Key Moves from Major Retailers and Market Implications for Suppliers 

♥ ♥ Walmart Explores Acquisition of Israeli Anti-Fraud Startup 

Walmart is reportedly considering the acquisition of an Israeli startup specializing in fraud prevention and counterfeit control.

Implication: Strengthening e-commerce security and platform governance reflects Walmart’s focus on trust, compliance, and consumer protection. Suppliers and exporters should anticipate stricter verification and quality requirements when engaging with Walmart’s online marketplaces.

☁ Amazon & OpenAI Forge $38 Billion, 7-Year Partnership

AWS has signed a long-term agreement with OpenAI to provide large-scale cloud computing capacity for generative AI workloads.

Strategic impact: This reinforces Amazon’s positioning as a cloud + retail + AI powerhouse, fueling investor confidence and expanding opportunities for AI-enabled retail solutions, logistics, and customer engagement.

♥ ♥  Michaels Expands Creative & Fabric Offerings Post Joann Acquisition

Michaels acquired Joann’s IP and brand assets earlier this year, consolidating the North American specialty fabric and craft market.

Introduced “The Knit & Sew Shop” and “The Party Shop” concepts across stores

Expanded fabric and party supplies offerings to 1,090+ locations, covering 84% of its stores

Strengthened position as the largest arts and crafts specialty retailer in North America

Insight: Strategic M&A can rejuvenate a legacy brand, fill market gaps, and enable omni-channel expansion. Suppliers should align with retailers’ full-chain strategy, from specialty products to lifestyle offerings.

♥ ♥  Best Buy Reports Strong Q3 & Upgrades 2026 Guidance

Best Buy’s Q3 2026 results (ending Nov 1, 2025):

Total revenue $9.67B, +2.4% YoY, surpassing market expectations

Core same-store sales growth +2.7%, reversing previous declines

Online revenue $2.82B, +3.5% YoY, now 31.8% of U.S. total revenue

Key growth drivers: computers, gaming, and mobile devices

Implication for suppliers: Strong performance in technology categories shows consumers’ sustained demand for high-value items. Retailers increasingly rely on online + in-store integration, marketplace platforms, and enhanced customer experience.

♥ ♥  Key Takeaways for Exporters & Suppliers

Digital & Security Readiness: Ensure compliance and anti-fraud measures when selling through large e-commerce platforms

Omni-Channel Strategy: Leverage retailers’ online + offline integration for marketing and sales

Product Differentiation: Align with expanded lifestyle and specialty categories (crafts, fabrics, technology)

M&A Awareness: Monitor acquisitions as they can create new distribution channels and redefine market leadership

♥ ♥  Closing Insight

Global retail is increasingly technology-driven, security-conscious, and omni-channel focused. Suppliers who integrate digital capabilities, product innovation, and category alignment will outperform in an evolving marketplace.