Walmart to Hire 150,000 Associates to Serve Customers for Holidays (and Beyond)

As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, we’re planning to hire approximately 150,000 new U.S. store associates, most of them permanent, full-time positions across the country. This will ensure we’re ready to help customers shop however they want, whether they’re in a store, using curbside pickup or shopping online.

We’re always looking to add great talent to our incredible team of dedicated associates – the every day heroes who have been a constant force for good in their communities amidst the uncertainty of...

ANALYSIS: USDA Weekly Eggs Processed Numbers Climb, Driven by Manufacturing Needs

Shell Eggs Processed Under Federal Inspection came in at 1,554,781 cases for the week ending August 21st, according to data released yesterday afternoon by the USDA—an increase of...

July Retail Sales Slow Amid Tight Supply Chain but Demand Continues

Retail sales slowed during July as retailers continued to face supply chain disruptions and increased COVID-19 vaccinations allowed consumers to shift some spending from goods to activities like going out to dinner and traveling despite the delta variant, the National Retail Federation said today.

“July retail sales showed slight deceleration in spending, but nothing to derail our outlook for a record year,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Though the delta variant is presenting health challenges while supply chain disruptions along with unfilled job openings are presenting..."

PODCAST: UK Beef Chats Episode 23

This week on UK Beef Chats, market expert Mike Nesbitt updates us on supply chain pressure on the UK market and availability for product, retail and summer barbeque demand, sporting events supporting meat sales and more.

ANALYSIS: Production Cuts, Demand Improvements Lift Shell Egg Values for First Time Since March

After what several market sources have referred to as the longest “dry spell” in recent memory, production cuts and demand improvements have...

May Retail Sales Reach Near-Record Level Despite Monthly Decline

Retail sales remained at elevated levels in May despite month-to-month fluctuations that masked near-record performance, the National Retail Federation said.

“While May retail sales were down slightly, largely due to supply chain constraints, the more accurate indicator remains in the year-over-year data which, as the NRF calculates, showed growth of over 17 percent,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “For the first five months of this year, retail sales are already tracking 17.6 percent above the same five months of 2020, giving us further confidence in our newly revised sales forecast of growth between 10.5 percent and 13.5 percent to more than $4.44 trillion for 2021. While there are downside risks related to...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Inventories Mount as Proposition 12 Deadline Draws Closer

While cage-free inventories have been steadily climbing over the past several years as producers prepare for the forthcoming deadlines, USDA data shows they’ve begun to increase at a faster pace in recent weeks, surging...

ANALYSIS: Egg Prices Sink to Under a Dollar as Inventories Climb to a Near-Record High

For the first time since mid-January, shell egg prices have once again dropped below the dollar mark amid disappointing retail sales and mounting...

PODCAST: UK Beef Chats Episode 14

UK Beef Market Reporter Mike Nesbitt discusses inflationary pressure on beef pricing, an uptick in imported items and retail demand, and commodity prices rising across the board.

ANALYSIS: 2021 – A Strong Start for Pork Trim

Most pork trimmings have noted a fully adequate to modestly firmer tone throughout the start of 2021 due to strong demand and...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Surge to Nine-Month High Amid Demand Increases, Flock Rotations

Shell egg prices have climbed to the highest levels seen since mid-April, thanks to extraordinarily robust retail demand, strong international call and...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Rise Amid Strong Retail Demand, Seasonal Flock Rotations

After holding steady for more than two weeks, shell egg prices got a push to the upside today amid strong retail demand and...

COVID-19 Impacts the Turkey Market this Thanksgiving 

As coronavirus restrictions continue to impact our daily lives, it seems the holidays will be no exception. Retail and foodservice attempted to adapt to these unprecedented changes this Thanksgiving, by promoting deals with smaller birds or meals that feature turkey items instead of a whole bird.

Restaurants like Denny’s brought back its family-style Turkey and Dressing Dinner Pack, which included a carved turkey breast and sides portioned for four people. Cracker Barrel added multiple holiday meal options to the menu, with Thanksgiving meal offerings that serve...

ANALYSIS: Shell Egg Prices Drop Amid Lackluster Thanksgiving Demand, Slowing Foodservice

After holding steady for nearly a month, shell egg prices have come under pressure this week amid lackluster Thanksgiving demand and...