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The Growing Importance of Managed IT for Entrepreneurs
In today’s fast-paced business environment, technology is not just a support function-it is a critical driver of growth and innovation. Ambitious entrepreneurs are increasingly recognizing that managing IT in-house can be both costly and inefficient. Instead, they are turning to managed IT and help desk support services to ensure their technology infrastructure operates seamlessly, allowing them to focus on scaling their ventures.
Studies show that 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack go out of business within six months, highlighting the crucial need for robust IT management and security measures. For entrepreneurs, time lost to IT issues can translate directly into lost revenue and opportunities. This makes partnering with a reliable managed IT provider not just a convenience but a strategic imperative.
Furthermore, the complexity of modern IT environments-including cloud computing, mobile devices, and remote workforces-demands specialized expertise that many startups and small businesses simply do not have internally. Attempting to manage these complex systems without dedicated resources can lead to vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and costly downtime. According to a report by the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of IT downtime is $5,600 per minute, which can be devastating for small enterprises.
Why Managed IT and Helpdesk Support Are Game Changers
Managed IT services provide a comprehensive suite of technology solutions, including network monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup, and software updates, all managed proactively by experts. Complementing this, helpdesk support offers immediate assistance to resolve day-to-day IT issues, minimizing downtime and keeping operations smooth.
One of the standout offerings in this space is the remote helpdesk by 7tech. This service empowers businesses with expert remote assistance, ensuring that technical problems are addressed quickly without the need for onsite visits. This not only reduces costs but also improves response times, a critical factor when entrepreneurs need to maintain momentum.
Outsourcing IT management through services like business tech managed by Charter Technology Solutions allows businesses to access a team of professionals with specialized knowledge and tools that would be prohibitively expensive to maintain internally. According to a report by Deloitte, companies using managed IT services experience a 40% reduction in IT-related downtime, directly impacting productivity and customer satisfaction.
The helpdesk component also plays a pivotal role in enhancing user experience by providing timely, knowledgeable support to employees. This immediate assistance reduces frustration, accelerates problem resolution, and ultimately boosts overall productivity. For entrepreneurs juggling multiple priorities, having a dedicated support team means less time spent troubleshooting and more time focused on strategic business initiatives.
Tailored IT Solutions for Ambitious Growth
Entrepreneurs have unique technology needs that evolve rapidly as their businesses grow. Managed IT providers understand this dynamic and offer scalable solutions that adapt to changing demands. Whether it’s expanding cloud storage, enhancing cybersecurity protocols, or integrating new software platforms, managed services ensure that technology infrastructure supports growth rather than hinders it.
For example, cloud computing solutions offered by managed IT providers enable businesses to scale their operations flexibly without heavy upfront investments in hardware. This agility is essential for startups and growing companies seeking to respond quickly to market opportunities. According to Flexera’s 2023 State of the Cloud Report, 92% of enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy, underscoring the importance of flexible, scalable IT resources.
Helpdesk support plays a crucial role in this ecosystem by providing end-users with timely technical assistance and training. This fosters a smoother adoption of new technologies and reduces frustration, further enabling employees to focus on their core responsibilities. Managed IT providers also offer proactive monitoring and maintenance, anticipating potential issues before they escalate into costly problems.
Enhancing Security and Compliance
Cybersecurity remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes. Entrepreneurs must navigate a complex landscape of threats, from ransomware to phishing attacks, while also adhering to regulatory requirements specific to their industry. Managed IT providers bring expertise in implementing robust security frameworks and monitoring systems that detect and mitigate threats before they cause damage.
A recent study found that 82% of companies feel more confident about their security posture after partnering with a managed IT services provider. This confidence allows entrepreneurs to pursue innovative strategies without being paralyzed by security risks.
Additionally, managed IT services help businesses maintain compliance with industry standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. These regulations often require continuous monitoring, documentation, and risk assessments that can overwhelm small teams. By leveraging managed IT expertise, entrepreneurs ensure that their businesses meet these requirements, avoiding costly fines and reputational damage.
Managed providers also implement multi-layered security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, endpoint protection, and employee training programs. This comprehensive approach significantly reduces the likelihood of breaches and helps contain incidents swiftly when they do occur.
Cost Efficiency and Predictable Budgeting
One of the most significant advantages of managed IT and helpdesk support is cost predictability. Instead of unexpected expenses from hardware failures or software issues, businesses pay a fixed monthly fee that covers a wide range of services. This budget-friendly approach helps entrepreneurs allocate resources more effectively and avoid disruptive surprises.
Additionally, by leveraging economies of scale, managed service providers can deliver cutting-edge technology solutions at a fraction of the cost it would take to build an internal team. This financial efficiency is particularly beneficial for startups and growing businesses that need to maximize every dollar invested.
Moreover, managed IT services reduce the need for costly emergency repairs and reactive fixes. Proactive monitoring and maintenance identify potential issues before they escalate, saving businesses both time and money. According to a study by CompTIA, businesses that use managed IT services reduce their overall IT costs by up to 30%, while improving service quality.
Building a Strategic Partnership for Long-Term Success
Managed IT and helpdesk support are not just operational expenses-they are strategic investments in the future of a business. By partnering with experienced providers, entrepreneurs gain access to technology roadmaps, expert advice, and innovative solutions tailored to their specific goals.
This partnership approach enables entrepreneurs to stay ahead of technological trends, adopt new tools faster, and respond to challenges with agility. It also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where IT is aligned with business objectives rather than treated as an afterthought.
The right managed IT provider becomes an extension of the business, offering insights and support that drive competitive advantage. For ambitious entrepreneurs, this relationship is a key enabler of sustainable growth and resilience in a constantly evolving market.
Conclusion: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Managed IT
Ambitious entrepreneurs know that success depends on agility, innovation, and resilience. Managed IT and helpdesk support provide the technological foundation that makes all three possible. By partnering with expert providers like the , entrepreneurs can ensure their IT infrastructure is reliable, secure, and scalable, freeing them to focus on what matters most-the growth and success of their business.
In an era where every minute counts and technology is a competitive advantage, managed IT services are not just an option-they are a necessity for entrepreneurs aiming to lead and innovate in their industries. Embracing managed IT and helpdesk support is a proactive step toward building a future-proof business capable of thriving in the digital age.
The post Managed IT And Helpdesk Support For Ambitious Entrepreneurs appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

