Direct Global/Direct Co-ops

[DLBN] Towns in South Carolina and Arizona have passed ordinances which require retailers like WMT and TGT to pay $50 to redeem abandoned shopping carts which towns have collected on streets and impounded. Critics say these laws punish the retailer and not the cart fees.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/16682246/walmart-cart-fee-community-programs-south-carolina/

[DLBN] Commander-in-chief spends many hours meticulously developing naval strategies for the Strait of Hormuz in a White House sink simulation.
(AI image by AL)

[DLBN] WMT is watching you at self-checkout. Cameras are focused on the self-checkout registers, watching hand movements while scanning items. The devices alerts employees when something suspicious is happening at self-checkout. Shop local.

https://www.al.com/news/2026/07/walmarts-self-checkout-has-hidden-system-to-catch-you-stealing-heres-how-it-works.html

[DLBN] WMT, CVS & Target stores in NY and NJ are forcing customers to wait as long as 40 mins. to unlock products in anti-theft devices, including: underwear, baby formula & elec. toothbrushes. Desperate attempts to cut-back shop-lifting.

https://nypost.com/2023/10/27/business/shoppers-waiting-up-to-40-minutes-for-items-locked-behind-ant-theft-cases/

[DLBN] In June 2026, ICE AGENTS arrested 39,563 people—the highest monthly figure ever. A total of 65,765 people were in detention as of 7.11.26., of which 70.6% had no criminal violations. Only 19,329 (29.4%) had criminal convictions. Since 2019, petty violations like traffic violations, ma*****na possessions, have exceeded more serious offenses.

https://tracreports.org/immigration/quickfacts/

[DLBN] WMT IN San Jose, CA has a new anti-theft policy: placing expensive “cuts of beef and packages of ground meat inside metal security cages to keep shoplifters at bay.”

https://nypost.com/2026/07/18/us-news/california-walmart-locks-up-pricey-meat-to-fight-shoplifting/

[DLBN] Kroger had the cheapest store-brand grocery costs in a price study at major grocery chains of 15 store-brand essentials including milk, bread, eggs, chicken breast, spaghetti, canned beans & baking items. Kroger’s basket of goods totaled $30, WMT came in 2nd at 30.95, followed by Aldi at $33.15 & Albertsons at $35.58.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/major-grocery-chain-beats-walmart-aldi-price-war-shoppers-hunt-checkout-relief

[DLBN] SALAD DAZE: Iceberg lettuce has been recalled in 27 states. Cyclospora illness symptoms include: diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/bloating, nausea, & vomiting. Walmart and Taco Bell sick from bad PR.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026

[DLBN] It’s July, but Home Depot is marketing its 2026 “Halloween Collection” of lawn clutter: 12 FT SKELLY™ giant—-with custom sounds, light and servo- motor movements, + 11ft. ft. Mummy & 8 ft. Perilous Plant Monster. It’s scary that people spend big money on this horror show.
https://ir.homedepot.com/news-releases/2026/07-15-2026-130113180

[DLBN] CA. lawmakers have passed a new impact fee on manufacturers using packaging that can’t be reused, recycled, or composed, & must be phased out. Could cost shoppers > $190 more/year.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/16683183/california-recyclable-packaging-law-dairy-industry-walmart/