News Briefs

With prices remaining high, consumers are doing their due diligence at the grocery store.

According to a new survey from Talker Research, a quarter of shoppers admit that they often get overwhelmed with choices in the grocery store, and more than half (54%) feel pressure to always try and make the “right” purchase. 

The survey found that the average shopper spends four minutes deliberating each item, and nearly a third (32%) spend longer than that. Seven-in-10 of those surveyed want to be “100% certain” that every item in their cart is right for them.

Among the 36% who report having “aisle anxiety” (or anxiety during the decision-making process) at the grocery store, being overwhelmed by different options and being crowded by others are the top causes.

[READ MORE: Numerator: Categories, retailers with highest private label sales are…]

More than a third (36%) consider themselves to be “product detectives” who research the items they plan on purchasing by inspecting labels, packaging and certifications. Forty-percent of consumers in the Talker Research survey said that they research food products more today than they did five years ago, with “healthier for you” (38%), non-toxic or “clean” (20%) products being top-of-mind. Sustainable (45%), purpose-driven (40%) and ethical (38%) items are also high on the list for “product detectives.”

Many shoppers said that as long as their decisions feel like the best for themselves (42%) and give them a “clear conscience” (30%), the time spent investigating the product is well worth it.

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American adults for its report, which was commissioned by organic tea brand Traditional Medicinals.

The Home Depot continues to expand its offerings as it looks to grow its business and better serve professional contractors (pros) across their entire project.

The home improvement giant said it has completed the acquisition of GMS Inc. through its specialty trade distribution subsidiary, SRS Distribution Inc. The total enterprise value, including net debt, of the deal was approximately $5.5 billion.  (Home Depot purchased SRS for about $18.25 billion in 2024.)

GMS is a leading distributors of specialty building products including drywall, ceilings, steel framing and other complementary products related to remodeling and construction projects in residential and commercial end markets. Together GMS and SRS will provide a unique value proposition to serve the residential and commercial pro more holistically, including with more fulfillment and service options, Home Depot stated in a release.

“The addition of GMS further enhances SRS's position as a leading multi-category building materials distributor, bringing differentiated capabilities, product categories and customer relationships that are highly complementary to SRS's business today," said Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot. "We want to serve the Pro across their entire project, and the combination of SRS and GMS will enable cross-selling synergies, strengthen our capabilities, and bring even more opportunities to grow with this important customer."

At the end of the second quarter, the Home Depot operated more than 2,353 stores, over 800 branches and more than 325 distribution centers that directly fulfill customer orders across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Gap Inc. is entering one of retail’s most resilient categories as its looks to diversify and expand its offerings beyond apparel. 

The retailer is expanding into beauty with a phased launch, beginning with its Old Navy division. In what it called an initial “test-and-learn,” a curated assortment of beauty and personal care products will be featured in 150 Old Navy stores starting in late fall. Select locations will also offer dedicated shop-in-shops and beauty associates.

Gap said it plans to scale its Old Navy beauty business next year, as well as launch “brand-right” expressions across its portfolio. 

In announcing the move, Gap noted that the beauty and personal care market is one of the fastest growing and most resilient retail categories in the U.S. It is expected to surpass $100 billion in 2025, according to Euromonitor.

Accessories

The company said it is planning to apply the same strategic methodology to expand its accessories business, which has experienced “strong customer reception” to its existing products. The retailer described the category as a :key element of wardrobing and a natural extension of apparel, complementing customers’ lifestyles and shopping behaviors.”

Gap’s latest moves come as the company has experienced a revivial in the two years under the leadership of CEO Richard Dickson, who arrived in August 2023.

“This momentum is enabling Gap Inc. to seize exciting opportunities for growth and innovation, helping ensure the company remains competitive and successful in the future,” the company stated.

Walmart is continuing to expand its presence in the collectibles space with a new live shopping offering.

The discount giant is partnering with sports card and collectibles community WeTheHobby to host a new weekly series, "Collector’s Night," streaming exclusively on its Walmart Live livestream platform every Thursday evening beginning Sep. 4 at 6 p.m. ET.

The series will include features such as live box breaks, surprise giveaways, and exclusive drops. Walmart has been increasingly  targeting the collectibles space, a prime market for eBay, in response to internal data showing trading card sales have grown more than 200% year-over-year on Walmart Marketplace.

Walmart recently made its first-ever appearance at the National Sports Collectors Convention in August 2025, recently hosted its third annual Walmart Collector-Con digital event and plans to appear at major collectible gatherings this year. 

[READ MORE: Walmart takes on eBay in collectibles space]

Walmart Marketplace is also offering increased access to graded singles, sealed boxes, sports memorabilia, coins, comics, and other items. 

"Collectibles represent a critical and exciting area of investment and growth for Walmart," said Mayank Hajela, GM collectibles, Walmart U.S. “With demand continuing to surge, we’re committed to building experiences that not only serve collectors but redefine what they expect from us. Collector’s Night’ is a powerful step forward in making Walmart a true destination for this growing category.”

Walmart and TalkShopLive first partnered in 2021 for shoppable livestream events, and have jointly hosted over 150 live shopping experiences since, including a special Cyber Monday 2024 shoppable livestream hosted by country superstar Dolly Parton.

Meanwhile, eBay recently unveiled its first-ever public sale of PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)-graded comic books on its own eBay Live livestream shopping platform. 

(Photo credit: Patrick Hatt)

The OnePay app is reportedly looking to become a one-stop stop for its users.

That’s according to a report by CNBC,  which said the fintech firm, which is majority owned by Walmart, is launching its own branded wireless plan in partnership with mobile services startup Gigs. Called OnePay Wireless, the service will be available starting Sept. 4, the report said.

The plan costs $35 a month for unlimited 5G data, talk and text on the AT&T network, according to CNBC, which said OnePay confirmed the launch and declined to comment further.

In another addition to the OnePay app, the company in June said that, in partnership with financial services company Synchrony, it was teaming up with Walmart and Mastercard to launch a credit card program. The program is expected to launch in fall 2025, embedded inside the OnePay app and supported by the Mastercard global payments network. It will be made available to Walmart customers as well as to consumers across the U.S.

OnePay offers include high-yield savings accounts, buy now pay later services and a digital wallet with peer-to-peer payments.

Wrestling is once again back at America’s largest shopping and entertainment complex.

Mall of America is celebrating 30 years since the historic debut of WCW Monday Nitro, which aired live from the Huntington Bank Rotunda and featured wrestling legends including Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and Sting. To honor that night, Minnesota’s F1RST Wrestling created the Saturday Night Nitro series. Now in its fourth year, Saturday Night Nitro returns to Mall of America.

Festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 5, with F1RST Wrestling Fan Fest from 6–9 p.m. at The Fair on 4 inside Mall of America. Fans will have the chance to meet their favorite F1RST Wrestling stars in a lively setting featuring axe throwing, indoor go-karts, delicious food, and craft cocktails.

The following day on Saturday, Sept. 6, Saturday Night Nitro will take place at 7 p.m. at the Huntington Bank Rotunda. This all-ages, ticketed event will feature international wrestling talent alongside F1RST Wrestling fan favorites in a “high-energy showcase.”

[READ MORE: 40-plus WWE wrestlers to do a SummerSlam takeover at American Dream]

For a full breakdown of the event including ticket options and prices, fans can click here.

At 5.6 million sq. ft., Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minn., is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants, and several entertainment attractions.