We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Walmart takes their motto “Save Money. Live Better” very seriously, especially when it comes to their grocery aisles. The popular discount retailer announced on April 30 that it launched a new line of “chef-inspired” grocery items called bettergoods, now Walmart’s largest private food brand in 20 years.
“It’s a commitment to our customers that they can enjoy unique culinary flavors at the incredible value Walmart delivers,” says Scott Morris, Walmart’s senior vice president of private brands, food and consumables, in a recent press release.
We can say that affordable is certainly accurate as we take a look at the prices within this line. The 300 Bettergoods items range between $2 and $15, a majority of which are priced under $5. These items are located in many of Walmart’s aisles including the frozen, dairy, snacks, beverages, pasta, soups, chocolate, and coffee sections.
Walmart set out to achieve three different goals by launching this line. The first is to elevate the shopper’s culinary experience, with elevated ingredients and “food-trend forward offerings” that match consumers’ current cravings. Second, Walmart is looking to provide affordable plant-based options for shoppers, from nondairy frozen desserts to plant-based shredded cheese and more, all in a signature green branding and packaging. Lastly, their “Made Without” items focus on health and dietary preferences, with options free of artificial flavors, added sugar, colorings, gluten, and other ingredients you choose to avoid when shopping for groceries.
Approachable and affordable are the key drivers here for Walmart and the bettergoods brand, providing products from suppliers across the globe that are “high-quality, trend-forward ingredients and flavors” that will delight shoppers. And, of course, ultimately help them to save a little bit more money in their wallets.
Walmart is rolling out a new store label designed to appeal to younger customers who are not brand loyal and want gourmet foods that are more affordably priced.
The company said on Tuesday that it’s rolling out 300 new products, sold under the name Bettergoods, representing its largest private brand food launch in 20 years.
The new line includes upscale products such as premium bronze-cut pasta from Italy, priced at $1.97 per package, and plant-based mozzarella, which costs less than $4. The rollout comes as more shoppers are shifting to store brands, which tend to cost less than premium brands, as a way to counter food inflation.
Walmart is debuting a new store brand called Bettergoods, which it says is “chef-iinspired” and designed to create an “elevated experience.” Products range in price from $2 to $15, although many cost less than $5.
Walmart
“Today’s customers expect more from the private brands they purchase – they want affordable, quality products to elevate their overall food experience,” said Scott Morris, senior vice president, private brands, food and consumables, Walmart, in the statement.
How much will Bettergoods items cost?
Walmart said the items will range in price from $2 to $15, with most of them under the $5 mark.
When will Bettergoods products be on the shelves?
Walmart said some Bettergoods items are already on shelves, but that it plans to introduce more through the fall.
What types of products are sold under the Bettergoods label?
Walmart said it is creating 300 products, spanning frozen, dairy, snacks, beverages, pasta, soups, coffee and chocolate among others.
Here are some of the items it announced on Tuesday:
Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.
Things are gearing up for the Masters, the PGA and LIV are making nice and cbd is quietly helping golfers – wait – what was the third thing?
After a bitter fight, it seems the Saudi backed LIV Golf and the Professional Golf Tournament (PGA) are making nice and everyone seems ready to be polite at the upcoming Masters Tournament. The PGA Tour agreed to merge with LIV Golf in June 2023, ending ongoing lawsuits and allowing competitors to move forward as a larger operation. The two parties agreed to merge the commercial operations and rights of LIV Golf and PGA Tour into a new, unnamed, for-profit corporation. But the devil is in the details and it isn’t fully settled. Despite the uncertainly, even casual golfers are gearing up to watch the annual Masters in Georgia to see both sides being nice.
In golf, the Masters is one of the most viewed tournaments, but what you won’t see is the answer to why golfers are mastering CBD. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson heavily suggested they consuming CBD-infused gum at tournaments, including the Masters. Greg Norman, Bubba Watson and Lucas Glover have all openly revealed they regularly use CBD oil to take their game to the next level. So why have the embraced this cannabis derived cbd oil? Simple it helps them play and recover better and quicker.
While CBD comes from the cannabis plant, it doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high. This is the key reason it is sold in mainstream retailers like Walmart and Amazon. It has been scientifically proven to have medical benefits and helps with anxiety, inflammation, and more.