Sunrise Energy Metals (SRL) is a small Australian miner most investors have never heard of, until recently.The company just secured a conditional $400 million loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Defense (also branded the Department of War), and its stock responded with one of the sharpest single-day moves on the Australian market this year.The money is meant to help build the world’s first mine dedicated to producing scandium. Scandium is a metal used in fighter jets, high-strength alloys, and power systems for artificial intelligence data centers.For a company valued at about AUD 21 million at the end of 2024, this is a dramatic shift. The stock now carries a market value near AUD 3 billion.The Sunrise deal also raises real questions for shareholders about what they own, where the company will list, and which risks the loan does not cover.Why the Pentagon is funding a Sunrise Energy Metals scandium mineThe U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital announced the conditional loan on Friday, Aug. 7, at a mining roundtable in Washington attended by President Donald Trump. Sunrise confirmed the details in an ASX filing on Monday, Aug. 10, Market Index reported.Scandium is a rare earth element. It makes aluminum stronger, lighter, and more resistant to heat and corrosion, which matters for aircraft, missiles, and other defense hardware.More Defense and AI Infrastructure Coverage:Bank of America sets aggressive Tower Semiconductor targetTop defense contractor scores huge U.S. Army payday, stock jumpsNvidia’s CEO just sent strong signal to stock market investorsThe problem for the U.S. is supply. China controls close to 70% of global rare earth mining and about 90% of processing, CNBC reported. For scandium specifically, almost no primary mine supply exists anywhere. It is usually recovered as a byproduct of other mining.Sunrise’s Syerston project in New South Wales aims to change that by mining scandium directly.What the $400 million Sunrise Energy Metals deal actually includesThis is a loan, not a cash gift. The structure sets clear conditions.The financing is a proposed 25-year debt facility, with money released in phases as the project hits milestones and as Sunrise contributes its own equity, Bloomberg reported.Key terms of the Sunrise Energy Metals loanSunrise must build a scandium refining and metal-making facility inside the United States to produce finished, military-grade material.The Department of Defense receives a right of first offer to buy the mine’s output, supporting the American defense supply chain.The commitment is conditional on Sunrise meeting technical, legal, and financial milestones before the deal closes.Sunrise also holds an offtake agreement with Lockheed Martin, which has an option to buy up to 15 tonnes of scandium oxide a year, for the first 5 years. That’s roughly a quarter of planned early output.

