Walmart sees sales drop as US consumer spending retreats
Fuel prices above $4 per gallon impact consumer behaviour, driving spending trade-offs and slowing Walmart’s growth.
![Walmart stock sank on the news of the synthetic dye phase out. As of 12:00 PM in New York (16:00 GMT) it is down by more than 1.9 percent [File: Mike Blake / Reuters ]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-05-15T181907Z_1336669089_RC2GIEA06Z2G_RTRMADP_3_USA-TARIFFS-RETAIL-1759335115.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![A Zohran Mamdani "Mam Daddy" sticker sits next to "Abolish ICE" and other politically themed merchandise on sale in New York City. [Al Jazeera]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/christmas_politics_merchandise_shopping_zohran_mamdani_mam_daddy_sticker-1766500452.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Costco is amongst several companies including Ray-Ban and Revlon suing the Trump administration [File: David Zalubowski/AP]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AP25330457908630-copy-1764698302.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Unionised Starbucks workers begin ‘open-ended’ US strike
The strike comes as the company’s workers push for better wages and benefits.
![The union is also calling on consumers to boycott Starbucks stores [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-13T162712Z_595565128_RC2SVHALM41H_RTRMADP_3_STARBUCKS-LABOR-NEW-YORK-1763052279.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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What sparked a French furore over a Shein store in Paris?
‘Fast-fashion’ retailer faces anger in Paris amid warnings the sale of ‘childlike’ sex dolls will damage city’s image.
![People protest against the sale of child-like sex dolls by Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein during a demonstration in front of the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, Le BHV Marais department store, ahead of the opening of Shein's fast fashion first permanent shop in Paris, France, November 3, 2025. The slogans on placards read "Shame on Shein!", "Shein is complicit in child pornography" and "BHV, your shop window shouldn't hide this shame". [Abdul Saboor/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-03T125452Z_554927572_RC20PHAHAU87_RTRMADP_3_SHEIN-FRANCE-SEX-DOLLS-1762256497.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Kimberly-Clark to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue for $40bn
The deal has analysts puzzled, as the US maker of Tylenol has seen sales dip after the White House linked it to autism.
EXPLAINER
Is artificial intelligence to blame for Amazon job cuts?
Amazon confirms 14,000 layoffs after CEO says AI likely to lead to job losses.
Mexico’s footwear industry could benefit from US tariffs. But it’s not
Mexican shoe businesses can export to US tariff-free under USMCA but old policies and corrupt practices hold them back.
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‘Surveillance pricing’: Why you might be paying more than your neighbour
Are retailers using AI to access customers’ personal data and set higher prices for those they think will pay more?
How tensions with Bangladesh are roiling India’s sari business
Bangladesh’s political turmoil has been mixed bag for the Indian sari industry, hurting some traders and helping others.
Walmart to phase out synthetic dyes in its US private label food brands
The big box retailer is the latest company to join a slew of others to cut back on additives under White House pressure.
Amazon to pay $2.5bn for allegedly duping millions to sign up for Prime
While a win for consumers and the FTC, the settlement is relatively painless for Amazon which makes $2.5bn in 33 hours.
Starbucks to close underperforming stores in restructuring efforts
The cuts are expected to lead to hundreds of layoffs.