Photo by HeungSoon via Pixabay
A key benefit of CBD for golfers it helps calm nerves and anxiety experienced while playing. It is an individual game were you are completing against yourself and others while be watched. A person’s mental state plays a key role in any sport, so being as serene as possible will always help improve performance.
In additional, the game requires a significant amount of muscles and, in tournaments, over and over again for 1-3 days. CBD can help with fatigue, tiredness and muscle pain. In addition it can help a golfer recover quicker to allow playing round after round, day after day. Whether you’re sore from the day before or fighting off the sluggishness aging brings, it can gently relax and reduce many body issues.
Like cannabis, there still needs to be more research and you may want to experiment with dosage. If you are a regular golfer, this could be another helpmate on the course.
(FOX40.COM) — Two men have been sentenced to serve a year in jail after an investigation revealed them responsible for attempting to scam a Yuba County Walmart by placing a credit card skimmer at self-checkout registers in the store, according to the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office.
The DA’s Office said Romanian nationals Alexandru Capatina and Leontin Ionut, who will also serve two years on formal probation, also committed the same scam in Southern California before they brought it to Yuba County.
According to the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office, a call was made to the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department on Feb. 11 by a Walmart loss prevention employee with surveillance video showing two men placing a credit card skimmer on a self-checkout register.
The same Walmart employee also obtained a video of the men getting into a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which allowed Yuba County deputies to get essential license plate information that led them to a house in Sacramento believed to be owned by the suspects, the DA’s Office said.
Detectives confirmed the Sacramento residence where the two men were living and, with the help of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant to the home on Feb. 27. During the search, detectives seized 46 Visa gift cards and $4,627 in cash.
During their investigation, Yuba County detectives learned that the two men had installed card skimmers at a Walmart in Yuba City, a Dollar General in Live Oak, along with the skimmer placed at the Walmart in Linda.
“Both Ionut and Capatina spent time in Mexico before entering the United States illegally about eight months before their arrests,” the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office said. “While both men deny any affiliation with organized crime, their skimmer operation in the Sacramento region is almost identical to dozens of skimmer operations in Southern California with ties to organized crime in Romania.”
The Yuba County DA’s Office said the men committed the same scam in Riverside County, located in Southern California, which was learned when a Sutter County investigator saw a bulletin about two men who were arrested for using a credit card skimmer and compared the booking photos with the previously gathered surveillance video.
“Thank you to the [Yuba County Sheriff’s Department] for your hard work for our community. Without your hard work, these criminals would still be installing skimmers and stealing from our residents,” the DA’s Office said.
A skimming device or “skimmer” is a device that is placed on ATMs to illegally extract people’s bank card information and any information about their identities. As people pay for items by inserting their bank cards, the skimmer records their bank account, bank card number, and personal information onto a sim card.
The Yuba County DA’s Office said that in this case, the devices appeared to be a frame of an ATM.
“Suspects don’t even need to remove the frame to obtain the information, [and will] pull the information from the sim card in the skimmer with a Bluetooth connection,” the DA’s Office added.
Plaintiffs alleged Walmart sold-by-weight meat, poultry, pork, and seafood products (referred to as “Weighted Goods”) and certain organic oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and navel oranges sold in bulk in mesh or plastic bags (referred to as “Bagged Citrus”) paid more than the lowest in-store advertised price for those products. Walmart has denied any wrong doing but agreed to a settlement.
Who is Eligible
You are a member of the Settlement Class if you purchased Weighted Goods and/or Bagged Citrus in-person at a Walmart retail store, supercenter, or neighborhood market in the United States or Puerto Rico October 19, 2018 through and including January 19, 2024.
How Much
Up to $25 without proof of purchase
Up to $500 with proof of purchase
Total settlement pool is $25 million
Important Dates
You must submit a completed Claim Form no later than JUNE 5, 2024
The final approval hearing on this is scheduled for ??
Our Verdict
You should be notified if you have your purchases link, otherwise you’ll need to manually claim. Given the settlement pool is only $25 million I’d be surprised if people get anything like $25 or $500 but always worth doing these as sometimes you get a nice surprise.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Amazon has certainly capitalized on customer loyalty with their Prime membership over the years, with perks like free and fast shipping and discounted prices. It only makes sense that a big brick-and-mortar competitor like Walmart would do the same. Walmart+ is a membership program that provides shoppers with benefits including free delivery, shipping, and returns, as well fuel savings and cash back on travel expenses. While these perks are certainly beneficial for Walmart regulars, not everyone can afford the $98 fee a year or even the $12.95 a month, and shipping prices can be hefty for anyone shopping outside of their membership. Instead, shoppers turn to other marketplace sellers to get their groceries delivered to them, which can become a logistical nightmare when it comes to organizing item returns. So Walmart decided to do something about it.