Scandium strengthens the aluminum alloys used in military aircraft, one reason the Pentagon is funding a new supply source.Abstract Aerial Art / Getty Images

How Sunrise Energy Metals stock reacted to the newsThe market response was immediate. SRL shares jumped as much as 29% on Monday, Aug. 10, and touched a fresh all-time high, Bloomberg reported.Over the past 12 months, the stock has risen more than 1,200%, while Australia’s All Ordinaries Index gained about 5% over the same period, The Motley Fool noted.SRL vs. the broader market (past 12 months)Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX: SRL): Up more than 1,200%All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO): Up about 5%Before the loan, investors worried Sunrise might struggle to fund the project or dilute shareholders heavily to raise cash. The government backing reduced that fear.A possible U.S. listing could change what SRL shareholders ownChairman Robert Friedland, the mining financier who founded Ivanhoe Mines, said the company has started preparing to list on a U.S. stock exchange.He went further in a Bloomberg TV interview. “It may become an American company,” Friedland said, according to Bloomberg. He also added that U.S. authorities prefer companies they fund to be based in the United States.Related: Veteran analyst rethinks Palantir stock after earningsFor current shareholders, a shift to a U.S. structure would likely move their holdings into a new American entity. That can increase trading volume and open the stock to large U.S. institutional investors.Nothing is final yet. Sunrise said it plans to complete the approvals for both the financing and the listing over the course of 2026.The risks the Pentagon loan does not remove for Sunrise investorsThe loan solves a funding problem. But it does not remove every risk, and two stand out.The first is pricing. China refines the large majority of the world’s scandium. If Beijing pushed global scandium prices sharply lower, it could squeeze Sunrise’s margins. The Pentagon loan does not currently include a guaranteed price floor to protect against this, and the absence is notable. Rival U.S.-backed producer MP Materials secured a price floor in its Defense Department deal, a protection Sunrise does not yet have.The second risk is execution. The $400 million stays conditional on engineering work, environmental approvals, and final due diligence. Syerston has not started construction, and commercial production is not targeted until the second half of 2028.Failure to meet the Pentagon’s terms could delay or destroy the commitment.What Sunrise Energy Metals investors should watch from hereA few specific markers will show whether the deal is on track:Binding documents: Watch for signed final agreements on both the loan and the Lockheed Martin offtake, which turn commitments into contracts.Final Investment Decision: Sunrise is targeting a formal go-ahead in the second half of 2026. A confirmed decision would signal the project is proceeding.U.S. listing progress: Any concrete step toward a U.S. exchange filing would clarify what shareholders will hold.First production: The company targets late 2028 for commercial scandium output at Syerston.Right now, the stock is priced for success. But success still depends on things that have not happened yet.The government backing is real. Sunrise has a $400 million commitment that did not exist two weeks ago. That lowers the risk of the project never getting built.But a loan commitment is not a working mine. Syerston still needs to clear engineering reviews, environmental approvals, and a final investment decision before it produces a single ton of scandium. That gap between “funded” and “producing” is where the real risk still sits.If you buy SRL at these prices, you are not just betting on the Pentagon deal. You are betting that Sunrise clears every step ahead of it, on schedule, through 2026 and beyond.Related: Jim Cramer says surging defense stock is a sensational buy

