Here’s what we know about the US-China tariff agreement

The United States and China have reached a dramatic agreement to drastically lower tariffs, signaling a major de-escalation in their prolonged trade war. The two nations slashed tariffs by 115 percentage points and implemented a mechanism to prevent future tariff hikes, potentially ending the tit-for-tat conflict that had crippled trade and driven up prices. This breakthrough, brokered in Geneva, marks a turning point that could restore supply chains and bring relief to businesses and consumers on both sides.

CNN Business

The AI mistake companies are making

Many companies are falling short with AI because they focus too much on flashy technology and not enough on transforming how people work, says Sylvain Duranton of BCG X. He recommends allocating just 10% of AI efforts to algorithms, 20% to tech integration, and a whopping 70% to changing workflows and culture—a formula many businesses overlook. Instead of launching dozens of minor AI projects, Duranton urges companies to double down on a few mission-critical initiatives, like optimizing store inventory or creating next-gen AI shopping agents, and to invest in strong leadership and change management to truly scale success.

Business Insider

Retail’s New Eyes: How Computer Vision Is Quietly Revolutionizing the In-Store Experience

Computer vision is redefining retail by acting as a store's sixth sense—analyzing everything from shopper behavior to shelf stock in real-time. From powering frictionless checkout experiences like Amazon Go to enhancing loss prevention, managing inventory, and enabling AR-driven virtual try-ons, this technology is transforming how stores operate and engage customers. As the tech improves over time, retailers who delay adoption risk falling far behind in efficiency, personalization, and profitability.

Netguru

Albertsons vs. Kroger: Can Collaboration Replace the Failed Merger

The $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons has crumbled into a costly legal brawl, with each side blaming the other for its collapse. As lawsuits replace boardroom strategy, experts warn that both grocers risk falling further behind retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. Rather than continue this billion-dollar blame game, the companies may be better off pursuing strategic collaboration — not ownership — to regain focus on customers, competition, and innovation.

ISN Magazine

Preventing Burnout in The Security Industry

Half of the global workforce experiences burnout, yet many companies still fall short in turning mental health awareness into meaningful workplace change. This Mental Health Month, the security industry is urged to prioritize action by creating inclusive environments built on psychological safety, managerial support, and equal opportunity. From on-the-job mentorship to fair policies and mental health resources, lasting impact requires consistent effort—not just social media posts.

Security Magazine

1 in 4 employees face customer aggression weekly –

what can leaders do to help?

A disturbing trend has emerged in customer-facing workplaces that demands our immediate attention: a staggering 25 per cent of frontline employees now face customer aggression at least weekly – a significant jump from 18 per cent in 2022.

As leaders, these aren’t just statistics to note in quarterly reports; they represent the lived experience of our teams, the same people we expect to represent our brands with positivity and professionalism despite facing regular abuse.

Perhaps most concerning is that nearly one-third (29 per cent) of employees who experience aggression report receiving no support from their employers. This disconnect between workplace reality and organisational response creates a perfect storm of disengagement, burnout, and ultimately, talent exodus.

The changing face of workplace violence

The traditional understanding of workplace violence as purely physical is dangerously outdated. Today’s occupational violence and aggression (OVA) encompasses verbal abuse, intimidation, racial vilification, and sexual harassment. As Katie Alexander, principal consultant psychologist at Australian Psychological Services, powerfully articulates: “It’s not part of the job to be harmed by it.”

Yet for many frontline workers, enduring abuse has become normalised, an unspoken expectation embedded in customer-facing roles. This normalisation represents a collective failure of leadership.

[HR Leader]

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Retail theft is on the rise. How come we never talk about the real reasons why? | Opinion

Why not address the underlying causes of retail theft? Just look at Wisconsin’s meager minimum wage.

Aside from high prices, one of my biggest annoyances while shopping is finding an item locked in a display case. If you’re out shopping this weekend, chances are you’ll encounter sticker shock along with padlocked products.

To access items in a case, you must press a button and wait for assistance or track down a worker to have them open the case for you. In most instances, if it takes too long for a worker to help me, I’ll leave and go to a different store.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Family Dollar now on Uber Eats after closing hundreds of stores, amid pending sale

Family Dollar and Uber are teaming up months after Dollar Tree announced that it's selling the bargain store to focus on its growth.

According to a May 6 news release, Uber announced that Family Dollar would be added to the list of stores customers can order groceries and other goods from on Uber Eats, the company's food delivery app.

The announcement comes months after Dollar Tree confirmed it would be selling Family Dollar to private equity firms Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management, and over a year after the parent company announced it would permanently close the doors of 600 Family Dollar stores in the U.S.

USA Today

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon takes retailers to task for using ‘lawfare’ to bring down merchant fees

Retail Brew

Are You Missing the Bigger Picture?

Think Purchek® Technology is just about stopping pushouts? Think again. Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® solution, paired with Theft Investigative Services and Cart Analytics, offers retailers powerful insights that go far beyond loss prevention. Discover how you can use real-time data to refine merchandising, optimize staffing, manage emergency exits, and improve the customer experience—all while fostering collaboration across departments. Unlock the true potential of your store with our latest blog: Five Overlooked Ways Gatekeeper’s Insights Can Transform Your Store.

Watchdog to retail workers: Handling paper receipts may be hazardous

Retail workers may be exposed to unsafe levels of a hormone-disrupting chemical when touching paper receipts for as little as 10 seconds, a nonprofit watchdog group cautions in a new report.

The Center for Environmental Health notes that some paper receipts have high levels of the chemical bisphenol S, which can be absorbed through the skin.

Safety + Health

Grandmother died after eating mislabeled cookie, family claims in lawsuit against grocery store

A Washington family is suing Safeway over the death of Margaret Jean Bryant, 78, who they say died after eating a mislabeled peanut butter cookie.

"Margaret Jean Bryant has been permanently deprived of her ability to watch her children and grandchildren grow up with her loving husband of nearly 60 years," according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

FOX Business

Security Officers Prevented Mass Shooting, Shielded Fellow Officer Amid Gunfire

In a moment charged with imminent danger, two DSI Security Services officers displayed extraordinary heroism, embodying the highest ideals of the security profession during an attempted mass shooting at a poultry processing plant in Mississippi.

Security Officer Jonathan Langley took swift and decisive action when a disgruntled former employee, armed with an assault rifle, returned to the facility with the clear intent to inflict mass harm. 

Security Today

Corporate Asset Protection Solutions Manager - Ahold Delhaize

The primary purpose of this position is responsible for leading the Corporate Asset Protection Solutions function within ADUSA by delivering innovative solutions across the organization. This role also helps to develop and coordinate standards for the administration and ongoing operations necessary to ensure a best-in class, consistent, efficient, and connected security systems program. This role plans and designates project resources, prepares budgets, develops tools, monitors progress and keeps stakeholders informed. Works to maximize results obtained from new and emerging technologies.

Modernizing The Convenience Retail Sector

The IGD Global Convenience Trends Report 2025 revealed significant changes ahead for the convenience retail sector. Sales are projected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2029.

This growth is fuelled by five key trends: Tech Evolution, Food Mission, Shifting Space, Targeted Value and Striving for Better.

The convenience channel will remain the third-largest modern trade channel over the next five years, but will face intense competition. 

Supermarket News

Employee theft in the workplace

Employee theft can take many forms and employers should take several steps to make sure they’re prepared.

Employers are shocked when long-term, supposedly loyal employees steal from them.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal appeals court serving Iowa and some other Midwestern states) recently ruled in a case involving a long term former Cargill manager who embezzled over $25 million over eight years.

The Gazette

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