Moving forward, any Walmart items that are purchased from third-party sellers outside of their physical stores or online offerings (such as their website or app) will have to pay a hefty new price for shipping and returns. In their March 2024 Seller Digest, Walmart states this change is due to “changing market conditions.”
Thankfully, Walmart offered a solution for customers of third-party retailers so they can avoid the hefty costs, as well as the logistical headache from Walmart itself. Labeled the Keep It Rule, shoppers have the option to keep the items while still receiving a refund when they initiate returns online or in Walmart stores.
This major change is announced months after another Walmart return policy where customers are required to provide a receipt of purchase when returning an item. Without a receipt, customers still have the option for a full refund in the form of store credit. However, Walmart may have the ability to pull up a receipt that is lost by looking it up with the credit card used for purchase.
The tragic incident involving Jason Jenkins, an 18-year-old employee at a Walmart in Rockford, Illinois, has left the community in shock and prompted a series of events to honor his memory and support his family. On March 24, Jenkins was fatally stabbed by a customer, Timothy Carter, during his shift at the Walmart located at 3849 Northridge Drive. The incident was reported to the police around 6:05 p.m., and Jenkins was taken to Javon Bea Mercyhealth Riverside for emergency surgery, but he passed away later that evening at 7:48 p.m.
Jason Jenkins Stabbed at Walmart; Rockford City Council Honors Victims
Key Facts:
Jason Jenkins was a young, promising individual whose life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence.
The incident has sparked a community-wide response, highlighting the importance of unity and support in times of tragedy.
The suspect, Timothy Carter, reportedly had a history of mental health issues and was denied treatment, which may have contributed to the incident.
The Rockford community and city leaders have shown solidarity and support for the Jenkins family, emphasizing the need for love, creativity, and unity in the face of adversity.
The incident underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the need for accessible treatment options for individuals in need.
Carter, who was reportedly suffering from a mental health crisis, had sought treatment at Rosecrance earlier in the day but was denied treatment. He then went to UW Health Swedish American, where he was released without receiving mental health treatment. After the incident, Carter surrendered to security officers at the Walmart.
The Rockford community and city leaders held a vigil at the Walmart to honor Jenkins’ memory. The event was attended by dozens of residents and city leaders, including Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, State Rep. Maurice West, and the NAACP Rockford President George Scott. Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of unity, love, and creativity in the face of tragedy. An online fundraiser was created to support Jenkins’ twin brother, Jasper, through college.
Walmart stabbing victim identified as 18-year-old employee, Jason Jenkins https://t.co/ptZE6vlVY2
The Rockford Walmart reopened after the incident, with increased security measures in place. The community’s response to the tragedy was overwhelming, with hundreds of people gathering outside the Walmart to remember Jenkins. His friends and co-workers shared stories of his quick wit, sense of humor, and willingness to help others. An orange balloon release and a candlelight vigil were held in his honor, with attendees wearing orange, Jenkins’ favorite color.
The Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd acknowledged the community’s support for Jenkins and his family, stating that the investigation into the incident was ongoing. The community’s response to the tragedy underscores the importance of unity and support in times of loss. The incident has also sparked discussions about mental health and the need for better support systems for individuals in crisis.
The tragic stabbing of Jason Jenkins at a Walmart in Rockford has led to a community-wide effort to honor his memory and support his family. The incident has prompted discussions about mental health and the need for better support systems, highlighting the importance of unity and support in the face of tragedy.
The market loves a good stock split. When a company decides to split its shares, it is a reflection of the company’s success and also indicates management’s confidence in its future. In other words, it’s almost always top stocks demonstrating strong performance that go for stock splits.
The two newest stock-split stocks currently gripping the market are Walmart, whose 3-for-1 stock split went through in February, and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which announced a gargantuan 50-for-1 split last week. Both of these stocks are outpacing the broader market this year.