Nvidia (NVDA) stock investors have spent months worrying that the relentless AI boom is leaning too heavily on the chipmaker’s own balance sheet.The AI giant sells the GPUs, but it was also investing in clients and supporting financing structures linked to the same ecosystem, scooping up those chips. That birthed the AI circular financing debate and raised questions about how much capital giants such as Nvidia might ultimately have to commit to keep AI spending moving. Now that setup is changing.Nvidia recently lined up a new $500 billion-plus financing platform, which laid to rest many of those fears as Wall Street capital increasingly steps in, according to Reuters.BofA feels that shift could change how investors think about one of Nvidia’s biggest risks.Why BofA thinks Nvidia’s financing problem is fixable One of the big concerns looming over Nvidia is how much of the AI boom it can ultimately finance itself. That concern isn’t ill-founded, though, as Nvidia has effectively backed the same ecosystem that buys its chips. The tech giant has committed nearly $70 billion of investments across OpenAI, Anthropic, Safe Superintelligence, Intel, CoreWeave, Nebius, and other AI infrastructure partners, according to BofA. More Nvidia:Nvidia just made a move Wall Street wasn’t ready forNvidia just locked down deal that changes AI raceNvidia stock is doing something it hasn’t done in yearsThat entails complicated structures, including GPU sale-leasebacks and commitments to rent back unused capacity from neocloud operators.However, BofA just addressed that “circularity” concern. According to the bank’s analysts, Nvidia’s new financing structure materially reduces that risk. Nvidia has signed agreements with Apollo, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, Goldman Sachs, and KKR, looking to mobilize more than $500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure. So instead of Nvidia compromising on its own balance sheet strength, independent pools of capital would finance GPUs, power, and data centers. Outside investors will effectively be carrying the brunt of the financing risk.That begs the question, though, of why financiers would be comfortable doing that. BofA argues that Nvidia GPUs have remarkably robust residual value. Its GPUs are transferable between operators, rented to different clients, and kept economically useful through Nvidia’s CUDA software ecosystem. In essence, those financiers could treat Nvidia GPUs as investable infrastructure assets.“In AI, compute is revenue,” CEO Jensen Huang said at the time of the financing deal. “NVIDIA compute is uniquely suited for this role. It is broadly adopted, flexible across models and workloads, fungible and transferable across customers and operators, and continuously improved through CUDA software.”This is especially true if funding is the bottleneck in the AI buildout. If so, bringing hundreds of billions of outside capital into the ecosystem extends Nvidia’s growth runway, rather than merely shuffling financing. The risk doesn’t disappear, though.MOUs aren’t exactly deployed capital. Ultimately, someone needs to generate sufficient economic return from the AI infrastructure to repay the money. Additionally, more complex financing can make that AI ecosystem a lot less transparent, while questions about energy availability, regulation, and the eventual return on AI spending remain unanswered.

BofA says Nvidia’s new financing structure could reduce a major investor concern.Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Why does BofA think Nvidia stock is already too cheap?Bank of America sees Nvidia stock rising to $350, implying 59% upside from the stock’s current price of nearly $219.70. Nvidia stock traded at $219 on Aug. 11, according to Yahoo Finance.For perspective, according to Seeking Alpha, Nvidia shares jumped 16% in the past six months compared with gains of 11.5% for the S&P 500. Though things have been relatively sluggish over the past year, over a three-year period, the stock is up 417%, beating the S&P 500’s 73% gain.Interestingly, the bank’s analysts argue Nvidia is trading at a “significantly depressed valuation,” which feels like a strange description for a company worth more than $5 trillion. That said, BofA’s valuation on Nvidia is based on 26 times calendar-2027 estimated earnings, excluding cash. Although this sounds pricey, it’s near the bottom of the company’s historical 25x to 56x forward P/E range.Moreover, according to Seeking Alpha data, Nvidia stock is trading at over 13-times forward sales estimates, 33% lower than the five-year average. Also, it’s trading at 25 times forward cash flow, 44.4% below its five-year average. Despite the aggressiveness of the target, it’s especially stretched by Nvidia’s own history.At the heart of it is Nvidia’s tremendous position in AI computing, its expected 65% to 70% share of a $1.7 trillion-plus AI systems market by 2030, and projected EPS growth above 46%.BofA also estimates that Nvidia can generate a whopping $470 billion of free cash flow across calendar 2026 and 2027. Against that backdrop, its nearly $70 billion of committed ecosystem investments equal just around 15% of projected two-year free cash flow.Nvidia can therefore theoretically fund its strategic investments and still continue to return a ton of capital to shareholders.The bank notes that the estimates assume nearly $73 billion of buybacks in 2026 and $106 billion in 2027, equivalent to around 36% to 37% of free cash flow. Nvidia has pledged to return more than 50% of free cash flow.So if the new third-party financing model lowers the amount of cash Nvidia must commit to customers, a lot more free cash flow becomes available for buybacks. What does BofA’s Nvidia call mean for investors?For Nvidia fans, BofA’s bull case effectively boils down to a simple idea that the AI behemoth could extend the capex boom without having to bankroll it itself.AI capex is critical to advancing Nvidia’s efforts, and even though the big names in tech have the financing firepower, others often do not. Consequently, that $500 billion financing platform widens that funnel. As more customers gain capital access, Nvidia is able to sell more systems while outsourcing the financing issue.Nevertheless, moving risk doesn’t eliminate it.Third-party investors need customers that have enough in the tank to continue paying their bills. At the same time, AI applications need to offer sufficient economic value to back up the infrastructure supporting them. In addition, BofA also flagged China restrictions, competition from custom chips, unpredictable data-center sales, and a potential slowdown in capital returns as risks to Nvidia’s dominant AI position. For now, BofA is looking at Nvidia as a business that can generate roughly half a trillion dollars of free cash flow over two years, while maintaining its dominant AI market share.At the same time, it is able to push financing risk onto external capital providers, yet continue trading at a forward multiple near the bottom of its historical range.For investors, the next big test is Nvidia’s Aug. 26 earnings call. Investors will want more clarity on how much balance-sheet exposure Nvidia will retain under the new financing structure.“The fundamentals are still strong” — biggest market opportunities right now (16:27)

The ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier has been sidelined since March 2025, undergoing maintenance at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

UFC 330 takes place on Saturday, August 15. We look at the early betting odds for the entire event, which is headlined by two title fights.

While soda companies are always chasing new ways to repackage and reinvent their bestselling products, they have to be very careful when it comes to changing the flavor of consumer favorites.There’s no better example of how violently people react to these changes than the famous New Coke debacle of 1985. Coca-Cola sales were drooping in the mid-80s due to competition from Pepsi, so the company decided it needed a new approach and released New Coke, which was advertised as sweeter. But the change rattled consumers, and Coca-Cola fielded more than 40,000 angry calls and letters. Seventy-nine days after the launch, the company announced that the original Coke would return as Coca-Cola Classic.New Coke acted as a cautionary tale for soda manufacturers. In the case of Coca-Cola, many people had deep emotions about the soda, considering it a part of their regional identity. Despite performing well in taste tests, New Coke had a much higher hurdle to jump than just flavor.Now another major soda maker has announced a major change to its most classic formula, and we can’t help but think it feels familiar — and maybe even similarly doomed.Keurig Dr Pepper is changing 7UPKeurig Dr Pepper, the company that owns 7UP, recently shared that it would reformulate the classic soda to make the lime flavor more forward.“This is a bold reinvention of one of America’s most iconic soda brands for a new generation of consumers — starting with the flavor itself,” Drew Panayiotou, Keurig Dr Pepper chief marketing and innovation officer, said in a statement. “We are transforming a beloved heritage brand into a modern disruptor — delivering a sharper visual identity, a more refreshing taste experience, and a distinct position that attracts new users and deepens brand loyalty.”Related: Study reveals alarming problem linked to drinking Diet Coke dailyThe appearance of the cans will also change to signify the new formula, with a more modern-looking version of the classic 7UP font and “Lime Lemon” written above the logo. The drink will also be the first lime-forward soda in the category.The move is intended to accomplish two things. First, Keurig Dr Pepper wants to differentiate 7UP from competitors Sprite and Starry. Second, the company is trying to appeal to the Gen Z and Gen Alpha palate. Based on the company’s internal beverage trend report cited in the 7UP announcement, 72% of both generations prefer citrus-forward flavors. The lemon-lime beverage category generates $5 billion in revenue in the United States, Circana confirmed, according to CNN.Keurig Dr Pepper is not the first to try rebranding a lemon-lime soda. Pepsi did the same with Sierra Mist in 2023, changing it to Starry after sales of Sierra Mist showed a major decline, Marketing Dive reported. The rebrand has helped it sell better, although Coca-Cola’s Sprite still rules the lemon -lime category.

Keurig Dr Pepper, the company that owns 7UP, will reformulate the classic soda to make the lime flavor more forward.RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

Why the 7UP rebrand is a big gambleWhile Coca-Cola is arguably the highest-profile soda brand and one with which many Americans feel a patriotic bond, 7UP is no slouch in the category. Founded in 1929 by Charles Leiper Grigg, the lemon-lime soda was the first of its kind, predating Sprite by several decades. Many people have fond memories of it and have drunk it for most of their lives, presenting a similar issue to what New Coke faced.On the other hand, Keurig Dr Pepper has seen success in reinventing other historic brands, such as RC Cola, which was created in 1905. The company leaned into a nostalgia play with the soda, retaining the original packaging and launching an advertising campaign — its first in 40 years — to promote it. It also used the tagline, “Not a soft drink. Just a damn good cola,” Food Dive noted.“The biggest risk you have with brands is stagnation and not wanting to evolve,” Panayiotou told CNN in an interview. “If you stay stagnant, that’s when you start losing momentum and sales decline.”Related: Coca-Cola keeps beating its rivals, and Wall Street noticed

