ReportWire

Tag: Walmart

  • The best cheap Windows laptops for 2025

    [ad_1]

    Not everyone needs a super-expensive, top-of-the-line laptop, and the good news is you don’t have to break the bank to get a solid machine. Whether you’re a student, a casual user or just looking for an affordable device for everyday tasks, there are plenty of great options out there. The trick is finding the best cheap Windows laptop that balances performance, build quality and battery life without making too many compromises.

    If you’re in the very particular bind of needing to upgrade your machine before Windows 10 support ends in October, don’t fret. The machines listed below will serve you well for basic tasks, but we also put together a whole list of the best Windows laptops to replace your aging machine that includes higher price-point options.

    Table of contents

    What to look for in a budget-friendly Windows laptop

    While you can do a lot even when spending little on a Windows laptop, you must set your expectations accordingly. The biggest downside when purchasing a budget laptop (of any kind, really) is limited power. You’ll want to carefully consider a few specs, the most important among them being the processor (CPU). Many Windows laptops under $500 run on Intel Celeron or Pentium chipsets, but you can find some with Core i3/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3/5 CPUs at the higher end of the price spectrum.

    We recommend getting the most powerful CPU you can afford because it will dictate how fast the computer will feel overall. Memory (RAM) is also important because, the more you have, the easier it will be for the laptop to manage things like a dozen browser tabs while you edit a Word document and stream music in the background.

    When it comes to storage, consider how much you want to save locally. If you primarily work in Google Docs or save most things in the cloud, you may not need a machine with a ton of onboard storage. Just remember that your digital space will also be taken up by apps, so it may be worth getting a little extra storage than you think you need if you know you’ll be downloading big programs. A final side note: solid state drives (SSDs) are ubiquitous at this point, not to mention faster and more efficient than hard drives (HDDs), so we recommend getting a laptop with that type of storage.

    As for screens, there’s a healthy mix of HD (720p resolution) and FHD (1080p) options in this price range and we recommend springing for a notebook with a 1080p display if you can. Touchscreens aren’t as common in the budget space as standard panels, but you’ll only really miss one if you get a 2-in-1 laptop.

    Before we get to our recommended specs for a cheap Windows laptop, it’s worth mentioning that Microsoft clearly lays out the true minimum requirements for any Windows 11 machine. Those include a 1GHz or faster processor that includes two or more cores, at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of available storage space. That’s the bare minimum to run Windows 11; we recommend giving yourself some wiggle room by choosing a machine that will perform well now and for years to come.

    Specs to look for in an affordable Windows laptop

    • CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors, at minimum

    • Storage: At least 128GB SSD

    • Screen: At least 1080p FHD

    It’s essential to prioritize what’s important to you. But at the lower end of the budget, a good laptop may not offer everything you need, whereas a great one might. Although most machines come with features like Bluetooth, built-in Wi-Fi and additional ports, you might find not all of them come with the specifics you require, like an SD card slot, webcam, charger, and so on. Be sure to check the spec list of any laptop you’re considering before you buy, especially if you need specific connectors and capabilities.

    See Also:

    As for Copilot+, don’t expect to see much of it on truly affordable Windows laptops just yet. Microsoft’s AI features and Copilot assistant require certain specs to run, namely a powerful neural processing unit (NPU), 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Currently, the cheapest Copilot+ AI PCs will run you about $700, so if you’re willing to pay more for those perks, check out our best laptops guide for more options.

    If you’re looking for either a gaming laptop or a “Windows on Arm” laptop, both categories will require you to spend more money than we’re discussing here.

    Best cheap Windows laptops for 2025

    The cheap Windows laptop market moves fast, and — unlike nearly all of our other buying guides — we haven’t necessarily tested each specific configuration listed below. However, the combination of these technical specifications and familiar brands represent exactly the sort of entry-level laptops we’d recommend to shoppers in this price range based on our thorough research and expert knowledge.

    acer

    Screen size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: FHD | RAM: 8GB | Drive capacity: 128GB | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Max battery life: Up to 11 hours | Refresh rate: 60Hz

    We’ve tested various versions of the Acer Aspire in the past and found them all to be solid, reliable laptops. This model runs on a Ryzen 3 processor, supports Wi-Fi 6 and its webcam uses noise-reduction technology to improve low-light image quality. It also has improved thermal management, so you can work for longer without any serious slow-downs or heat-ups.

    $326 at Amazon

    Image for the small product module

    Acer

    Screen size: 14 inches | Resolution: WUXGA (1920 x 1200) | RAM: 8GB | Drive capacity: 512GB | Weight: Not listed | Max battery life: Up to 10 hours | Refresh rate: Not listed

    On the higher end of the affordable price spectrum, this version of the Aspire 5 has a healthy amount of memory and SSD storage, plus a 14-inch IPS display. Its 1080p webcam uses the same noise-reduction technology found in other Acer laptops to improve low-light image quality, and it can employ Acer PurifiedView and AI features to help you put your best face forward on video calls and live streams.

    $489 at Amazon

    Image for the small product module

    Lenovo

    Screen size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: FHD | RAM: 24GB | Drive capacity: 1TB | Weight: 3.74 pounds | Max battery life: Up to 12 hours | Refresh rate: 60Hz

    Lenovo’s IdeaPad series offers Windows laptops and Chromebooks, and this model gives you a big 1TB SSD and an engrossing 15.6-inch FHD screen surrounded by ultra-thin bezels. You also have a variety of ports to use as well, including two USB-A, one USB-C and one HDMI port. There’s even an SD card reader for those who still need one to transfer photos and other media.

    $498 at Amazon

    Image for the small product module

    HP

    Screen size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: HD | RAM: 16GB | Drive capacity: 1TB | Weight: 3.7 pounds | Max battery life: Up to 11 hours | Refresh rate: 60Hz

    This HP Pavilion laptop includes a number pad on the keyboard, an HD touchscreen and 1TB of onboard storage. The screen has an anti-glare coating, so it should be easier to see even in direct sunlight, and the built-in webcam clocks in at 720p.

    $409 at Amazon

    Image for the small product module

    Dell

    Screen size: 15.6 inches | Resolution: FHD | RAM: 32GB | Drive capacity: 1TB | Weight: 3.79 pounds | Max battery life: Up to 11 hours | Refresh rate: 60Hz

    This 15-inch Dell laptop runs on an Intel Core i5 processor and has plenty of RAM and storage to keep you going for years to come. It also includes a number pad on its keyboard, plus an HDMI port and an SD card reader among its other connections.

    $526 at Amazon

    What to know about the budget Windows laptop market

    The best cheap laptop models change all the time. Unlike more expensive, flagship machines, these notebooks can be updated a couple times each year. That can make it hard to track down a specific model at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart or any other retailer. Also, we’ve seen prices vary widely depending on the configuration and retailer you’re looking at.

    You can ensure you’re getting a quality laptop by doing a few things. First and foremost, make sure you get a machine that follows the recommended specs we list above. Also, make sure you’re buying from a reputable retailer, including big-box stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Costco, online shops like Amazon or direct manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo and others. If you have a physical store near you (likely a Best Buy in the US), it’s never a bad idea to go play around with some laptops in person before choosing one.

    If you decide to shop online from the likes of Amazon or Walmart, double check the seller of the laptop you’re considering. For example, many items on Amazon are “shipped and sold” by Amazon and those are typically the best options. You’ll see that information on Amazon on the right sidebar on a product page, under the Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons. Third-party sellers are common in the affordable laptop space. Amazon sometimes classifies laptop manufacturers as third-party sellers, so you may see a laptop shipped and sold by HP or Dell — that’s a good thing, since it’s coming directly from the manufacturer.

