Retail & Consumer Confidence: GfK says UK consumer confidence hit a more than two-year high in September, but still sits at -13, with big-ticket buying confidence lagging. Retail Operations: A new learning management system push targets faster, consistent retail training so staff can start serving customers without scrambling for outdated info. Foodservice Upgrade: McDonald’s is investing $8.5B over 10 years to modernize restaurants, add AI, and roll out new menu items like chicken bowls and snack wraps. Tech for Everyday Feeds: YouTube plans customizable feeds with user-controlled sliders in 2026 to reduce repetitive recommendations. Consumer Protection: Medicare Agents Helpline launched new guides to help seniors vet agents before enrolling. Energy Grid Upgrades: Duke Energy secured $50M in federal funding for power grid capacity and reliability improvements. Local Goods Push: GuyExpo 2026 opened with calls for stronger consumer support of locally made products. Sports Tech & Hardware: Logitech G unveiled 15 new products, including the upgraded PRO series mouse, keyboard, and headset. New Product/Service Launches: Tobii promoted an acting CFO and launched a locally installed version of its Webcam for research. Finance/Investing Products: Theo launched thSLVR, a tokenized silver product that earns yield via leasing physical silver.