For 49 years, O’Brien’s Market served shoppers in California’s Central Valley, building a family-owned grocery business known for fresh food, specialty departments, and neighborhood stores.Now, the grocer is exiting the market entirely.O’Brien’s Market is permanently closing one of its final two Modesto stores and trying to sell the other, according to two California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings reviewed by TheStreet.The closures could affect as many as 117 workers and bring O’Brien’s nearly five-decade run to an end.The company said the decision comes as founder Chuck O’Brien retires, but it also pointed to broader challenges facing its business. O’Brien’s said it never fully recovered from some of the changes brought on by the Covid pandemic and that the current business climate forced it to make difficult decisions.Its departure comes amid a broader reshuffling of California’s grocery landscape.A review by TheStreet of California employment records, company announcements, government records, and previously reported closures identified at least 49 grocery locations in California that have announced or carried out closures so far in 2026, affecting or potentially affecting more than 4,600 workers.O’Brien’s Market closes final California storesO’Brien’s expects its store at 4120 Dale Road in Modesto to close to the public on or around Sept. 20, according to the WARN notice.Employees are expected to continue working through the wind-down before their employment ends around Sept. 27.More Retail:Dollar General copies Costco’s playbook with a discount twistPepsi and Coca-Cola bet big on soda Americans say they wantIconic supermarket chain closes more stores and facilitiesThe company described the shutdown as permanent and said the entire location will close, affecting approximately all 67 employees. The workers are not represented by a union and do not have bumping rights.The layoffs stretch across nearly every part of the supermarket. The largest groups include 16 deli clerks, 10 service clerks, and 8 checkers. The closure will also affect assistant managers, baristas, butchers, meat clerks, produce employees, and other workers.O’Brien’s is also seeking a buyer for its other store at 839 W. Roseburg Avenue in Modesto.The company said it was actively pursuing a potential sale but had not reached a final agreement when it submitted its WARN notice.If a transaction is not completed, O’Brien’s expects the Roseburg store to also permanently close to the public around Sept. 26, with employees continuing through the wind-down until approximately Sept. 27.Another 50 workers could be affected.However, if the store is sold and the purchaser offers employees continued employment without interruption, they may avoid losing their jobs.

O’Brien’s Market announces store closures as it exits the California market.d3sign / Getty Images