    However, there are other third-party electronics sellers out there. We recommend clicking on the third-party seller’s name on Amazon or Walmart (yes, Walmart has them, too) to see how much positive feedback and how many five-star ratings they’ve received from buyers.

    What about Chromebooks and tablets?

    You may be inclined to recommend a Chromebook or a tablet to anyone considering a budget Windows laptop computer. Those instincts aren’t wrong, but Chromebooks and tablets aren’t the best buy for everyone. Tablets have the most portability, but they will only work for the most mobile-competent users like kids who have been grabbing smartphones out of their parents’ hands since they’ve been dexterous enough to do so. Tablets can also be just as expensive as some of the cheapest Windows laptops, and that’s without a mouse or keyboard.

    Chromebooks are a good alternative for those that basically live in a browser, the trade-off being you must give up the “traditional desktop.” And Chrome OS is a more limited operating system than Windows when it comes to the programs you can install and run.

    What Windows laptops do well

    What can you realistically accomplish on a cheap Windows laptop? Quite a bit, especially if you’re doing one thing (or a limited number of things) at a time. They’re great for everyday tasks like web browsing, checking email, video streaming and more. All of those things can be done on Chromebooks as well, but Windows laptops have a big advantage in Microsoft Office. While yes, there is a browser based version, the native, desktop apps are considered a must have for many and will run smoothly on even the most bare-bones budget laptop. The only caveat is that you may run into some slowdown on low-powered devices if you’re multitasking or working with large data sets in Excel or a lot of photos and graphics in Powerpoint.

    When it comes to specs, a bright spot for Windows laptops is storage. Even the most affordable devices tend to have at least a 128GB solid state drive. That will come in handy if you prefer to keep your most important files saved locally on your laptop’s hard drive. In contrast, cheaper Chromebooks often have less storage because they’re built on the assumption that you’ll save all of your documents in the cloud. Not only is that less convenient when you need to work offline, but it also limits the size of programs and files that you can download. So, Chromebooks aren’t the best for hoarding Netflix shows before a long trip or for use as a gaming laptop.

    Windows also has thousands of apps that you can download from its app store. Chromebooks have some Chrome apps, numerous browser extensions and the ability to download Android apps, but quality control is… inconsistent. Android apps, in particular, often haven’t been optimized for Chrome OS, which makes for a wonky user experience. Windows may not have as many apps as Android, but at least the experience is fairly standard across the board.

    Windows also gives you the ability to download and use programs from other sources, like direct from the developer. You can run things like Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs and programs like GIMP, Audacity and ClipMate on a Windows device, which just isn’t possible on Chrome OS. Chromebooks limit you to the apps and programs in The Play Store and the Chrome Extensions store, reducing any others to unusable, space-sucking icons in your Downloads folder.

    [ad_2]

    Valentina Palladino

    Source link

  • Walmart’s CEO Just Gave a Sobering Prediction About AI. The Time to Prepare Is Now

    [ad_1]

    Doug McMillon, as the CEO of Walmart, runs the largest private employer in the United States. When he talks about the future of work, it isn’t theory—it’s the lived reality of millions of families. In fact, more than 2.1 million people around the world get a paycheck from Walmart. That’s why it matters that, speaking at a workforce conference in Bentonville last week, Walmart’s CEO didn’t mince words about artificial intelligence.

    “It’s very clear that AI is going to change literally every job,” McMillon said, according to The Wall Street Journal. “Maybe there’s a job in the world that AI won’t change, but I haven’t thought of it.”

    Look, a lot of people have predicted that AI will change the way we work in the future. For that matter, people are predicting that AI will change the way we do pretty much everything. It’s already changing the way we look for and process information. And it’s having a real impact on creative work, from generating ideas to editing photos.

    But this is different. This isn’t some kind of edge case where AI is doing something that benefits niche work. This is a sober assessment from someone who thinks about the livelihoods of millions of people, from truck drivers to warehouse workers and store managers.

    So far, much of the AI conversation around work has been about replacing humans with robots or computers capable of doing everything from menial tasks to coding. The pitch is that companies will save extraordinary costs as humans are replaced with AI that can do more work, faster, and cheaper.

    The fear among many employees is that automation will come for knowledge work the same way robots came for manufacturing. McMillon’s warning is different: AI isn’t confined to Silicon Valley jobs. It’s coming for the retail floor, the supply chain, the back office, and the call center.

    For example, AI can already predict what items a store will sell and when, automatically adjusting orders. That doesn’t eliminate the need for employees—but it will definitely change what their job looks like.

    McMillon also made another point: Walmart’s overall headcount will likely stay flat, even as its revenue grows. That—if you think about it—isn’t just surprising, it’s incredibly revealing. The assumption is that AI equals fewer jobs. Instead, Walmart expects them to be different.

    To make that happen, the company is mapping which roles will shrink, which will grow, and which will stay stable. The strategy is to invest in reskilling so workers can move into the new jobs AI creates. “We’ve got to create the opportunity for everybody to make it to the other side,” McMillon said.

    This is the part of the warning many leaders ignore. Pretending AI won’t affect your workforce is irresponsible. Pretending AI only means job cuts is short-sighted. The challenge is to figure out what your workforce looks like and what you need to do to make the transition.

    There are a few reasons that Walmart’s perspective matters. The obvious one is because it’s the largest private employer in the world. It is the company that, single-handedly, affects the greatest number of people when it makes a change to its workforce. That’s why AI isn’t just a technology problem; it’s a leadership problem.

    It’s one thing for McMillon to say “AI will change every job.” It’s another thing to commit that Walmart will still employ millions of people, even if the jobs look different. He’s saying the responsibility to guide workers through change rests squarely on leaders’ shoulders. That’s a message worth hearing far beyond the company’s Bentonville headquarters.

    AI is often pitched as a productivity story. That’s true, but the bigger story is about people. Technology that changes “literally every job” also changes lives, families, and communities. The ripple effect is enormous when you’re a company the size of Walmart.

    By the way, Walmart isn’t perfect, but its approach offers a model. Instead of framing AI as cost-cutting, it’s framing AI as a transformation challenge. That may seem like semantics, but reframing the conversation makes all the difference between a fearful workforce and a resilient one.

    McMillon’s prediction is sobering precisely because it’s credible. He isn’t selling software or trying to impress investors. He’s planning for how millions of his own employees will navigate the AI future.

    If you’re leading a business—whether that’s 20 people or 20,000—the message is pretty clear. AI is going to change every job. Your job is to be thinking hard about what that means for your company. It means thinking about how it will impact your people and come up with a plan.

    It seems like almost everyone agrees that AI will change almost everything about the way we all work. The only question is whether you’ll help your people prepare or leave them to figure it out on their own. By then, it will be too late. That’s why every leader should start now.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    [ad_2]

    Jason Aten

    Source link

  • Some Walmart meatball meals may be contaminated with listeria linked to deadly outbreak, USDA says

    [ad_1]

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning consumers not to eat certain ready-to-eat meatball pasta meals sold at Walmart stores because they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria previously linked to a deadly outbreak tied to pre-made chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals.

    In an announcement Thursday, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce sold in refrigerated 12-ounce clear plastic trays. The products have best-by dates of Sept. 22 through Oct. 1 and may still be in consumers’ refrigerators.

