August 4, 2025

  • Nearly half of retailers are currently utilizing AI tech at least weekly, per Amperity data, and a whopping 97% plan to maintain or increase their AI investment in the next year (via BusinessWire).
  • BP has announced its largest oil and natural gas discovery in 25 years, located off the coast of Brazil. The company is engaged in a strategic shift to refocus energy on fossil fuels versus renewables (via CNN Business).
  • 80% of American consumers eat fast food at least once monthly. Nearly half (40%) eat fast food four times or more per month, according to Zappi data (via Chain Store Age).
  • Tesla has awarded CEO Elon Musk a $29 billion pay package, achieved through Musk’s heavily discounted purchase of company shares (via CNN Business).
  • Harley-Davidson has named former Topgolf CEO Arthur Starrs as its own chief executive officer, hoping to stem slowing demand for its motorcycles. Starrs resigned from his position at Topgolf in advance of the move (via Reuters).
  • Analyst calls today will see Nvidia, Teslaw, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Disney, Doordash and others report financials, as onlookers await financial details and insider commentary (via CNBC).
  • Walmart has transformed five of its delivery trucks into touring experiential retail spaces, with items on display being notable for not typically being thought of as within the retailer’s usual scope (via Chain Store Age).
  • Anthropologie is promoting its Maeve label to a standalone brand, complete with its own brick-and-mortar storefronts. The first store under the banner is slated to open in Raleigh, North Carolina (via PR Newswire).
  • IKEA is partnering with Best Buy, soon opening 10 mini showrooms inside of Best Buy locations based in Florida and Texas (via News8000).
  • El Pollo Loco CEO Liz Williams has indicated that while U.S. fast-food consumers would like to spend more, they remain financially constrained. “Consumers want to spend, or want to enjoy our products, but they’re limited on what they can spend,” she said (via Restaurant Business).