Retail & Consumer Spending: US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, the weakest in over a year, as online sales cooled after Amazon Prime Day and shoppers got more cautious on big-ticket buys like autos; the core “control group” also slipped, while consumer confidence dropped about 8% in August. Inflation & Energy Costs: The Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz is pushing oil and gasoline higher, with gas prices topping $4 a gallon and adding pressure to household budgets. Global Trade Risk: Oxford Economics flags other major chokepoints—especially across Asia and the Mediterranean—that could similarly disrupt essentials if shipping slows. Food Safety Recalls: Upstate New York consumers are being warned about Horizon Organic shelf-stable 1% chocolate milk after reports of bloated packaging and early spoilage; separate recalls also hit certain 12-packs. AI in Consumer Supply Chains: Unilever says its FIFA product rollout used AI planning and digital twins to cut waste by 20% and boost capacity by 10%, helping it deliver the right items to retailers on time. Product Spotlight: Oishii is opening its first retail shop in Chelsea Market, bringing its premium Japanese strawberries and related treats to walk-in shoppers. Telecom Access: Australia’s Telstra outages are drawing scrutiny from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, which says regional consumers face unreliable service, longer waits, and higher risks when connectivity fails.