    The affected meals contain the establishment numbers “EST. 50784” and “EST. 47718” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label. They were sent to Walmart stores nationwide.

    This image provided by U.S. Agriculture Department shows Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce.

    U.S. Agriculture Department via AP


    “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have removed this product from our impacted stores and we are working with the supplier to investigate,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News on Friday. 

    There have been no reported illness complaints for the product in question, and consumers should discard the meals if they have them and can receive a full refund at any Walmart store. 

    No recall has been issued, but FreshRealm, a large food producer that distributed the products, said they advised Walmart this week to pull the meals from store shelves. Additional products may be identified, according to the FSIS. Walmart officials said they put a stop to sales and removed the products from stores.

    The meals may be contaminated with the same strain of listeria that caused an outbreak tied to chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger stores. Four people were killed and at least 20 were sickened in the outbreak, which federal health officials updated on Friday evening. The outbreak led to a large recall this summer.

    “FreshRealm held beef meatball marinara linguine meals after they tested positive for the outbreak strain,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its update Friday. “Pasta that went into the beef meatball marinara linguine meals has tested positive for Listeria, but additional information is pending to determine if the samples taken from the pre-cooked pasta is the same strain making people sick. Do not eat affected foods, return them or throw them out.”

    FreshRealm conducted tests that detected the listeria in linguine used in the meatball dish, company officials said. The strain matched the listeria identified in the chicken fettuccine Alfredo outbreak, the company said.

    “We have long maintained that the source of the listeria was likely an ingredient supplied by a third party,” the company said in a statement.

    The pasta came from Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California. The company did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press.

    Listeria infections can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those who are pregnant or their newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, according to the CDC.

    About 1,600 people get sick each year from listeria infections and about 260 die, the CDC says. Federal officials in December said they were revamping protocols to prevent listeria infections after several high-profile outbreaks, including one linked to Boar’s Head deli meats that led to 10 deaths and more than 60 illnesses last year. 

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Walmart Heir Rob Walton Donates $115M to ASU to Establish Conservation School

    [ad_1]

    Rob Walton served as Walmart’s chairman for more than two decades. Photo by Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images

    Rob Walton, son of Walmart founder Sam Walton and the former chairman of the retail giant, is donating $115 million to Arizona State University (ASU), the largest donation in the institution’s 140-year history. The funds will support a new school dedicated to conservation and offering training, educational and career opportunities. “Students bring fresh ideas, energy and innovation,” said Walton in a statement. “By getting involved now—through research, advocacy or fieldwork—they gain the skills to drive real change.”

    The donation will establish the Rob Walton School of Conservation Future within ASU’s newly renamed Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Walton’s gift will also fund the school’s chair, create three professorships in research and education, and launch a scholarship fund.

    Set to open by the end of the year, the school will provide conservation training programs for high school students, workers and executives, issue certificates for organizations and government agencies, and expand workforce opportunities in the field. Over time, it will add graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

    “Through its central mission of transforming conservation education for a thriving planetary future, this new academic entity is not just preserving ecosystems—it is developing adaptive solutions to ensure sustainable pathways for future generations,” said Peter Schlosser, vice president of ASU’s Global Futures College, in a statement.

    The Walton family’s philanthropic legacy

    Walton, 80, has an estimated net worth of $123.1 billion. He served as chairman of the Arkansas-based retailer from 1992 to 2015, during which he pursued corporate conservation strategies, including working with Conservation International on sustainability goals such as reducing waste across Walmart’s global operations.

    This isn’t Walton’s first conservation-related gift to ASU. In 2012, Walton and his wife, Melani, donated $27.5 million to advance sustainability initiatives, a figure that grew to $31.8 million by 2019. ASU later named a planetary health facility in their honor.

    Walton’s philanthropy is part of a broader family tradition. The Walton family, the wealthiest in America, channels much of its giving through the Walton Family Foundation, created by Sam Walton in the 1980s. The foundation focuses on education, environmental programs and regional development in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta, distributing nearly $550 million in grants last year.

    His siblings, both also centibillionaires, have made major philanthropic moves as well. Jim Walton made headlines in 2019 with a $1.2 billion Walmart stock donation, the largest gift of that year. Alice Walton has given more than $1.5 billion to the arts and founded institutions such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

    Walmart Heir Rob Walton Donates $115M to ASU to Establish Conservation School

    [ad_2]

    Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

    Source link

  • Today’s best iPad deals include a record-low price on the latest iPad Air M3

    [ad_1]

    Apple’s four iPad models each have their value — the mini is super portable, the standard model with the A16 chip is ideal for casual use while the Pros can handle complex tasks better than some laptops. The iPad Air falls somewhere in between, offering a balance between power and price. But these popular tablets don’t come cheap, which is why we keep track of sale prices on iPads and round them up each week. We’ve reviewed every current model so if you want to check out our thoughts before you buy, you can. Here are the best iPad deals you can get right now, along with discounts on other Apple gear we recommend.

    Best iPad deals

    Apple

    The latest iPad Air is a relatively minor update; the only major addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend the Air over the base model in our iPad buying guide: Its display is more color-rich and better at fending off glare, its speakers are more robust, it works with Apple’s best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead. (Though both have most of the same benefits released with iPadOS 26.) This $150 discount matches an all-time low and applies to several color and storage configurations. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

    $449 at Amazon

    Apple iPad (A16) for $299 ($50 off): The most recent entry-level iPad comes with a faster A16 chip, 2GB more RAM and 128GB of storage by default. It earned a score of 84 in our review — if you only need a tablet for roaming the internet, watching shows and doing some lighter productivity tasks, it should do the job. With the new iPadOS 26 update, it also has most of the same multitasking features available with the more expensive models. We’ve seen this price for most of the past several months, but it’s still a bit cheaper than buying direct from Apple. Also at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Apple iPad Air (13-inch, M3) for $649 ($150 off): Engadget’s Nate Ingraham gave the 13-inch iPad Air a score of 89 when it was released in March. It has a bigger and slightly brighter display than its 11-inch counterpart; otherwise, the two slates are the same. If you plan to keep your iPad hooked up to a keyboard, the extra screen space is lovely for taking in movies and multitasking for work. This is another all-time low, and it applies to several color options and storage configs. Also at Walmart.

    Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M4) for $899 ($100 off): The iPad Pro is much more tablet than most people need, but it’s the ultimate iPad for those who can stomach its price tag. It’s wonderfully thin, its OLED display is one of the best we’ve seen on a consumer device and its M4 chip can handle virtually anything you’d ever do on an iPad. It’s also the only Apple tablet with Face ID and it has a better speaker setup than the iPad Air. We gave it a score of 84 in our review, with the only real drawback being its price. Also at Best Buy, Target and B&H.

    The 13-inch model is on sale for $1,099 as well, a $200 discount, but be warned: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple could release updated iPad Pros as soon as October. So if you can hold out, you probably should.

    Best Apple deals

    Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) for $389 ($10 off): The latest Apple Watches only hit the market last week, but Amazon is already offering a $10 discount on certain colorways. It doesn’t show up as a percentage off, but you’ll see some models listed at $389, while others show up at the full price of $399. If you’re new to Apple’s wearables or are ready to upgrade from a Series 9 or older, this is a good model to grab. If you’re coming from a Series 10, however, there’s not much need to upgrade as the only major change from last year’s model is a slightly larger battery and a tougher screen.

    Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) for $240 ($9 off): You’ll see a similar stealth discount on Apple’s newest budget model, the SE 3 at Amazon. It goes for $249 regularly. Apple gave this model some badly needed updates from its predecessor, including a faster charging battery, better sensors and the same processor that you’ll find in the new Apple Watch Series 11.

    Apple MagSafe charger (25W, 2m) for $35 ($14 off): Here’s a record-low price on Apple’s fasted wireless charging puck. It’ll work with any iPhone as long it’s an iPhone 8 or newer, but if you have an iPhone 16 or 17, this cable can charge your device at 25W when paired with 30W power adapter. Also at Best Buy. The one-meter model is on sale at Walmart for $27.30.

    Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $799 ($200 off): Apple’s latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. It’s not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it’s a bit faster. (Though we’d still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This discount ties an all-time low for base config with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Models with more memory or storage are also $200 off. Also at Best Buy.

    Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $999 ($200 off): The 15-inch MacBook Air is nearly identical to the smaller version but has better speakers and a more spacious trackpad alongside its roomier display. Outside of one very brief drop around $980 in June, this ties a record low for the base model. Other configs are similarly discounted if you need more power. Also at B&H and Best Buy.

    Apple Mac mini (M4, 16GB/256GB) for $499 ($100 off): The newest version of Apple’s tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard (finally), two front-facing USB-C ports (finally!), an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. It doesn’t have any USB-A ports, however. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90. This deal is for the entry-level version with a base M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD — we’ve seen it fall as low as $469 in the past, but this is still a decent savings. Also at Best Buy, Walmart and B&H.

    Apple Mac mini (M4, 16GB/512GB) for $689 ($110 off): If you want your tiny Apple desktop to have a little bit more storage capacity, you may want to spring for the 512GB model. It’s currently $110 off at Amazon and B&H Photo. The model with 24GB of RAM is down to $904 after a $95 discount.

    Apple AirTags (4-pack) for $75 ($24 off): We may see an updated model by the end of 2025, but the current AirTags are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone users thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultrawide band features that make it easy to locate things that are close by. Just note that you’ll need a separate AirTag holder to attach them to your keys, wallet or bag. This isn’t a great deal for a four-pack — the bundle was as low as $65 in July — but it’s still a bit lower than its list price. Also at Walmart.

    Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off): The highest-end option in Apple’s confusing stylus lineup, the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apple’s double tap and squeeze gestures, among other perks. It’s a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that it’s only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We’ve seen this deal fairly often over the year, but it’s a solid discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

    Apple 35W Dual USB-C Port adapter for $39 ($20 off): It’s always good to have a few extra ports around. This is the adapter that ships with the M4 with 10‑core GPU MacBook Air, and it can quickly charge iPads, iPhones and anything else powered by USB-C, too. Walmart is also selling Apple’s 2-meter fast charge cable for $23 (a $6 discount).

    Read more Apple coverage:

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

    [ad_2]

    Valentina Palladino,Amy Skorheim,Jeff Dunn

    Source link

  • Philips 75″ Class 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Google Smart LED TV for $398 at Walmart

    [ad_1]

    Philips 75″ Class 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Google Smart LED TV for $398

    This article contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

    Walmart has the Philips 75″ Class 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Google Smart LED TV (75PUL7552/F7) on sale for just $398. Shipping is free.

    BUY NOW

    The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card earns 6% at select merchants, including Walmart.

    Specs:

    • Resolution: 3840 x 2160p
    • Refresh Rate: 60Hz Native
    • Response Time: 9.5ms (typical)
    • High Dynamic Range Format: HDR10
    • Sound Technology: Dolby Digital
    • Smart Platform: Google TV
    • VESA Mounting Pattern: 400 x 200
    • Ports:

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking a link, I may earn some beer 🍺money, which I promise to drink responsibly. When applicable, you should always go through shopping portals to earn cashback. But when that’s not an option, your support for the site is always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!

    [ad_2]

    DDG

    Source link

  • Trial set in Decatur Walmart parking lot killing after judge rules defendant competent

    [ad_1]

    Sep. 23—The trial of a Huntsville man accused of killing a woman in a Decatur Walmart parking lot in 2022 is scheduled to move forward in November after his attorney declined to challenge the state’s finding that he is competent to stand trial at a hearing Monday in Morgan County Circuit Court.

    Preston Lamar Nelson Jr., 36, appeared in court shackled and dressed in black-and-white jail clothing, standing beside his court-appointed attorney, Patrick Caver of Hartselle. Judge Charles Elliott said the hearing centered on Nelson’s competency, citing three reports in the case — one from June 2023, another on May 2 of this year, and the most recent filed electronically on Aug. 22. When asked if the defense had anything to present, Caver said no.

    “I find that you are competent to stand trial in this case,” Elliott told Nelson. “You can still reserve any defenses that you wish to for trial, but for purposes of the competency hearing, I find you competent to stand trial.”

    The Alabama Department of Mental Health determined last month that Nelson was competent and returned him to Morgan County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

    In a motion filed in August for a subsequent competency hearing, Caver said he had received a forensic evaluation from Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility. A state psychiatrist concluded Nelson was competent to stand trial and no longer posed a substantial threat of harm to himself or others. While Monday’s hearing was originally scheduled to contest those findings, Caver ultimately accepted them.

    Circuit Judge Stephen Brown first ordered a competency test for Nelson in January 2023, ruling the examination be conducted on an outpatient basis at a facility designated by the commissioner of the Department of Mental Health.

    Nelson was charged with murder on Aug. 26, 2022, a day after police said he intentionally accelerated his vehicle in reverse and struck Huntsville resident Sherry Sain, 64, as she walked in the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1203 Sixth Ave. S.E.

    In a September 2022 motion, Caver requested a court-ordered mental examination, writing that his client had very limited memory of the night Sain was killed and was experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations. Caver also said Nelson had a history of mental health issues dating back to his teenage years.

    Witnesses told police Nelson had parked his Mercury Grand Prix in a handicapped space before accelerating in reverse and pinning Sain against another vehicle. One witness said Nelson returned to her body.

    “He got out of the car and came running back up here, kneels down beside (Sain) and takes his hands and rakes her blood all over his face,” the witness said. “It was unreal, the look in his eyes. His eyes were so huge.”

    Nelson attempted to drive away, but his vehicle stalled. Bystanders confronted him, telling him he had killed someone, according to witnesses. A police affidavit said Nelson also tried to flee when officers arrived, but he was detained.

    Elliott said Nelson’s jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 17, with a settlement conference set for Oct. 30.

    — wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • ‘SHE CALLED U WHAT????’: California man finds limited edition Lorde vinyl at Walmart. Then the cashier’s reaction at check-out makes his jaw drop

    [ad_1]

    A California man has gone viral after sharing a story about what happened when he bought the limited edition Lorde vinyl at Walmart.

    When Matthew Forbes (@matthewdforbes) picked up the new record in the story, he knew exactly what was about to happen. His friend opened the vinyl and discovered the now-infamous insert. “And we’re dying laughing,” he said. “Funniest thing ever.”

    He continued, “We keep walking around. Run into some friends, and we show it to them, and they’re like, ‘Ah, funny.’ And then we get to the checkout.”

    He describes the cashier as a “nice older lady,” noting that “she’s not a vibe, but she was nice.” As she started scanning everything, Forbes reports that “everything is going smoothly”—that is, until she gets to the vinyl. As she goes to open it, Forbes shared that he “immediately looked away.”

