial management and the Pro business; lead independent director Greg Brenneman becomes chair. The company says Decker will return within months.
Two families featured by Business Insider UK explain how adult children are funding and arranging elder care. One covers a mother with a heart condition and a son who built an ADU to house his mom, while another follows a caregiver who has created a long-term, horse-assisted program for disabilities, balancing work and family.
Walmart has reported mixed results as consumer spending tightens. The company has highlighted slower comparable sales, partly driven by tariff refunds and higher costs, while maintaining guidance. Analysts note the consumer is under pressure as July retail data underscored a broader slowdown.
Jessica Bowie has been arrested in Albany after an FBI counterterrorism operation foiled her plan to bomb the New York State Capitol using an inert explosive in a DoorDash bag. She has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is under heavy investigation for radicalization online.
Federal prosecutors have charged Jessica Bowie, 35, with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organisation after she told an FBI informant she planned to bomb the New York State Capitol, kill senators and flee to Syria. Bowie has been accused of conducting reconnaissance, buying bomb materials and discussing disguises with undercover operatives before her arrest on Aug. 19.
Retailers are expanding same‑day delivery with new three‑hour options backed by store fleets. Home Depot, Target, Walmart and others are pushing speed, while pilots and pricing spark debate about accessibility and costs.
Dollar General reports a quarterly rise in comparable-store sales of 3.5% and higher traffic, driven by a value-focused strategy and the expansion of its $1 Value Valley assortment to attract budget-conscious shoppers amid inflation.
Gas prices have risen nationwide, with California remaining the most expensive state. The national average sits near $4.08 per gallon, while California averages above $5, driven by ongoing oil market volatility and policy dynamics. President has scheduled talks with refining executives to address prices.
A wave of higher borrowing costs is squeezing budgets as the AI buildout accelerates, with authorities signaling tighter policy ahead. Officials face pressure to balance growth and inflation, while bond markets push yields higher amid renewed funding needs.
Walmart has announced a broader push into restaurant delivery, starting with Dunkin’ products from its stores via Walmart Restaurant Delivery and expanding to thousands of Dunkin’ locations. Separately, Walmart is launching 30-minute Papa John’s deliveries through its app in select markets, scaling to more locations in coming weeks.
Ulta Beauty is under pressure as civil liberties groups and customers push back against Flock auto‑tracking cameras used in some stores. Ulta says the cameras operate at a small number of locations for crime prevention, with no facial recognition and strict data controls. The debate centers on privacy, safety, and the role of retailers in monitoring shoppers.
The New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a lower‑court ruling, saying the NLRB misbalanced Starbucks’ interests in its public image with workers’ rights to unionize. The case involves brown aprons and pre‑approved shirts, and the court sends the matter back for a more even balancing test while noting the board’s current composition.
A wave of reporting shows ALPR technology in private retail networks and school buses drawing privacy concerns, with retailers facing pressure from campaigns to withdraw from Flock Safety and authorities tightening use rules.
The US Federal Trade Commission, alongside 20 states, has filed a lawsuit accusing Dollar General of deceptive pricing. The retailer allegedly mislabeled prices on shelves, price tags, and advertisements, overcharging shoppers and failing to fix the issue despite extensive corporate knowledge. The action follows thousands of complaints and centers on stores serving lower-income, rural communities.
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit joined by 20 states alleging that Dollar General has repeatedly mislabeled prices and overcharged shoppers, failing to correct the problem despite corporate knowledge. The suit, filed in Tennessee federal court, targets thousands of stores and cites tens of thousands of consumer complaints as evidence of ongoing harm.