Will other stocks follow? Costco Wholesale(NASDAQ: COST) and MercadoLibre(NASDAQ: MELI) are two stocks that look poised for stock splits.
The unbeatable membership model
Costco has been a market-beating stock for decades. It has an incredible, unbeatable retail membership model that generates customer loyalty, high traffic, and strong sales. It charges $60 for a basic annual membership, which members more than make up for with their cost savings on their yearly purchases. Costco marks up products, which it sells mostly in bulk, with razor-thin margins to cover costs, and it makes its profits on the fees.
Sales growth was sluggish for most of last year and even headed into negative territory, but that was mostly attributable to shoppers cutting down on large, expensive items. Traffic and volume were up, as was membership.
In fiscal 2024’s second quarter (ended Feb. 18), sales increased 5.9% year over year driven by a 5.6% increase in comparable sales and a 5.3% increase in traffic. Earnings per share (EPS) were up from $3.30 to $3.92. Membership fee increased 8.4% to $84 million, and paid household members increased 7.8% to $73.4 million. Renewal rates continue to be sky-high, with Canada and the U.S. at 92.9% and the global rate at 90.5%.
Costco has split its stock three times in the past, and the last time it did was 24 years ago. The stock is up almost 1,500% since then, and it’s up 48% over the past year. Each share cost more than $700 as of this writing.
Costco paid a $15 special dividend to shareholders earlier this year, and it’s also due for a membership fee hike. Walmart and Chipotle noted their strong performances and continued opportunities in their stock split announcements, and that applies to Costco, too. This could also be the year that it finally splits its stock.
The leader in Latin American e-commerce
MercadoLibre is the top Latin American e-commerce giant, similar to Amazon. Even though it’s not so young anymore, it operates in a market that’s exploding, and it’s still reporting exceptional growth in its e-commerce business. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased 79% year over year (currency neutral) in the 2023 fourth quarter.
Like Amazon, MercacoLibre has branched out into new businesses, and these are growing even faster. It has a large fintech business focused on digital payments, and total payment volume (TPV) was up 153% year over year in the fourth quarter. It has incredible opportunities in off-platform TPV, which are payments that aren’t made in its own marketplace. Off-platform TPV was up a whopping 182% in the fourth quarter.
As part of the fintech segment, MercadoLibre also operates a fairly new credit business. This is a lucrative undertaking that gives the company tons of cash to fund other ventures and invest for interest income. The credit portfolio increased 33% year over year in the fourth quarter.
Total company revenue increased 83% year over year in the quarter. Net income was negatively impacted by a tax liability in the fourth quarter, but MercadoLibre remains reliably profitable, with $165 million in the fourth quarter.
MercadoLibre has been a public company since 2007, and it has never split its stock. It’s gained more than 5,000% in its lifetime and trades with a price tag of $1,540 today. Hitting four digits often leads to a stock split, but MercadoLibre has been in that bracket for some time. Its stock is about flat this year, falling after the fourth-quarter report and the drop in profits.
In contrast to the reasons for the other stock splits mentioned above, a stock split could stimulate greater interest in MercadoLibre stock and signal that management is confident about the future. In any case, this is a great opportunity for investors to buy in before MercadoLibre stock starts climbing again.
Should you invest $1,000 in Costco Wholesale right now?
Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Costco Wholesale wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.
John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has positions in MercadoLibre. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Costco Wholesale, MercadoLibre, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If there’s a chance that I don’t have to go to a grocery store (but still have a fridge miraculously filled with food), I’m going to take that option SO fast. Lightning fast, in fact! It’s not just because online grocery shopping has saved me quite a bit of money (I make way fewer impulsive or hangry buys); it also allows me more time in my one precious life for the important things, like taking up pickleball or catching up on Love Island UK.
So when I saw that Walmart had rolled out a Walmart+ membership program, I knew I’d have to try it out to see if it could save me a bit of money and a bit of time (the ultimate BOGO, TBH). Not all online grocers are made equal, and with some you’re paying a lot for convenience. I decided to suss out if Walmart+ is worth it or not. Here’s what I found.
Simply put, Walmart+ acts similarly to having an Amazon Prime account: the monthly membership fee gets you free shipping on all sorts of things (like online orders and grocery deliveries from a nearby store), plus early access to deals, a subscription to Paramount+, as well as cashback opportunities. You can also either pay for a yearly subscription or monthly.