    “I could not watch because I knew what she was about to find,” he said. “And she opens it, and all she says is ‘Jesus’. And I’m already laughing, already dying. I can’t look her straight in the face. At this point, I’m on the floor crying.”

    Due to scanning issues, she scans another vinyl and says that they can take the Lorde one and not return it.

    “And she hands it to me, and she goes, ‘Here you go, dirty boy.’ Huh? What the [expletive]?” Forbes said. “And then I’m like, ‘Thank you so much. Have a good night,’ in tears still because of what is happening. And on our way out, my friend, she’s behind me. She goes, ‘Sorry about all that.’ This cashier goes, ‘It’s all right. I see one every day.’

    In the video description, he adds, “Never walking into a Walmart ever again.”

    For the most part, commenters were curious about what the insert was—but those who did get it found it hilarious.

    “She’s funny u just can’t handle her immense aura,” one wrote.

    “I immediately knew when he mentioned ‘Lorde’ and ‘vinyl’,” another added.

    While a third said, “This is hilarious thank you for experiencing this and telling me so I didn’t have to.”

    @matthewdforbes never walking in to a @Walmart ever again #walmart #wtf #fyp #storytime #putafingerdown ♬ original sound – Matthew

    What is the Lorde vinyl insert?

    Given her latest album is entitled “Virgin,” it’s fair to say that Lorde’s latest work is very sexually charged. Physical versions of the album, especially, are attracting even more attention due to the insert she included.

    In essence, the vinyl features an image of Lorde wearing clear bottoms that expose her pubic area, which fans have dubbed the “Lordeussy.” So, it’s easy to see why this might have come as a shock to the cashier.

    Moreover, this isn’t the only x-rated component of the album. The album cover itself is an X-ray of her pelvic area with unzipped jeans. In the X-ray, you can also see an inserted IUD.

    Forbes didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment and Instagram direct message. Walmart didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via contact form.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.

    [ad_2]

    Charlotte Colombo

    Source link

  • $50K winning scratch-off ticket sold at Ohio Walmart

    [ad_1]

    A $50,000 scratch-off lottery ticket was recently bought at an Ohio Walmart.

    [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

    A man won $50,000 on the Ohio Lottery’s Billion scratch-off, according to the Ohio Lottery.

    TRENDING STORIES:

    Advertisement

    Advertisement

    The winning ticket was sold at a Chardon Walmart.

    The lucky man claimed one of the game’s third-tier $50,000 prizes.

    After federal and state tax withholdings, he will receive approximately $36,000, the Ohio Lottery said.

    Billion has 115 prizes of $50,000 remaining, including a $1 million a year-for-life prize.

    The winner beat the odds of 1 in over 99,000 to win.

    [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

    [ad_2]
    Source link

  • Growing number of affluent consumers are shopping at discount stores. Here’s why.

    [ad_1]

    Not only low-income shoppers are hunting for deals these days. Better off consumers are also flocking to discount stores to save a few bucks. 

    Since 2021, budget retailers have seen a large influx of more affluent shoppers, according to data from GlobalData Retail. This year, nearly 28% of high-income people have shopped at discount chains Aldi, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five Below, Family Dollar, Lidl, Ollie’s, PopShelf or Walmart, up from around 20% four years ago, the research and consulting firm found.

    A key catalyst for the shift is one that has plagued Americans up and down the income ladder in recent years, experts told CBS MoneyWatch: inflation. 

    Emerging from the pandemic, many middle- and even upper-income consumers had extra savings after receiving federal stimulus checks and because they chopped their spending on categories like travel and dining out, said Neil Saunders, managing director and retail analyst at GlobalData. 

    But since then, the financial cushion wealthier consumers once enjoyed has shrunk while the cost of living has risen, leading many to seek out more affordable stores.

    “They don’t like the fact that more and more of their money is absorbed by essentials and the basics of life,” Saunders told CBS MoneyWatch. “So what has happened is they have sought out better value for money, and they’ve especially done that in grocery and household essentials.”

    GlobalData defines middle-income as households with annual income of $56,501 to $169,750, while high-income households are those earning more $169,751. The market research firm taps a range of data sources — including consumer surveys, credit card spending and retailer data — to build a national picture of the retail landscape.

    The migration of higher income consumers to discount retailers has “accelerated since the pandemic, and especially since the bout of inflation that started in 2021,” added Saunders, noting that a similar trend followed the 2008 financial crisis. 

    One of the biggest winners of this trend has been Walmart, according to Saunders. More than 17% of Americans earning six figures today shop at the Arkansas-based company, the world’s biggest retailer, up from less than 15% in 2021, GlobalData found. 

    To be sure, wealthier consumers don’t face the same financial constraints as low-income people. But high- and middle-income Americans are also looking for ways to beat inflation and stretch their dollar, experts said. 

    Inflation is well below its 2022 peak, but remains sticky for food and other essentials. Will Auchincloss, an Americas retail sector partner at EY Parthenon, told CBS MoneyWatch that elevated prices for many goods and services are forcing consumers across the income spectrum to “muscle through.” 

    Inflation isn’t the only thing driving more people to discount retailers. Better brand selection and a more diverse assortment of products has made budget chains more appealing to a wider audience, Saunders said, noting that retailers like Walmart and Aldi are actively courting more upscale shoppers. 

    “One of the things Walmart has been doing is refurbishing a lot of its stores, putting a bit more effort into presentation, because it knows that higher-income consumers expect a nicer experience,” he said. “If you provide that, the lower-income consumers like it, too.”

    Walmart remodels around 650 stores nationwide on an annual basis, according to a company spokesperson. The upgrades typically include updated layouts, newly painted exteriors and interiors, interactive displays, new signage and checkouts, and interactive displays — reminiscent what you might see in an IKEA store — that allow customers to touch and feel merchandise. 

    The company has also expanded its brand selections to include manufacturers like Apple and Dell, as well as fashion brands like Scoop and Free Assembly, a Walmart spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. 

    Aldi, which did not respond to CBS MoneyWatch’s request for comment, has also tried make its stores more appealing. 

    “A lot of their new stores are very bright, they’re very clean, they’re very shoppable,” Saunders said. 

    “This isn’t about bargain-basement value,” he added. “This is about great prices, very low prices, but in a pleasant and a very aesthetically pleasing shopping environment.”

    Mary Cunningham

    Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. Before joining the business and finance vertical, she worked at “60 Minutes,” CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • The Limited Edition Lee x Crayola Back-to-School Collection Is Designed for ’90s Babies With Its Nostalgic Style

    [ad_1]

    The Lee x Crayola Ecru Crop Chore Jacket is the item I wanted most from the collection. While I haven’t gotten a ton of wear out of it yet (it’s still very much summer in Los Angeles), I know it’s a piece I can throw on over and over again once the weather cools down. This jacket—which is also available in a longer men’s style—is constructed from cotton with a little bit of stretch, so it’s flexible against the body and doesn’t make you feel restricted despite its cropped fit. I love it for its details, including the green, yellow, red, and blue tack buttons on the front breast pockets. 

    Sizes Available: XS-XL
    Materials: Cotton, spandex
    Colors: 1

    [ad_2]

    Jessie Quinn

    Source link

  • I Found a Beast Blender Dupe for Way, Way Cheaper—It’s Stunning & Dishwasher-Safe

    [ad_1]

    The Thyme & Table Countertop Blender Duo comes with both the full-size blender and a single-serve blending cup that you can easily take on-the-go as you head out for your busy day. This set comes in three chic colors, including cream, navy, and black, and features excellent blending power to make smoothies, soups, sauces, blended cocktails, and more. 

