Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending October 30, 2026

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he expects the war with Iran to end soon, although he offered no details on how the hostilities would be brought to a close.

Trump has previously said the United States would not launch strikes against Iran before the midterm elections.

Meanwhile, a Panama-flagged tanker was hit by two limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the first successful attack of its kind since the US-Iran war began. Trump reportedly sent Iran a letter seeking to revive peace talks, but Tehran has yet to respond. 

Below is Expana’s weekly summary of...

Walmart Meal Basket Serves 10 for $35 – $3.50 Per Person(1) – Helping Families Celebrate All Season

Some of Americans’ most memorable holiday moments happen around the table, and this year, Walmart is making it easier and more affordable than ever for families to serve a plentiful and delicious holiday meal. Walmart's highly anticipated Holiday Meal Basket is returning with even more food than last year, available to customers through December 24, 2026 - with the convenience of fast delivery to help families spend less time planning and more time celebrating.

Walmart’s 2026 Holiday...

Shoppers Turn to Deals and Store Brands as Grocery Affordability Worsens

Shoppers are increasingly relying on deals, store brands and lower-priced retailers to manage grocery costs, even as wage growth slightly improves their purchasing power, according to the latest Acosta Group Affordability Tracker.

In August, just 53% of shoppers said they felt comfortable affording groceries and household essentials, down from 68% in January. Meanwhile, 26% said they felt uncomfortable with their ability to afford those necessities, up from 17% at the start of the year. The shift comes as consumers continue to contend with elevated...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending October 23, 2026

Iran has warned that renewed US and Israeli strikes would trigger attacks on American forces, energy facilities, and other infrastructure. The warnings come as stalled negotiations and increased US military deployments raise concerns about renewed fighting.

Washington is moving additional forces to the region while reducing some personnel at risk. Iran has also warned it could target US warships and undersea internet cables near the Strait of Hormuz, where recent attacks have already sunk two vessels.

Escalating Houthi activity near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has heightened concerns over shipping...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending October 16, 2026

On Wednesday, two vessels sank near the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours after being struck by separate projectile strikes. Attacks have intensified over the past 10 days, with Iran citing the US blockade of its ports and tighter sanctions as reasons for escalating strikes.

Amid shipping disruptions and record-high freight costs linked to the Iran war, the Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on shadow-fleet vessels that have transported oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. 

However, the potential move is unlikely to significantly increase vessel availability, analysts say. Many ships still face...

Holiday Spending Outlook Puts Value and Convenience in Focus for Foodservice

US consumers are expected to spend slightly less this holiday season as higher costs pressure household budgets. For foodservice operators and retailers, the outlook suggests consumers still plan to celebrate, but will be more selective about where holiday dollars go.

According to Circana’s 2026 US Holiday Purchase Intentions Study, consumers plan to spend an average of $779 during the 2026 holiday season, down from $796 in 2025. The survey of 3,534 US consumers found most shoppers expect to spend about the same as...

Value, Convenience Drive Restaurant Choice as Consumers Pull Back on Spending

Restaurant operators may be seeing modest improvement in consumer spending, but diners remain highly price-conscious and increasingly selective about where and how they spend. A new report from Popmenu found U.S. consumers are spending an average of $100 per week on restaurants, up from earlier in 2026 but still $15 below June 2025 levels.

The report underscores a key challenge for operators: consumers still want to dine out, but they are actively looking for ways to spend less. According to Popmenu...

ALDI Invests in Even Lower Prices this Fall, Offering US Shoppers $86 Million in Savings

Starting today, ALDI is helping shoppers stretch their grocery budgets even further this fall, delivering an estimated $86 million in savings through additional price investments on the season's fresh favorites.¹ With the addition of the lower prices, nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment² at ALDI is priced lower than last year.

"At ALDI, value is a year-round promise, not a promotion," said Scott Patton, ALDI Chief Commercial Officer. "Customers trust us to help them make the most of their grocery budget...

Nobody Can Define “Ultra-Processed.” Washington Wants to Regulate It Anyway.

No agreed-upon definition. No consistent science. Just a new label – and higher costs at the grocery store.

Can’t Regulate What You Can’t Define

There is no single agreed-upon, science-based definition of “ultra-processed food.” Not among researchers. Not among regulators. “Ultra-processed” is a grab-bag term that throws wildly different foods into one bucket, and you don’t build a federal mandate on a term nobody can pin down.

Regulating a Turkey Sandwich the Same as a Slice of Cake Makes...

Study Finds Reinstating mCOOL Would Cost Consumers & Meat Supply Chain More Than $1 Billion Annually

The Meat Institute today announced a new economic analysis by Decision Innovation Solutions finds that reinstating Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) for beef and pork would impose significant costs, more than $1 billion annually, across the U.S. meat supply chain, increasing expenses for livestock producers, meat processors, retailers, and consumers while providing little evidence of increased consumer demand for labeled products.

“This study proves there are real and significant costs to mCOOL which would raise the price of meat for...

Day 59 of Iran War: Trump Floats Phone-Based Negotiations; Hormuz Traffic Stays Low

Iran has intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war with the United States, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveling to Russia today.

Araghchi is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin, with talks set to focus on bilateral relations and broader regional developments, including the US-Israel war on Iran.

US President Donald Trump said Iran could begin negotiations by phone if it wants to end the two-month war. Key sticking points remain Iran’s nuclear program and access to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively...

Day 32 of Iran War: US–Israel Strikes Continue Across Iran, Trump Issues New Threats

US and Israeli forces carried out fresh air strikes across Iran on Tuesday as the war entered its 32nd day.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington might strike Iran’s key energy infrastructure, including its main oil export hub at Kharg Island, oil wells, and power plants, if no deal is reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Following Trump's comments, Iran set ablaze a Kuwait‑flagged crude oil tanker off Dubai. The fire was extinguished with no reported oil spill or crew injuries...