Latest news with #Walmart
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AI personal shoppers hunt down bargain buys
Internet giants are diving deeper into e-commerce with digital aides that know shoppers' likes, let them virtually try clothes on, hunt for deals and even place orders. The rise of virtual personal shoppers springs from generative artificial intelligence (AI) being put to work in "agents" specializing in specific tasks and given autonomy to complete them independently. "This is basically the next evolution of shopping experiences," said CFRA Research analyst Angelo Zino. Google last week unveiled shopping features built into a new "AI Mode". It can take a person's own photo and meld it with that of a skirt, shirt or other piece of clothing spotted online, showing how it will look on them. The AI adjusts the clothing size to fit, accounting for how fabrics drape, according to Google head of advertising and commerce Vidhya Srinivasan. Shoppers can then set the price they would pay and leave the AI to relentlessly browse the internet for a deal -- alerting the shopper when it finds one, and asking if it should buy using Google's payment platform. "They're taking on Amazon a little bit," Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart said of Google. The tool is also a way to make money from AI by increasing online traffic and opportunities to show ads, Greengart added. The Silicon Valley tech titan did not respond to a query regarding whether it is sharing in revenue from shopping transactions. - Bartering bots? - OpenAI added a shopping feature to ChatGPT earlier this year, enabling the chatbot to respond to requests with product suggestions, consumer reviews and links to merchant websites. Perplexity AI late last year began letting subscribers pay for online purchases without leaving its app. Amazon in April added a "Buy for Me" mode to its Rufus digital assistant, allowing users to command it to make purchases at retailer websites off Amazon's platform. Walmart head of technology Hari Vasudev recently spoke about adding an AI agent to the retail behemoth's online shopping portal, while also working with partners to make sure their digital agents keep Walmart products in mind. Global payment networks Visa and Mastercard in April each said their technical systems were modernized to allow payment transactions by digital agents. "As AI agents start to take over the bulk of product discovery and the decision-making process, retailers must consider how to optimize for this new layer of AI shoppers," said Elise Watson of Clarkston Consulting. Retailers are likely to be left groping in the dark when it comes to what makes a product attractive to AI agents, according to Watson. - Knowing the customer - Analyst Zino does not expect AI shoppers to cause an e-commerce industry upheaval, but he does see the technology benefitting Google and Meta. Not only do the Internet rivals have massive amounts of data about their users, but they are also among frontrunners in the AI race. "They probably have more information on the consumer than anyone else out there," Zino said of Google and Meta. Tech company access to data about users hits the hot-button issue of online privacy and who should control personal information. Google plans to refine consumer profiles based on what people search for and promises that shoppers will need to authorize access to additional information such as email or app use. Trusting a chatbot with one's buying decisions may spook some people, and while the technology might be in place the legal and ethical framework for it is not. "The agent economy is here," said PSE Consulting managing director Chris Jones. "The next phase of e-commerce will depend on whether we can trust machines to buy on our behalf." tu/gc/st
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
TSA warns travelers of scams in the airport
HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — We all have our routine when we travel, and for many, that looks like charging up your phone before you board your flight. Although the reality is that scammers are everywhere, and they are using this as a way to steal your information. Salmonella outbreak: Cucumber products sold at Walmart, Kroger stores recalled 'Somebody might have left a USB cord, and you're like, 'Oh, wow, this is great….I don't have mine with me…. let me just plug in here,'' said Karen Reeves. 'That's where the malware can be downloaded, either in the cord or the actual USB port.' The TSA is now warning travelers of scammers who are using a tactic known as 'juice jacking.' 'That is where you might plug in to a public port, maybe at the airport, and malware is downloaded onto your phone or someone access your, accesses your sensitive information,' said Reeves. She is the CEO of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama. She said you should stay away from group charging ports and only plug into the individual port under your seat. 'Bring your own charger with you,' she said. 'Keep that phone locked while you're charging. Another thing, keep your software updated because that's what will help protect your phone and your information as well.' 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. If you can, she said bringing your own portable charger is the safest method. When it comes to Wi-Fi, she said scammers can also get your personal information if you are on the free, public Wi-Fi. 'Avoid pubic Wi-Fi because you don't know who has access to that, and anyone could access your information,' she said. She recommends you set up a personal hotspot. If you see any type of scam, they ask that you report it to 'Scam Tracker.' You can find it on the Better Business Bureau website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Walmart Expands Into Fuel—And It's More Than Just Gas
