​OpenAI is reworking its approach to artificial intelligence-driven shopping, stepping back from its earlier push into instant checkout and shifting toward an app-based retail model within ChatGPT. The move comes months after the company introduced a feature that allowed users to complete purchases directly inside the chatbot, a concept that initially attracted strong interest from major ecommerce players. Retailers such as Etsy, Walmart and Shopify had quickly aligned with the initiative,

Amazon has overtaken Walmart to become the world’s largest company by annual revenue, marking a historic shift in the long-running rivalry between the two retail giants. Walmart reported revenue of $713.2 billion for its most recent fiscal year, narrowly trailing Amazon’s $716.9 billion. The development had been anticipated for months after Amazon first exceeded Walmart in quarterly sales roughly a year ago, signaling a gradual but decisive change in the competitive landscape. W

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released an updated notice regarding a nationwide recall of shredded cheese products distributed to several major retail chains, including Aldi, Target, and Walmart. According to the agency, more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese may contain metal fragments, prompting officials to elevate their advisory and urge consumers to take immediate precautions. The update follows recent concerns in the dairy sector, including a separate recall involving Pr

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant threat it’s fast becoming an active part of India’s workforce. A recent Salesforce study warns that by 2027, AI could handle up to 50 percent of all tech support and customer service cases in the country. Currently managing around 30 percent, AI’s rapid expansion in the sector signals a major transformation in how companies handle customer interactions. The research suggests that while automation will replace repetitive roles, it will also

A new visa policy introduced under the Trump administration has sent shockwaves through the United States job market, particularly affecting international professionals and technology firms. The government now mandates that employers pay a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, a move officials claim will curb abuse of the visa system and encourage hiring of American citizens. However, the measure has been met with widespread criticism from business leaders and immigration advocates

Walmart Inc. has temporarily halted its job offers to candidates requiring H-1B work visas, according to people familiar with the company’s internal hiring policy. The decision follows the Trump administration’s recent move to impose a $100,000 application fee on new H-1B petitions — a significant shift in immigration policy that has prompted widespread reassessment among U.S. corporations employing international talent. The temporary hiring freeze primarily affects Walmart’

Salesforce announced plans to invest $15 billion in San Francisco over the next five years to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence among businesses. The move reinforces the company’s goal to remain a leading force in enterprise software as AI-driven tools become an essential part of global business operations. The technology giant, founded and headquartered in San Francisco since 1999, has steadily integrated AI across its suite of cloud-based products, including the

The wave of layoffs across global technology giants shows no sign of slowing down in 2025. Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are the latest to announce large-scale workforce reductions as artificial intelligence reshapes the tech industry. Salesforce revealed plans to cut hundreds of jobs in San Francisco and Seattle, attributing the decision to its AI platform Agentforce, which is no

Walmart has confirmed that its Neighborhood Market at 3112 Santa Rita Road will close on October 2. The store’s pharmacy will also shut down on the same date. Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield did not give a specific reason for the closure, but noted there are three Walmart locations within eight miles of the Pleasanton market including a full-service Walmart in Livermore and a newly remodeled Neighborhood Marke

The wave of tech layoffs in the United States shows no signs of slowing, with Oracle and Salesforce now joining the list of companies cutting hundreds of positions across major hubs. According to regulatory filings, the two software giants will eliminate more than 500 jobs in California’s Bay Area and nearly 200 positions in the Seattle region as part of their ongoing restructuring plans. Salesforce is laying o

Santa Clara County officials are preparing to propose a sales tax increase to voters in an effort to safeguard the county’s public hospital system from severe federal revenue losses. The Board of Supervisors is expected to convene a special meeting around August 7 to decide whether to place the measure on the November 4 ballot. The proposed five-eighths cent sales tax would raise the current rate from 9.125% and is seen as a crucial step to help offset billions in anticipated funding cu

Texas shoppers will soon enjoy a break on sales tax during one of the state’s most anticipated retail events of the year—the annual tax-free weekend. From Friday, August 8, through midnight on Sunday, August 10, 2025, qualifying purchases of certain items will be exempt from state and local sales tax. This initiative, created to help families during the back-to-school season, provides relief on a range of essentials, including clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies, provi

Amazon is set to extend its annual Prime Day event to four full days in 2025, marking the first time the company has taken this step since the shopping holiday was introduced in 2015. What began as a 24-hour promotional campaign to celebrate Amazon's anniversary has since grown into one of the most anticipated e-commerce events globally. This year, Amazon is not only spreading its deals across a longer period but is also tailoring special perks to attract younger shoppers, particularly those

Campbell’s financial future has been thrown into uncertainty as a legal battle over a voter-approved sales tax measure locks up millions of dollars in city revenue. The dispute revolves around Measure K, a half-cent sales tax increase approved by over 70 percent of voters last November. The tax raised the city's rate to 9.875 percent and was expected to generate roughly $7 million annually for essential city services. However, due to an active lawsuit challenging the measure’s le

Microsoft is reportedly preparing for another round of job cuts, with the Xbox division expected to bear the brunt of this restructuring. This move, anticipated to be announced early next week, marks what is set to be the fourth major layoff at the company in the past 18 months. The layoffs are part of a broader effort to reorganize Microsoft as the company approaches the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2025. Acco

Walmart is rolling out a major expansion of its drone delivery program, now reaching customers in Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, and Charlotte. This new phase brings the service to 100 additional stores, allowing customers to receive essential items like medication, snacks, and baby products by drone in 30 minutes or less. Operated by Wing, a drone company owned by Google’s parent Alphabet, this expansion aims to compete directly with Amazon Prime Air

The "Boycott USA" movement is gaining momentum globally in response to Donald Trump's tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, which have ignited trade wars and fueled resentment towards American goods. The backlash, which has been rapidly spreading across social media platforms, reflects growing dissatisfaction with Trump's economic policies and international relations. In the past week alone, Google searches for “Boycott USA” have surged, with European cou

The fate of TikTok in the United States has taken a new turn as US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is actively engaged in talks with four potential buyers over the sale of the popular video-sharing platform. The news follows heightened concerns over TikTok’s data security risks and its ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Speaking to reporters, Donald Trump stated, "We're dealing with four different groups, and a lot of people want it ... all

Tesla’s stock has been on a steady decline for seven consecutive weeks, raising concerns about the company’s future amid growing competition and CEO Elon Musk’s increasing political involvement. Since the beginning of 2024, Tesla’s stock has faced ongoing struggles, with a steady drop in value for seven straight weeks. This comes as CEO Elon Musk has taken on a more prominent political role in Washington, leading some investors to wo