    Similar to Ninja blenders, this blender duo has a secure lock technology that will prevent you from operating it if the pitcher or cup isn’t fully locked in place. It also has a suction cup base that secures to countertops (it stuck to my 1960s-era tile perfectly) and a 6-point stainless steel blade system that chops and blends ingredients with ease. I also love that the cup comes with a lid and straw, so you don’t have to worry about spilling your smoothie all over your car on the way to work or the gym. 

    Colors: 3
    Size: 57-ounce pitcher, 25-ounce blending cup
    Modes: Low, medium, high, pulse
    Presets: Smoothie, ice crush, milkshake

    [ad_2]

    Jessie Quinn

    Source link

  • ‘We’re not gonna be able to price match’: Chicago woman blindsided by $7 rhinestones at Walmart. Then cashier tells her shocking news about pricetags

    [ad_1]

    A woman shopping at Walmart was flabbergasted when she the rhinestones she was getting had a 154% price increase. This was without the company updating the price tags. 

    In a video with over 279,000 views, @taylorpwnz discussed a recent trip to Walmart. It ended with her spending much more than she thought she would.

    “I just went to Walmart to get rhinestones,” she said. “This tiny [container] of rhinestones was [supposed to be] $2.98. I get to the cash register and it rings up as $7.50. So I swiftly left and went back to the crafting aisle. I took a picture of the price, and I brought it back up front.” 

    When she showed an employee her findings, she was shocked by his response. The Walmart employee said they would “honor” the pricing, but that it would be changing to $7.50 in the future. She asked the employee what he meant. He mentioned the fact that Walmart was introducing digital price tags to their store, a plan which is coming to 2,300 stores in 2026. The employee explained that the “price can change at any time.

    “We’re not gonna be able to price match any pictures you provide us,” he purportedly told her.

    “Robbery, straight robbery,”  @taylorpwnz added. “I’m not paying $7 for cheap [expletive] rhinestones.”

    A Walmart boycott

    Walmart used to be known as an affordable grocery store for everyday consumers. However, more people have felt deterred by the company’s recent policy changes.

    Digital price tags—which make it significantly easier to adjust prices at a moment’s notice— pose a potential risk to consumers who want a consistent shopping experience. Despite their functionality, there’s reasonable worry. A digital pricing system could make it easier to hike up prices on any given day. This is instead of having to deliberately change prices. Fluctuating food costs could change at a moment’s notice with the new system, which is currently being tested at a Walmart in Texas. 

    Many customers have noticed ‘shrinkflation‘ from the company or general high prices. Others are worried that simple products like laundry detergent will get locked in anti-theft cases in stores across the country. Employees at certain locations have already started locking basic goods like baby formula. 

    All of these things have started to irk some customers. Many want to “cancel Walmart,” as one TikTok commenter put it. 

    Another added, “Dynamic pricing will be the death of stores. No one wants to shop [go up] to the register [and then have their items double in price]. We are done with these games and [Walmart] blaming [their] greed on everything else.”

    @taylorpwnz

    Dynamic pricing can go to ? ? I was never a fan of Walmart to begin with but I’ll be avoiding it like the plague now!!

    ♬ original sound – taylorpwnz

    The Mary Sue has reached out to Walmart via its press email and digital creator @taylorpwnz for more information.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Rachel Joy Thomas

    [ad_2]

    Rachel Joy Thomas

    Source link

  • You Can Now Buy Verified (& Discounted) Labubus at Walmart—Here’s How to Cop the Popular Plushies Online

    [ad_1]

    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    I feel super uncool admitting that I still don’t own a Labubu—or even an unofficial version (AKA a Lafufu). You’d think I’d be tapped in as a shopping editor and Gen Z-millennial cusper, but I have yet to go down the rabbit hole. However, what I do know about the cute yet creepy plushies—which launched into stardom in early 2024 and have tons of celebrity fans (like Lisa from BLACKPINK, Naomi Osaka, and Lady Gaga, among others)—is that there’s a whole art to buying them online. While Pop Mart is most shoppers’ go-to for copping these doll toys, the latest and greatest in the Labubu universe is that Walmart now sells them, thanks to its partnership with online marketplace and clothing reseller StockX.

    This is amazing news for collectors who want to ensure they’re grabbing legitimate Labubus. All of the Pop Mart Labubus on Walmart’s website come verified by StockX, are supported by the online marketplace’s buyer promise (“Shop with confidence knowing every purchase is Verified by StockX. All purchases are backed by StockX’s Buyer Promise.”), and are delivered brand new with tags. Just note that these little creatures are final sale items and are therefore ineligible for returns. As for shipping, products shipped from StockX are part of Walmart’s Xpress Ship program, which sends orders out within one business day. Shipping fees are included in the add-to-cart price for StockX purchases, as well. All of these safeguards ensure shoppers get authenticated Labubus in a jiffy.

    Buy Labubus Online at Walmart

    What kinds of Labubus can you scoop up at Walmart? You’ll find everything from regular pendants to rare secret versions. The online marketplace even stocked a variety of sealed cases (a set of six blind boxes) at Walmart, for all the hardcore collectors or shoppers who are looking for the perfect gift for their Labubu-obsessed friend.

    Shop Labubu Single Blind Boxes

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Big into Energy Series Vinyl Plush Pendant Single Blind Box

    On Sale 12% off

    The best part of StockX selling Labubus on Walmart’s website is that some offerings are discounted. And while 12% might seem a little meager, anything helps when it comes to collecting blind boxes. This one is from the Big into Energy series.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Exciting Macaron Vinyl Plush Pendant Single Blind Box

    On Sale 14% off

    This Labubu is from the Exciting Macaron family. If you’re the kind of person who loves surprises, stock up on these single blind boxes. You truly don’t know what you’re going to get until you rip open the packaging.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Single Blind Box

    So you want a fluffy, colorful Labubu? Unbox one of the seven Labubus from the Have a Seat line. Who knows, you might even get lucky with a secret Labubu!

    Shop Labubu Pendants

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Big into Energy Series ID (Secret Version) Vinyl Plush Pendant

    On Sale 14% off

    This gray Labubu’s price tag might make your eyes pop out, but that’s because it’s a secret version pendant. If you really want to go all out on a gift for your Labubu-loving friend, consider this rarer plushie.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu Happy Halloween Party Series-Sitting Pumpkin Vinyl Plush Pendant

    On Sale 22% off

    Labubu releases seasonal dolls, too, including this Halloween-themed doll. Ring in fall and spooky season with this unique (and marked-down) option.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Big into Energy Series Loyalty Vinyl Plush Pendant

    For those who want to make their Labubu’s presence known on their bag or belt loop (performative males, where yah at?), opt for a vibrant plushie like this one.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Exciting Macaron Toffee Vinyl Plush Pendant

    On Sale 21% off

    This little guy is one of my favorites on this list because of its toffee, teddy bear-like hue. It’ll also have no trouble fitting in with all of your fall OOTDs.

    Shop Labubu Sealed Cases

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Big into Energy Series Phone Charm Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)

    Why settle for one blind box when you can have six? This sealed case is for the most committed Labubu collectors. $81 is a pretty reasonable price for a set this size, with each toy coming out to just under $14.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Coca Cola Series Vinyl Face Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)

    On Sale 10% off

    I sure had no clue Pop Mart made a Labubu and Coca Cola series, but I’m so curious that I might just have to finally buy a Labubu for myself.

