News

IPO
OpenAI Preps Fourth-Quarter IPO and Builds Out Finance Team
January 30, 2026

OpenAI is accelerating plans for a potential initial public offering as soon as the fourth quarter, positioning the ChatGPT maker for a high-profile debut just as rivals move to reach the public markets first. The push is being watched closely across the digital economy because...

Payment Methods
Digital Wallet Use Still Lags in the Physical Store
January 30, 2026

Online shopping has stopped being a young person’s game, and the data now points to a broader shift: where consumers shop is increasingly tied to how they pay. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Security & Fraud
Why Fraud Doesn’t Look Like Fraud to a Data Scientist
January 30, 2026

Watch more: Visa Protect Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing...

Retail
Saks Global to Shutter Majority of off-Price Stores in Shift to Luxury Focus
January 29, 2026

Saks Global will wind down the majority of its off-price operations, including most Saks OFF 5TH locations and all Neiman Marcus Last Call stores, Reuters reported Thursday (Jan. 29). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Artificial Intelligence
Amazon Eyes $50 Billion OpenAI Stake
January 29, 2026

Amazon is discussing investing as much as $50 billion in OpenAI, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday (Jan. 29), citing unnamed sources. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional...

Retail
Allbirds and the Reality Check Facing Direct-to-Consumer Brands
January 29, 2026

At a high level, the direct-to-consumer (D2C) model arrived with the promise to eliminate intermediaries, speak directly to customers, and use digital channels to deliver lower prices, tighter feedback loops and cleaner brand narratives. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Loyalty & Rewards
Starbucks Brings Back Tiered Rewards Program
January 29, 2026

Starbucks is preparing to launch an updated version of its loyalty rewards program. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By...

Retail
Walmart Bets on Healthcare as Amazon Swings Hard at Grocery
January 29, 2026

Amazon and Walmart are battling on two of the largest, most habitual spending categories in the U.S. economy: grocery and healthcare. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

Artificial Intelligence
Sumsub Adds AI Agent Verification to Know Your Agent Framework
January 29, 2026

Verification and fraud prevention firm Sumsub debuted its AI Agent Verification tool. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By...