How Much Does a Walmart+ Membership Cost?
What Makes a Walmart+ Membership Worth It?
Much like how Walmart isn’t just a grocery store, Walmart+ is more than a handy grocery delivery service. A Walmart+ membership will also get you:
What’s most exciting about Walmart+ is that the prices are the same in store and online — there’s no surcharge for online orders, which I’ve noticed at other retailers. Walmart even has a handy quiz at sign-up that helps you map out how much the service can save you in a year (you can fill in how often you expect to get grocery deliveries, do online orders, and stop for gas). Per the quiz, it’s estimated I could — in theory — save $540 a year by using the service.
Can You Shop at Walmart Without a Membership?
You bet! Like other grocery services (think: Amazon Fresh or Instacart), Walmart is still shoppable without a membership, whether you opt to shop online or in-store. You will pay additional fees for shipping, delivery, or any additional shopper-related fees (like tips) when shopping online.
Why You Might Pass on a Walmart+ Membership
Look, the Walmart+ membership gets you a lot of benefits. That being said, there are some snags I think are cause for consideration:
As for me, a solo shopper who punctuates Trader Joe’s runs with a few Instacart orders a month, I love the selection of Walmart+. It’s a lot of what I need all at one store, with the handiness of being able to order a wide variety of things — guitar picks, mascara, and a fresh pack of socks — all with free shipping.
Like I said before, us single household city-dwellers (I live in Los Angeles) might not be able to reap all the benefits of Walmart+, so for me it’s not 100% worth it as of now, but I’d definitely consider it if I lived within delivery distance, had a larger household, or just really needed a large box of Fruity Pebbles on the regular.
Are you a Walmart+ member? Tell us about your experience below!
Can’t stop losing your keys? Need to keep a closer eye on your wallet? A set of Apple AirTags might be the best purchase you could ever make for yourself. These Tile-like smart trackers (including lost luggage) are the best of the best, and if you have an iPhone, you owe it to yourself to pick a few up and attach them to the items you keep losing over and over.
These helpful devices don’t go on sale too often, and they usually sell out quickly when they do. So now that Walmart is offering a 4-pack for just $80, you should high-tail it on over to the retailer and stock up while you can. (Full disclosure: Some users have raised privacy concerns about this product. Here’s all you need to know.)
These tiny trackers send out a Bluetooth signal that can be anonymously detected by nearby devices. Even if your own phone isn’t handy, you (and only you) can locate these trackers on an Apple “Find My” map. If you do have your phone in-hand, it can lead you straight to your missing item. Easy-peasy.
You’ll get the best per-AirTag price when you buy a four-pack. But if you only need one, single Apple AirTags are available at Walmart as well.
Apple AirTags (4-Pack): $80 ($20 off)
Apple
The Apple AirTag is still the best smart tracker you can get. Specifically designed for Apple users, this compact tracker syncs with devices like your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook for quick, hassle-free setup. And despite its small size, it boasts impressive tracking capabilities.
Equipped with the U1 ultra-wideband chip, the AirTag can accurately locate all your lost items with Apple’s Find My network. Even when an item is turned off, like your iPhone, Find My can track it down. That same network can help find your lost keys or even your pet if you attach an AirTag to its collar.
You don’t need to routinely recharge AirTags either, as each unit’s battery lasts up a year per tracker. When the battery dies, just replace the CR2032 battery. Additionally, you’ll receive notifications if you unintentionally leave behind an AirTagged item or if your phone detects an unknown AirTag accompanying you, so you can take action if you need to.
The only limitation of the AirTag is its exclusive compatibility with Apple devices. If you use an Android device, you’ll have to rely on a different tracker. However, for iPhone users, you should definitely snag a few AirTags in your most-used belongings. There’s no real reason not to at this price.
Right now, you can get the 4-pack of Apple AirTags for just $80, which is $20 off their normal price of $100.
You can also get just one AirTag for just $24
Are AirTags safe for privacy?
Apple’s AirTags have raised concerns from some customers who say the devices are vulnerable to misuse by bad actors. You might want to consider the details before buying.
Because of the way AirTags leverage the “Find My” app on your iPhone, they effectively make every iPhone and iPad across the globe part of a massive network. What makes them accurate — so that you can pinpoint the location of your lost items — can also make them tools for stalkers and a potential privacy issue. Given their small size, it’s simple for someone to, say, drop an AirTag in someone’s purse and watch every move they make. Or they could hide an AirTag in a car and keep tabs on someone’s car.