    Fans Can Now Buy Verified & On-Sale Labubus at Walmart

    Verified by StockX

    Pop Mart Labubu The Monsters Have a Seat Vinyl Plush Sealed Case (6 Blind Box)

    On Sale 15% off

    Here’s another six-piece case option if you want to increase your chances of getting the figure you’ve always wanted to get your hands on.

    Shop More Labubus at Walmart

    [ad_2]

    Katie Decker-Jacoby

    Source link

  • Why Walmart’s CEO says AI won’t lead to lower headcount | Fortune

    [ad_1]

    Walmart’s U.S. operations employ roughly 1.6 million people today. And if Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner’s instincts are right, that number will hold steady in the coming years, despite all the talk of how the growing use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) might decimate jobs across the economy.

    “When we look out two years, three years, five years, where I think we’ll be is we’ll have roughly the same number of people we have today,” Furner told Fortune’s Jason Del Rey at the Brainstorm Tech conference in Park City, Utah on Tuesday. But, he added, Walmart will have a larger business, meaning that employees on payroll at the largest U.S. employer will be on a per capita basis more productive than now.

    Last year, Walmart U.S.’s revenue rose 4.7% to $462.42 billion as it took share from rivals like Target and Kroger. And last month, the retailer said it now expected U.S. sales growth of as much as 4.75% for the full fiscal year underway on the strength of a blistering first quarter.

    Concretely, though the same headcount at a higher sales line that means many jobs will effectively disappear. But, Furner says, many old roles will be replaced by news ones within Walmart. He cited as an example a general manager called Maurice in Brooksville, Florida. This employee spent two decades or so loading trucks, but now, Furner said, he’s leading a team of bot techs and his work including circuit boards, and changing batteries out.

    “We’re extending people’s career and those jobs pay better. The attrition rates are really low,” Furner said at the conference. To entice workers to embrace A.I. and see it as a path to job growth and opportunity, Walmart has announced a certification program with Open AI.

    Another way AI is changing how Walmart store employees go about their day: an agent quickly makes a detailed list of the tasks to be done on a shift, something that used to take someone 30 to 45 minutes a day. “Now, when they come in, they say ‘Here’s who is going to be in the building this evening. Here the
    most important things we can do. We have a suggestion for assignments,’” says Furner.

    There are also agents who advise Walmart’s marketplace sellers and yet others that work with Walmart merchants to provide information on what to stock, what to curate, and where to place it in the store, reducing the time needed to executive those tasks in the pre-AI world.

    More from Brainstorm Tech

    DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says path to autonomous deliveries filled with ‘lots of pain and suffering’ but company is nearing first inning of commercial progress

    Jeffrey Katzenberg says legislation to protect children from online harms is unlikely: ‘It took 80 years’ to pass seatbelt laws

    How playing chess helped NFL star Larry Fitzgerald slow down his thoughts while managing ADHD and level up his investing game

    Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.

    [ad_2]

    Phil Wahba

    Source link

  • Walmart+ Membership Now Gives Choice of Peacock Or Paramount+ – Doctor Of Credit

    [ad_1]

    For a while, Walmart+ members have been enjoying a free Paramount+ subscription. Walmart announced that beginning on 9/15/25, members will be able to choose between the ad-supported plans of Peacock and Paramount+ at no additional cost.

    This is a cool benefit of Walmart+ and the flexibility to now choose Peacock gives it more value. 

    Hat tip to reader Mike

    [ad_2]

    Chuck

    Source link

  • ‘We didn’t believe it’: Workers win big with $100,000 Powerball lottery pool win

    [ad_1]

    TRY TO SEE IF HE CAN RUN THE BALL. IT’S EMBARRASSING. ALL RIGHT. THAT’S IT. I’M SORRY TO TELL YOU THIS BECAUSE IT’S 1026 AT NIGHT. IT’S TOO LATE TO BUY THE WINNING POWERBALL TICKET. A WHOPPING $1.1 BILLION UP FOR GRABS TONIGHT. THE CASH VALUE, BY THE WAY, OF ALMOST $500 MILLION. AND OUR ASSIGNMENT EDITOR WENT TO GRAB A TICKET LATE TONIGHT AND THE 7-ELEVEN THAT HE WENT TO HAD ACTUALLY REACHED ITS DAILY SALES LIMIT, SO HE COULDN’T PRINT ANY MORE. SO IF YOU DID GET A TICKET, HAVE THOSE TICKETS HANDY AND TUNE

    ‘We didn’t believe it’: Workers win big with $100,000 Powerball lottery pool win

    Updated: 2:24 PM PDT Sep 7, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    While the Powerball jackpot continues to grow, six co-workers now have a nice payday payout after one lucky win of $100,000 playing Powerball in North Carolina. “We really won the lottery,” the co-workers said as they gathered to collect their win at the lottery headquarters. The group known as the “Money Team,” originally thought they’d only won $500, but were shocked to discover that it was a lot more than that. Dwane Heyward, of Georgetown, South Carolina; Keshia Gary, of Southern Pines; Thomasine Hairston, from Bennettsville, South Carolina; Saad Pressley, of Rockingham; Genesis McLaurin, of Hamlet; and Kaprise McLean, of Laurinburg, play the lottery games as a group and share the prize money.“We didn’t believe it until it happened,” Heyward said.They bought the winning ticket at Walmart on North Tryon Street in Charlotte. The ticket matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball in the Aug. 23 drawing to win $50,000. Because they bought a Power Play ticket, the prize doubled to $100,000 when the 2X multiplier hit.The Money Team took home $71,751 after federal and state taxes.

    While the Powerball jackpot continues to grow, six co-workers now have a nice payday payout after one lucky win of $100,000 playing Powerball in North Carolina.

    “We really won the lottery,” the co-workers said as they gathered to collect their win at the lottery headquarters.

    The group known as the “Money Team,” originally thought they’d only won $500, but were shocked to discover that it was a lot more than that.

    Dwane Heyward, of Georgetown, South Carolina; Keshia Gary, of Southern Pines; Thomasine Hairston, from Bennettsville, South Carolina; Saad Pressley, of Rockingham; Genesis McLaurin, of Hamlet; and Kaprise McLean, of Laurinburg, play the lottery games as a group and share the prize money.

    money team wins nc powerball

    North Carolina Education Lottery

    “We didn’t believe it until it happened,” Heyward said.

    They bought the winning ticket at Walmart on North Tryon Street in Charlotte. The ticket matched the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball in the Aug. 23 drawing to win $50,000. Because they bought a Power Play ticket, the prize doubled to $100,000 when the 2X multiplier hit.

    The Money Team took home $71,751 after federal and state taxes.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Walmart+ Now Lets You Choose Between Free Peacock and Paramount+

    [ad_1]

    Walmart+ Adds Peacock as Free Streaming Option

    Walmart+ Adds Peacock as Free Streaming Option

    Walmart+ has announced an improvement to the entertainment experience by introducing Peacock as an option besides longtime partner Paramount+.

    Beginning on Sept. 15, Walmart+ members will be able to choose between the ad-supported plans of Peacock and Paramount+ at no additional cost.

    Since its launch in 2020 with three core benefits, Walmart+ has rapidly expanded, offering free same day delivery on grocery and Rx, free shipping with no order minimum, gas discounts, and 5% unlimited cashback through the newly announced OnePay CashRewards Credit Card.