Walmart is rolling into the fuel business in a big way, and the move could reshape its rivalry with Costco. With plans to open more than 45 new gas stations across the U.S. this year, Walmart is flexing its muscles in a space traditionally dominated by warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club. 'As EVs remain a long-term play, gas is still king,' said Joe Camberato, CEO of 'The switch to electric vehicles isn't happening overnight, and retailers know there's money to be made from traditional fuel for years to come.' Walmart's new gas stations, set to operate at stores without Murphy USA pumps, will boost its total fuel footprint to over 450 locations across 34 states, Quartz reported. The company is offering low prices at the pump and up to 10 cents per gallon off for Walmart+ members. It's a classic one-stop-shop strategy aimed at bolstering customer loyalty and driving foot traffic. 'Walmart's fuel expansion signals an effort to rival Costco's highly successful gas business, which made up around 12% of its total sales in 2024,' said Usha Haley, an international business expert at Wichita State University. The key difference? Walmart's stations are open to everyone, unlike Costco's members-only model. But Costco isn't standing still. Earlier this year, CEO Rob Vachris announced the company would extend hours at its members-only fuel centers, keeping most locations open until 10 p.m. It's a move designed to deepen loyalty and capture more sales as EV adoption remains watchers say the battle isn't just about gas. With inflation, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions hitting margins, retailers like Walmart and Costco are leaning into fuel as a reliable revenue stream. And with Walmart openly acknowledging that tariffs on Chinese goods could impact prices, low-priced gas is one way to keep customers coming back. 'The rise of EVs will eventually change the game,' said Manish Choudhary of SymphonyAI. 'But for now, these retailers are competing for a bigger slice of the fuel pie, and Walmart's latest move is a clear signal of intent.' Walmart Expands Into Fuel—And It's More Than Just Gas first appeared on Men's Journal on May 27, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Murder charges reveal horrific injuries as mother is accused in death of toddler son
A Moorhead mother has been charged with murder following the death of her 20-month-old child earlier this month. Valerie Zamora, 32, has been charged with 2nd-degree murder after her son, Jose, died at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo on May 15, having been brought to the hospital by Zamora. Warning: The following contains upsetting details. Police had been called shortly after Jose died as his body showed signs of bruising. Detectives who arrived at the hospital "noted various bruising all over the victim and that the [boy's] belly was distended." An autopsy later revealed the boy's death was the result of "complications of blunt force injuries due to assault," with Jose suffering a number of bruises to his abdomen, head , face, jaw/neck, chest, arm, back, and legs. He had a perforated bowel, hemorrhages to the liver and pancreas, and healing rib fractures. Interviewing Zamora at the scene, she said her son woke up on the morning of May 15 and was vomiting. After she gave him Tylenol and Gatorade, the boy "basically" slept all day, but said she noticed he was breathing different and "not acting like himself," according to the charges. She explained the bruising by claiming he bruises easily. Zamora said she lives at a home with Jose, her two other children, and an individual referred to in the complaint as DEP. She said on the evening of May 15, she drove to Walmart in Dilworth with DEP to get her son Pedialyte, but while she was in the store, DEP came in to tell her Jose was vomiting blood, at which point she "sped" to the hospital. But the complaint says Zamora's story began to change regarding how sick he had been leading up to his arrival at the hospital, saying that the vomiting had actually started a day earlier and got progressively worse, to the point he was vomiting "a black or dark substance." She claims she told DEP they should take the boy to the hospital, but she didn't seek medical care until at the Walmart. Police spoke with several neighbors, friends, and Zamora's two other children, who said they had seen the boy during the day of May 15 and said they told Zamora she needed to take him to the hospital, and later told her to call an ambulance. One of her children told police she got home from school and "immediately noticed" her younger brother needed medical care, and told Zamora to take him to the hospital, saying he was "struggling to breathe and cold." The girl told police she was worried her brother was going to die in her arms. When she came to be interviewed four days after her son's death, Zamora's "timeline of the events leading up the death continued to change," the complaint claims. "Defendant was adamant that she did not hurt the victim however she admitted that she did not take him for medical care initially because she said it was 'obviously neglect' and was afraid social services would take her children away," it continues. "Notes from medical personnel at the hospital indicate when the victim was brought into the lobby, the victim was pale, clammy, cold and pulseless."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas small business recognized by Walmart on National Small Business Month
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This month is National Small Business Month, which makes it a perfect time for workers at Fire and Smoke Society to celebrate what they've been doing nationally from right here in the Natural State. The company makes seasonings and rubs for meat and other foods. CEO Brian Taylor said Walmart helped launch the company by putting the product on shelves. Small businesses can capitalize on Small Business Saturday with some planning 'I think the fact that we're manufactured in the U.S. is something that we're super proud of,' Taylor said. On Wednesday, Taylor's company and team was recognized by Walmart during National Small Business Month. Michael Lindsey with Walmart said two-thirds of the products on shelves are either made, grown or assembled in the United States, and over half of all products are made by small businesses. 'It helps Walmart by providing a diversity of suppliers from around the country to put great products on our shelves. That 60% of the products we sell are made by small businesses,' Lindsey said. Small business owners feel more uncertain about the future For Taylor, being able to be a part of that number means a lot. And he's hoping his small business story will rub off onto others. 'A lot of people in Arkansas still don't know we exist,' Taylor said, 'To kind of get that recognition and local leaders here today supporting us was really gratifying.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