This makes Apple’s trackers stand out from those from Tile or Chipolo products, which don’t continually broadcast their location. But those brands also are less accurate than AirTags – and their range of efficacy nowhere near as large.
While there are privacy-centric precautions in place, such as an alert that automatically notifies you if an AirTag that is not paired to one of your devices is found around you, it’s not foolproof. There are ways to get around some of the safeguards from Apple itself if you really want to — part of which has led to a class action lawsuit against the tech giant. Filed in 2023, it claims plaintiffs ended up suffering “substantial” injuries from abusers who used AirTags in ways Apple failed to safeguard against. A judge recently dismissed Apple’s request to quash the suit, so it’s ongoing.
In the end, buying and using AirTags is a decision you’ll have to weigh for yourself. If you feel safe and comfortable using them with Apple’s many security protections in place, they can make excellent trackers.
Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She’s been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade. Follow her on Twitter at @MolotovCupcake.
Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Webcam, Touch ID
Wi-Fi 6
Up to 18-Hours Battery Life
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!
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (WJW) – An international crime ring has been identified as the group behind a brazen crime spree across Northern Ohio and other parts of the state over the past year.
The thieves have been using micro-sized skimmers to steal credit card and banking data from ATMs and retail point of sale devices.
“They’re targeting the magnetic strip on the back of the cards,” said Eric Balish, U.S. Secret Service Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge.
On Monday, agents with Cleveland Field Office showed FOX 8 some of the evidence in the case.
“The parts have gotten so small, what they once couldn’t put into the machine, they now can,” said Balish.
Agents say, paper thin recording devices are being inserted inside of ATM card readers and then micro cameras are being mounted to appear like part of the terminal, but they’re actually recording a person’s pin number as it’s entered.
“They’re placed in an area where the average person is not going to find it,” said Blaine Forschen, Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Field Office. “They go to the ATM late at night and can install it within 10 seconds.”
The devices are so sophisticated, even the locations don’t notice them at first.
The same goes for fake point of sale card readers that look exactly like the real devices. It also takes only seconds for the criminals to slip it over top of the actual card reader and is nearly undetectable.
The crooks usually retrieve them in a day or two and then wipe out the accounts.
Forschen says dozens of devices have been recovered as part of the investigation with more than a $1 million stolen.
“The group doing it is an organized criminal syndicate,” he said. “They all come from eastern European countries. the ones we’ve identified came across the southern border illegally and have been making their way across the country.”
Multiple ATMs and stores have been hit, including Walmart and Marc’s. Giant Eagle confirmed in early January that they found the devices inside several stores in Northeast and Central Ohio.
One person has been arrested in Western Pennsylvania who is connected to the cases in Ohio and multiple additional federal indictments are expected in the next four to six months, said Forschen.
But skimming crimes are becoming common, so he said people need to protect themselves.
He suggested only using chip cards or other modes of digital payment.
Hide your pin number when using an ATM and always be cautious at checkout.
“It’s either sticky tape or a gluey substance they use to put the device over the real POS terminal, so if you give it a tug and it moves at all, there’s something sketchy that’s not supposed to be there,” said Forshen.
Most importantly, frequently check your accounts so that if something has happened, you can quickly inform your bank or credit card company.
He says skimmer crimes cost the country over a billion each year, so it’s up to individuals to help themselves and the authorities fight back.
A human finger was discovered outside a Walmart in Ohio, police say.
Jeff Chiu
AP
An amputated human finger found in the parking lot of a Walmart has sparked an investigation, Ohio authorities say.
The mysterious finger was discovered outside a Walmart in Sidney on Feb. 18, according to the Sidney Police Department. It was taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, where officials determined it belonged to a human — likely a white woman.
As the investigation continued over the next several days, officers were unable to find a match for the appendage.
“That’s pretty crazy to think about,” Nate Robinson, who regularly shops at the Walmart, told WHIO. “How do you not know whose finger is missing? There should be a body connected to that, right?”
Officers are examining “criminal and non-criminal scenarios” to determine to whom the finger belongs, according to police.