    With this enhanced benefit, members can access an array of premium entertainment. They’ll have the freedom to choose between Paramount+ Essential, featuring a vast selection of championship sports, iconic franchises, popular movies and hit original series such as NCIS: Tony & Ziva (premiering Sept. 4), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Landman and Tulsa King, or Peacock Premium, known for live sports, blockbuster films, reality TV favorites, next-day access to NBC and Bravo programming, and Spanish language content such as the Telemundo Hub.

    To make the offering even more flexible, members can switch between the two services every 90 days.

    As a reminder, Walmart+ is complimentary for Amex Platinum cardholders. If you want both Peacock and Paramount+ for free, you can choose Paramount+ through Walmart+ and then use your Amex Platinum card’s entertainment credit for Peacock. But you can also get Peacock for free through Instacart+ which is a benefit on several Chase credit cards.

    [ad_2]

    DDG

    Source link

  • Are Costco and Walmart open on Labor Day? Find out which grocery stores would be open for business

    [ad_1]

    What’s Open—and What’s Closed—on Labor Day 2025

    As Labor Day approaches this year—falling on Monday, September 1, 2025—many Americans are planning barbecues, shopping excursions, or quick getaways. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect as stores, services, and institutions adjust to the federal holiday.

    Retail & Grocery Stores

    Open (mostly regular or slightly modified hours):
    Major retailers like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Ross, TJ Maxx, and others (e.g., Michael’s, Petco, Staples, Big Lots, Marshalls) will be open with regular hours, offering plenty of shopping and last-minute deals.

    Grocery chains including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger (and its affiliates such as Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ’n Save, Fred Meyer), Publix, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, Safeway, and Vons will also be open with usual hours.

    Open with adjusted or limited hours:

    Aldi will operate, but most locations will close early—commonly around 6 p.m., though you should check ahead.
    Sam’s Club will remain open, but with reduced hours, typically closing around 6 p.m. (Plus Members may have extended hours).

    Closed:

    Costco is the notable exception—it will be closed across all locations for the entire day.

    Pharmacies & Drugstores

    Chain pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are expected to remain open, though pharmacy services may vary by location—some may operate on limited or holiday hours.

    People visit CVS Pharmacy store in San Francisco, California. CVS Pharmacy is a major American retail chain.

    Postal Services & Deliveries

    The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be closed, with no mail delivery, as it follows the federal holiday schedule.
    UPS and FedEx will halt regular pickup and delivery services. Some FedEx Office locations may be open with modified hours, and both companies offer critical services (e.g., UPS Express Critical or FedEx Custom Critical) that remain operational .Banking, Stock Markets &

    Government Offices

    Banks will be closed on Labor Day, with ATMs and online banking still functional. However, transactions made that day will typically process the next business day.
    Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will be closed for trading on Labor Day, resuming normal operations on Tuesday, September 2.
    Federal, state, and local government offices, including courts, DMVs, and various administrative agencies, will be closed, with services resuming the following day.

    Detail of Chicago Board of Trade buidling in downtown down town for stock market and trading or investing

    Schools & Libraries

    Most public schools will be closed in observance of the holiday, with private school schedules varying by district—check local calendars for specifics.
    Libraries are expected to follow similar closure schedules—most will be closed or have limited hours.

    Travel & Public Transportation

    In cities like Houston, METRO buses, Metrorail, and Metrorapid will operate on reduced (Sunday-level) service, while park-and-ride services will be unavailable.
    Travel advisories, including from the TSA, warn of increased airport volumes and encourage early arrival—especially for those traveling by air.

    Quick Reference Table

    Retail Stores

    Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc.

    Aldi, Sam’s Club

    Costco

    Grocery Chains

    Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, etc.

    Aldi, Sam’s Club

    Costco

    Pharmacies

    CVS, Walgreens (hours vary)

    —

    —

    Postal & Delivery

    Critical services (UPS/FedEx)

    FedEx Office (limited hours)

    USPS, regular FedEx/UPS

    Banks & Financial

    ATMs & online banking

    —

    Bank branches, stock markets

    Government Services

    —

    —

    All non-essential offices

    Schools & Libraries

    —

    —

    Most are closed

    Public Transit

    Greater regular services

    Sunday schedule (e.g., Houston METRO)

    Final Notes

    Costco will be closed all day.
    Most major retailers and grocers (Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.) are open as usual.
    Limited hours apply to chains like Aldi and Sam’s Club.
    USPS, banks, government offices, and stock markets remain closed.
    Critical delivery services operate, but standard ones do not.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • How Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s Confront Tariff Pressures

    [ad_1]

    Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said tariff-driven price increases will likely persist through the rest of 2025. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

    The financial impact of the Trump administration’s shifting tariff policy is reaching the shelves of America’s biggest retailers. Walmart, the largest of them all, warned this week that levy-driven price hikes will only become more common. “As we replenish inventory at post-tariff price levels, we’ve continued to see our costs increase each week,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said on the retailer’s second-quarter earnings call. He added that the trend will likely persist through the rest of 2025.

    Walmart first flagged price increases back in May, cautioning it could not fully absorb the financial hit of tariffs—a warning drew President Donald Trump’s ire. Trump publicly demanded that Walmart “EAT THE TARIFFS.” Around one-third of Walmart’s merchandise is produced abroad, with heavy reliance on imports from China, Mexico, Vietnam and India.

    Despite the pressures, Walmart topped revenue estimates with $177.4 billion sales for the May-July quarter, up 4.8 percent year-over-year. Net income, however, came in at $7 billion, missing Wall Street’s profit expectations. McMillon said customer behavior hasn’t shifted dramatically overall, but noted that middle- and lower-income shoppers are more likely to switch products or categories in response to rising prices compared with higher-income households.

    Target, one of Walmart’s biggest rivals, has so far been more hesitant to raise prices. “What we’ve said, and it continues to be our position, is that we’ll take price as a last resort,” Target CFO Rick Gomez said during its Aug. 20 earnings call.

    Still, Target acknowledged the pressure tariffs are creating. The company, which announced this week that CEO Brian Cornell will step down next year, projected a low single-digit sales decline in 2025. “Obviously, the straight cost impact of tariffs will be with us as long as the tariffs are with us,” Fiddelke told analysts. Target nevertheless beat estimates on both revenue and net income for the quarter.

    Home Depot, meanwhile, has reversed course on its earlier pledge to avoid price hikes. In May, the company said it would instead get rid of some product options. But during its Aug. 19 earnings call, Home Depot’s executive vice president of merchandising, Billy Bastick, said that plan has changed. “There’ll be some modest price movement in some categories, but it won’t be broad-based,” he said, adding that Home Depot is also scaling back promotional activity in certain areas to offset tariff costs.

    The broader economic environment is weighing on the company’s performance. Home Depot reported $45 billion in sales and $4.5 billion in net income for the quarter, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations for the first time since 2014.

    Home Depot’s rival, Lowe’s, in contrast, impressed Wall Street this week. The home improvement chain reported $2.4 billion in net income on nearly $24 billion in revenue, which matched analyst expectations. CEO Marvin Ellison emphasized the company’s strategy of sourcing more goods domestically. About 60 percent of Lowe’s merchandise now comes from the U.S., while imports from China have dropped to 20 percent—down significantly from seven years ago.

    Pricing remains a “dynamic” environment for the time being, said Ellison, who added that Lowe’s will fluctuate its prices depending on additional factors like competitive responses and internal algorithms. “We’re managing this literally in real time because this is uncharted waters,” he said.

    How Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s Confront Tariff Pressures

    [ad_2]

    Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

    Source link