News Briefs

Optimism surrounding artificial intelligence usage in the human resources field has become widespread.

That’s according to a new survey of HR leaders and benefits decision-makers from Transcarent, which found that 98% of professionals are familiar with AI, and more than 90% are confident that the technology will have a positive impact on operations.

Transcarent says that HR leaders spend an outsized share of their time answering repetitive benefits questions, coordinating vendors, and managing compliance. According to the survey, 91% report frequent employee questions about benefits, 89% cite challenges coordinating multiple vendors, and 85% spend significant time on documentation and compliance.

More than three-quarters (77%) of HR leaders are currently using productivity tools like ChatGPT. Almost half (46%) of organizations using AI in benefits administration report real improvements, including higher wellness engagement and reduced employee leave.

“As a chief people officer, I not only want to bring great benefits to our employees and their families, but I also want them to use them. With AI, we can help more people use their benefits to their fullest and be healthier,” said Jennifer Trzepacz, chief people officer at Transcarent. “The survey shows that HR leaders know an effective implementation of AI for health and wellness requires partners that bring practical strategies to navigate risk, prioritize privacy and security, and maintain the trust of their employees.”

[READ MORE: Survey: Almost half of AI search tool users prefer them to Google]

Transcarent conducted the online survey in partnership with SurveyMonkey. Responses were collected from 1,340 U.S.-based HR and benefits decision-makers spanning industries such as technology, professional services, manufacturing, energy, retail and hospitality.

[READ MORE: Carhartt adds new channel to resale offering]

Founded in 1889, Carhartt is a family-owned and operated company, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., employing more than 3,000 associates worldwide.

Select Sam’s Club stores in Nashville recently provided customers an omnichannel tie-in with the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series open-wheel auto racing tournament.

Three Nashville Sam’s Club stores recently offered a two-day interactive experience called “Race to the Club” that included virtual racing simulators, a photo opportunity with an actual Indy car, brand demos and samples, and live music from country band Lanco. 

One store featured Andretti Global IndyCar racing team driver Kyle Kirkwood appearing to meet customers and sign autographs. In addition, at the Nashville Superspeedway Fan Zone, Sam’s Club hosted two days of interactive brand activations and Kirkwood debuted the sponsored No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda on race day.

Sam’s Club offered Race to the Club as part of its Sam’s Club Member Access Platform (MAP) retail media network. In April 2025, the retailer said it would start using first-party data to offer personalized experiences through an offering called MAP’s Omni Experiences.

[READ MORE: Sam’s Club creates personalized experiences via retail media network]

MAP’s Omni Experiences combines digital performance tactics like search and display with immersive experiences in and around media activations via channel, including online and in-store. These experiences can promote large-scale seasonal events, such as back-to-school, as well as smaller brand-led localized events. Race to the Club marked the debut of the offering.

"At MAP, our goal is simple: make shopping fun, meaningful and measurable," said Harvey Ma, VP and GM of Sam’s Club MAP. "Race to the Club captured that spirit perfectly. We created experiences our members will remember, delivered results our partners can see, and gave Nashville a taste of what’s to come as we continue to build the first Retail Experience Network."

Best Buy is running an October holiday-themed tech product promotion that overlaps Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event.

In an email to Chain Store Age, the consumer electronics giant announced that it will run a promotional event it is calling the "Techtober Sale" from Monday, Oct. 6 – Sunday, Oct. 12. The omnichannel extravaganza will include what Best Buy says will be some of the best deals of the fall on technology items like laptops, TVs, headphones, video games and electric bikes.

The sale will also feature deals on new products introduced through Best Buy’s recently launched online marketplace, including discounts on Halloween decor. New deals will be available every day as part of the sale, and all offers will be available through the Best Buy app and e-commerce site as well as in stores.

Best Buy is kicking off its holiday 2025 promotional campaign in late September with a 48-hour flash sale the weekend of Saturday, Sep. 27 – Sunday, Sep. 28 featuring special deals on products including laptops, headphones, e-bikes, cookware and small appliances.

And from Sep. 28 – Oct. 5, Best Buy will also host a member-exclusive sale specifically targeting participants in its My Best Buy Memberships loyalty program. The Techtober event will occur during the same week as Amazon’s fourth annual Prime Big Deal Days promotion, which takes place Oct. 7-8 and already has started offering early deals. 

[READ MORE: Amazon kicking off holidays with October Prime sales event]

Amazon bills the sale, which is only open to members of the paid Amazon Prime membership program and features exclusive deals across the online giant’s product assortment, as the official kickoff to its holiday sales season.

The newly-formed company that owns Schnucks Markets is expanding its footprint in Wisconsin via an acquisition.

The 1939 Group Inc. has entered into an agreement to purchase 100% of the shares of the Wisconsin-based parent company of Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers Inc. The sale is expected to be completed later in October, subject to customary review and approval.

Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers operate 51 stores throughout Wisconsin. Forty-two locations operate under the Skogen’s Festival Foods banner, while Hometown Grocers operates nine banners. Upon the sale’s closing, Schnucks chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck will become chairman and CEO of the 1939 Group, which said it is committed to maintaining the stores’ existing banners. 

The company plans to operate Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers as separate, sister companies with their own headquarters. 1939 Group and Schnucks are based in St. Louis, Mo., and Skogen’s Festival Foods’ and Hometown Grocers’ offices are located in Onalaska and Green Bay, Wis.

Upon completion of the purchase, the 1939 Group will operate three sister companies with a 164-store footprint across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and will employ a workforce of around 19,000.

“Our family is honored to be entrusted with the Skogen family legacy, one that began serving Wisconsin communities in 1946 and continued for decades under the leadership of Dave and Barb, and later, under Mark as CEO,” said Todd Schnuck. “Schnucks, Skogen’s Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers share a strikingly similar set of core values, tracing our success to decades of consistently focusing on the communities we serve, the values we share and the ongoing quest for excellence in grocery retail.”

 Schnucks currently operates 113 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. 

The newest addition to Amazon’s Essentials private label assortment is a collection of denim pieces aimed at young consumers.

In an email to Chain Store Age, Amazon said it has introduced a new denim collection available for under $50 as part of its Amazon Essentials private label offering. 

Amazon is debuting its new denim line in partnership with Gen Z influencers Kate Barlett and Luca Mornet. Products include denim jackets and wide-leg silhouettes, all available for less than $50. Customers can use Amazon’s size guide and fit technology help find the proper items.

[READ MORE: Amazon enhances fashion shopping with AI]

All products from the collection are eligible for Amazon’s same-day and one-day delivery options.

Amazon offers a variety of private label products, including budget items. In September 2024, the company rolled out Amazon Saver, which it calls a “no-frills” grocery essentials brand with most items priced less than $5. The assortment, which includes products such as crackers, cookies, canned fruit and condiments, is available in-store at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market as well as online.

Other examples include the Amazon Aware line of private label sustainable goods, including products in categories such as apparel, home, and beauty. All Amazon Aware goods are designed and made from materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton and bio-based ingredients.