“During the preliminary investigation phase, the department exhausted all possibilities within nearby hospitals and is working with other law enforcement agencies in conjunction with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office,” police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sidney police at 937-498-2351.
Sidney is about 75 miles northwest of Columbus.
Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. He is a 2011 Western Kentucky University graduate who has previously worked at the Paducah Sun and Madisonville Messenger as a sports reporter and the Lexington Herald-Leader as a breaking news reporter. Support my work with a digital subscription
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
As Stanley tumblers continue to reign supreme in the water bottle industry, you don’t have to turn to Stanley for all your reusable bottle needs, especially since they retail for close to $50. However, as we all want to reduce our environmental footprint as much as possible, investing in some renewable canisters is an easy way to make a small, yet impactful change — and that doesn’t mean they have to break the bank.
Luckily, Walmart is selling plastic cups with lids that can be used again and again. Not to mention, the designs are perfect for adding some extra allure to your spring decor (and iced coffee season!)
For $2.98 each, the Easter Plastic Cup with a lid and a reusable straw features charming designs like flowers and orange carrots with the ability to hold 10 ounces of liquid. Crafted with food-grade plastic, the cups are durable and will last you for years to come. Not to mention, the lid creates a seal that will keep your drink fresh, prevent any messy spills, and fend off any dust from landing in your beverage. These would also be a perfect canister for children with their adorable patterns and spill-proof design.
The find was spotted by Instagrammer @walmartgems, and followers were loving the latest addition to the kitchenware section, calling them both “adorable” and “cute.” Although some users were feeling disappointed that the cups are made with plastic rather than a more environmentally-friendly glass. It’s important to keep in mind that the most sustainable products are the ones you already own, so if you choose to grab a few of these for your collection, love them and reuse them until you can’t anymore.
If you don’t have a Walmart close by or these have already sold out, you can snag a few of these on their website for the same price as in-store.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Grocery stores, like sports teams, have incredibly devoted followings. You’ve got your Costco-Heads, Trader Joe’s Buffs, Aldi Superfans, and a few Lidl Disciples, sure. Two very passionate (read: opinionated) sets of groupies belong to none other than a set of superstar superstores: Target and Walmart.
Pin both grocers against each other and it’s a real showdown for the ages. While it might seem like I’m comparing apples and oranges, both Target and Walmart are well-known for stocking, well, almost everything (like school supplies, fresh produce, and even giant jack-o’-lanterns named Lewis) and have earned a spot in many a one-stop-shoppers’ hearts.
Putting grocery retailers in head-to-head faceoffs has been endlessly fascinating to me lately (see: Aldi vs. Lidl, Aldi vs. Walmart, and Costco vs. Sam’s Club). Although I wasn’t prepared for how close a match-up it would be. Ultimately, it’s my hope that grocery shopping can take up space in your week not merely as a chore, but maybe even become a pleasant experience. Which is why I compared product variety, quality, prices, availability, and overall shopping experience to judge them as holistically as possible.
To keep things as equal as possible, I visited Southern California-based Walmart and Target locations — within two miles of each other — on the same Friday evening. Here’s how they stacked up.
This was a landslide win for Walmart for a few reasons. If you want name-brand items, Walmart’s got it. What if you want a store-brand version of those same items? Walmart also has it. On top of its deli, hot food section, and even a bakery, Walmart just simply has it all.
While Target’s own in-house brands are expanding wildly, they’ve still got a bit of catching up to do — Walmart has been in the grocery game for noticeably longer (the superstore started carrying groceries in 1988, whereas Target only began selling select items, like snacks and drinks, in 1995; it didn’t add fresh groceries to the mix until 2009). I also love that Walmart has a huge stock of specialty items that I typically have to go to my local Asian or Latin market to stock up on, like soba noodles, large bottles of Valentina hot sauce, and my favorite Hello Panda cookies.
Winner: Walmart has variety for days, plus plenty of store-brand equivalents of popular standbys.
Strolling through both stores, there was a clear distinction in terms of quality. Some items at Walmart looked like they had been opened and snacked on (including cartons of berries!), a bag or two of spinach looked a bit past their prime, and frozen broccoli was stem-heavy. Target has been the opposite experience. More often than not, I’ve found that Target’s grocery products are not only great but also priced low enough that it feels like a steal.
