Consumer spending pushes US economy up 4.4% in third quarter, fastest in two years at AP. “America’s gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rose at a 4,4% annual pace in the third quarter, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, up from 3.8% in the April-June quarter and from the 4.3% growth the department initially estimated. The economy hasn’t grown faster since third-quarter 2023.” Read more

 

Americans Travel the World Only to Wind Up in Costco at WSJ. “Some may ask why Costco fans fly halfway across the planet to visit the same temple to excess they have back home. Their response: What better way to understand a culture than by seeing what locals buy in bulk? “I’ll take the extra time and transportation to get to a Costco over standing in line for two hours to get into the Louvre,” said Tommy Breaux, a 66-year-old retiree in Houston who counts a suburban Paris location among his foreign conquests.” WSJ subs.

 

World’s Most Admired Companies Ranking (2026) at Fortune: Apple #1, Amazon #3, Costco #7, Walmart #9, Home Depot #21 Full list

 

CVS Health may have violated antitrust laws, Republican lawmakers say at Bloomberg/MSN. “The House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report Wednesday as part of an investigation that began in 2024…Lawmakers allege that CVS tried to kick independent pharmacies out of that network if they were partnering with companies that provided services competing with other things CVS also does.” Read more

 

Klarna to offer after-purchase BNPL Press release

 

How Walmart Shifted Away from Only Serving the ‘Bottom of the Closet’ at Retail Touchpoints. “Walmart fashion had mostly been in the socks and underwear business,” (Denise) Incandela added. “We were winning on price, but we weren’t winning on quality, aesthetic and style.” Read more

 

Maryland lawmakers introduce bill to prevent dynamic grocery pricing at CBS News

 

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How much are GLP-1 users cutting food and liquor spending? at Chain Store Age. “Results of a survey of consumers who use GLP-1 medications…conducted by online pharmacy ZipHealth: Alcohol: Down 40% to $19 from $31…Groceries: Down 22% to $137 from $175…” Read more

 

BJ’s Wholesale Club is adding new in-aisle interactive screens at Progressive Grocer

 

The State of Gen Z in 2026: The Checked-Out Generation at The Robin Report. “The generation we thought would be radically progressive is now embracing tradwife aesthetics. In 2026, we anticipate Gen Z purchasing behavior to continue in a disturbing trend: They’re spending less and expecting more from retailers…And affordability isn’t an afterthought, either. In a five-year review of Gen Z consumers, PwC found that more than 79 percent wait for products to go on sale, and only 21 percent regularly pay full price.” Read more

 

Hy-Vee Launches Nothing But The Truth Private Label Brand at The Shelby Report

 

Pentaleap Is Powering Macy’s Ad Deal With Amazon at Adweek

 

Procter & Gamble earnings top estimates, but shrinking demand weighs on sales at CNBC. “Net sales rose 1% to $22.21 billion. Organic sales, which strips out foreign currency, acquisitions and divestitures, were flat for the quarter. P&G’s volume fell 1%, as three out of its five product categories reported shrinking volume.” Read more

 

Walmart Marketplace Expands into Premium Musical Instruments “New shop features trusted names including Fender, Roland, Boss, Zildjian, and more.” Press release

 

Largest H Mart in US is opening in Bay Area at KRON 4

 

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