Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift at AP. “…does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under U.S. law. But it does change the way it’s regulated, shifting licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I — reserved for drugs without medical use and with high potential for abuse — to the less strictly regulated Schedule III.” Read more

 

Americans cut spending due to higher gas prices and see no relief in sight at CNBC. “About 60% of respondents have cut back on entertainment like eating out, movies and concerts to save money. More than 50% plan to travel less. Around 40% are spending less on essential items like groceries and medical care.” Read more

 

SNAP benefits don’t pay for rotisserie chicken. A bipartisan bill might change that at AP. “…senators this week introduced what they’re calling the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, which would make the supermarket staple an eligible purchase under (SNAP)…“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” said Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania…” Read more

 

lululemon Names Ex-Nike Exec Heidi O’Neill as CEO “… over 25 years at Nike…She served most recently as President, Consumer, Product & Brand…” Press release

 

Sam’s Club Launches One Hour Delivery for $10 “…one hour or less service at a flat $10 for Plus members / $22 for Club members…traditional three hours or less service…$5 for Plus members / $17 for Club members on eligible items…(started) fleet-wide rollout of the enhanced service across 600-plus clubs on April 2…” Press release

 

The Comeback of the Physical Store – and What it Means for Your Business Harvard Business Review subs. 

 

UPS Doesn’t Want to Deliver Every Package, but It Really Likes Returning Them at WSJ. “A UPS business unit called Happy Returns, a software and logistics subsidiary that handles returns for retailers, is adding another 1,700 locations where consumers can drop off their returns. The addition brings its nationwide network to a total of 10,000 locations…” WSJ subs.

 

Best Buy to be led by 26-year company veteran Jason Bonfig when CEO Corrie Barry steps down on 10/31/26 Press release

 

Walmart Leads U.S. Supermarkets In Awareness; H-E-B Wins Loyalty at The Shelby Report. “Walmart leads all chains with a 36 percent awareness-to-preferred conversion rate, turning more than one in three people who know the brand into loyal advocates who name it their favorite supermarket…Kroger, Costco and Aldi also achieve strong awareness-to-preferred conversion rates at 13 percent, 11 percent and 11 percent, respectively.” Read more

 

North America’s 50 Best Bars Press release

 

Home Depot launches new customer service AI voice agent phone system “Early results from a 50-store pilot show that AI voice agents understand why a customer is calling in just 10 seconds, getting the customer to a solution four times faster than navigating traditional phone menus.” Press release