Anecdotally, I’ve yet to return any food item to Target based on quality alone. Conversely, I’ve had to return a few items to Walmart over the years because they weren’t nearly as tasty as the equivalents I’ve gotten at Target.
Winner:Target. Simply put, Target is right in the sweet spot of great prices and great quality. Shopping there also saves me from making any unexpected returns.
For prices, I chose eight of my weekly staples to see how they’d fare against each other. To keep things as equal as possible, I visited a Walmart and a Target that were within two miles of each other on the same day.
Winner: Tie! Okay, technically Target was cheaper, but it really can vary based on what items you’re grabbing. Plus, keep in mind that two items (frozen chicken nuggets and bagged spinach) were noticeably smaller than Walmart’s version, and not always the better deal. If you prefer name-brand items, Walmart was also noticeably cheaper. If store-brand is, to quote Ina, “fine,” Target is a solid bet. In this case, I’d call this a tie for both Target and Walmart.
Where there’s product quality (and deals), there should also be plenty of items on the shelf. As was the case for Target, it just simply didn’t have it all in spades, with many staples (like avocados and gallons of milk) being empty on a Friday evening. Getting to the store is sometimes a slog, so it helps if you don’t have to make any added stops to grab the basics.
Winner: Walmart’s plentiful, overflowing shelves get the “W” here!
Overall Shopping Experience
From the availability of staff, cleanliness of the store, and plentiful checkouts, Target is top-notch in my book. Moving through Target was also easier compared to Walmart, with less dodging of shopping carts and little to no bottle-necking from store staff restocking shelves. I also give Target major points for always seeming to have an element of surprise on the shelves, with tons of new-to-me items under its store-brand lines (like Favorite Day sourdough loaves and Good & Gather jalapeño cream cheese wontons).
Winner: Target really makes grocery shopping pretty joyful — so much so that my friends mock how often I end up at the retailer during the week (and not just for canned black beans).
Do you prefer grocery shopping at Target or Walmart? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Vizio TVs on display in a Walmart store in Miami, Florida. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Walmart may be making its foray into the streaming and connected TV business. The retail giant is in talks to acquire smart TV maker Vizio in a deal worth more than $2 billion, the Wall Street Journal first reported yesterday (Feb. 13). Though neither company confirmed the report, the news sent Vizio’s stock to surge more than 3o percent in yesterday’s afternoon trading, boosting its market cap to above $1.9 billion.
Vizio, founded and led by Taiwanese American entrepreneur William Wang, sells a line of affordable smart TVs (some priced under $250) that include a free, ad-supported streaming service. It’s a director competitor to Roku, which owns about half of the U.S.’s connected TV (CTV) and over-the-top (OTT) streaming market. Other major players in this market include Apple TV, Amazon’s fireTV and Google’s chromecast. Vizio also competes with traditional TV makers like TCL or Hisense.
Walmart’s reported interest in acquiring Vizio sent Roku’s stock down nearly 9 percent yesterday. It’s still significantly larger than Vizio, with a market cap of nearly $13 billion.
Both Vizio and Roku devices are available in Walmart stores. Walmart also sells its own line of connected TVs called Onn TV, which is powered by Roku’s operating system. Roku said in its 2022 annual report that Walmart and Amazon combined accounted for nearly 60 percent of its devices revenue, so the prospect of Walmart acquiring a Roku competitor signals threat to the smart TV leader.
Connected TVs are a lucrative ad revenue channel for streaming companies, because many of these devices come with built-in ad-supported streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. The potential deal “underscores the massive opportunity for the CTV industry to drive ad dollars away from traditional linear television to CTV,” Alicia Reese, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, wrote in a research note today cited by Variety.
Reese remains optimistic that Roku will be able to keep its leading position in the CTV market because it also builds the operating system for many CTVs. “As Roku continues to expand its market share (Roku has 25 percent market share of CTV operating systems), it will become an important partner for many e-commerce partners, particularly those that do not want to advertise on competitor platforms such as Walmart’s, Amazon’s, or Google’s,” the analyst wrote in her note.
Last year, Vizio launched a branded content studio as part of its expansion into streaming. Over the past 12 month, viewing hours on Vizio’s WatchFree+ streaming service has more than doubled, the company said. Last week, Vizio expanded WatchFree+ to include more than 300 channels and 15,000 titles. It has also announced plans to deepen content partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Electric Entertainment, Sony and Lionsgate.