O’Brien exits after 49 years as California grocery market shiftsO’Brien’s departure ends a grocery business that has served the Central Valley for nearly half a century.In a message to customers titled “Chuck’s Retirement,” O’Brien’s thanked its community, employees, and customers for supporting the business for 49 years and said the time had come to retire.The company said the grocery industry changed substantially during those decades, with some changes within, and others beyond, its control.The retailer specifically pointed to the Covid pandemic, saying it forced unprecedented changes across the industry.While the company said it successfully kept employees safe, fed the community, and cared for customers, it acknowledged that in other ways, it never fully recovered.“The current business climate has forced us to make some tough decisions,” O’Brien’s said, calling the decision to close both of its markets the most difficult one.The company is holding a retirement sale and said it would continue restocking fresh groceries while winding down operations.O’Brien’s exit follows a gradual reduction in its footprint. The grocer previously operated a Riverbank location, which it sold to Cost Less Food Company in 2024. That left its two Modesto stores, at Dale Road and Roseburg Avenue, as its remaining locations.The latest closure announcement also drew an emotional reaction from customers on O’Brien’s Facebook page.Commenters described the stores as neighborhood staples, praised its employees, and recalled traditions including wine tastings, deli sandwiches, and community involvement. One commenter expressed hope that O’Brien’s would succeed in selling the Roseburg Avenue location so employees there could continue working.The reactions underscore the impact that the disappearance of a neighborhood grocer can have beyond the loss of another retail storefront.At least 49 California grocery stores have announced closures in 2026O’Brien’s exit comes during a particularly active period of grocery-store restructuring across California.TheStreet reviewed California Employment Development Department WARN filings, company announcements, local government records, and previously reported closures.As a result, it identified at least 49 grocery locations in the state that have closed or announced plans to close so far in 2026. A 50th location, O’Brien’s Roseburg Avenue store, could close if the company is unable to complete a sale.Those closures have affected or will potentially affect more than 4,600 workers.The tally is not a comprehensive count of every California grocery closure. Not every shutdown triggers a WARN filing, and the state does not publish a separate running total of supermarket closures. TheStreet supplemented state records with company announcements, official records, and verified local reporting.The total is also heavily influenced by Amazon’s decision to discontinue its physical Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go formats. California WARN filings tied to that move cover 22 locations and 3,855 workers.The company said it was closing its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go physical stores after determining it had not created a sufficiently distinctive customer experience or an economic model capable of scaling the formats.Instead, Amazon is increasing its investment in Whole Foods Market and grocery delivery. The company also said some former Amazon Fresh and Go locations would be converted into Whole Foods Market stores.Outside Amazon, TheStreet’s review identified California closures involving grocery operators, including Albertsons, Vons, Foods Co., Food 4 Less, Raley’s, Grocery Outlet, Lucky Supermarkets, New Leaf Community Markets, and O’Brien’s.Kroger-owned Foods Co. and Food 4 Less have closed California locations as Kroger works through a broader plan to eliminate underperforming stores.Lucky Supermarkets attributed the decisions to prolonged performance issues rather than a broader withdrawal from California, TheStreet reported.Albertsons-owned banners, including Vons, also continue to trim their California footprints as the supermarket operator evaluates individual stores.The reasons behind the closures vary considerably.Amazon is replacing one physical grocery strategy with greater investment in Whole Foods and delivery. In contrast, Kroger and other chains are targeting underperforming stores, and other regional operators have reduced their footprints without abandoning California.However, O’Brien’s Market is officially retiring from California after 49 years.California grocery closures recently covered by TheStreetThe closures identified by TheStreet span national chains, regional grocers, and family-owned operators. The list below is based on California WARN filings, company announcements, official records, and verified local reporting.Operator / BannerCalifornia locationsStatusAmazon Fresh / Go22ClosedGrocery Outlet9ClosedAlbertsons / Vons / Safeway5Closed or announcedRaley’s / Nob Hill Foods4Closed or announcedFoods Co. / Food 4 Less3ClosedLucky Supermarkets2Closed or announcedSuper A Foods1ClosedBruno’s Shop Smart / C&K Market1ClosedNew Leaf Community Markets1AnnouncedO’Brien’s Market1Announced permanent closureO’Brien’s Market1Conditional on saleTotal: At least 49 definite closures or announced closures, with one additional O’Brien’s location potentially closing if a buyer is not found.Sources: TheStreet review of California Employment Development Department WARN records, company announcements, official records, and verified local reporting.Available WARN filings tied to the closures identified by TheStreet indicate that roughly 4,600 workers have been affected or potentially affected, while the actual total is likely higher because employee counts were not publicly available for several locations.Related: Popular fitness chain operator files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The New York Yankees, already the richest franchise in Major League Baseball, today announced a $2.6 billion financing agreement with Apollo Sports Capital.

Weeks of sideways trading have crushed volatility, leaving Wednesday’s inflation report as the next potential catalyst, analysts said.

For years, Amazon led the market by offering free two-day delivery to Prime members. That was a massive improvement over previous shipping standards, and it became table stakes for any retailer hoping to sell to a mass audience.As a shopper, two-day shipping generally worked for me, but once Uber Eats made ordering from Target, Publix, or other grocery stores a same-day possibility, I have occasionally taken advantage of that service.Yes, prices are higher than buying in-store. But if I’m working and need iced coffee, Gatorade, a box of ice cream sandwiches, and paper towels, and can get them without going farther than my front door, usually in less than an hour, well, I’m doing it.Amazon delivery times vary based on where you live. Before we moved, most items we ordered at our Port St. Lucie, Fla., home came the next day, sometimes with same-day as an option. At our new home, about an hour south, nearly every Amazon order takes the full two days.Now, Costco, which has never been known for fast delivery, has found a way to actually beat Amazon at the delivery game.Costco partners with InstacartCostco members get delivery from Instacart with the fees waived on orders over $35. And while the warehouse club does not promise one-hour delivery (it actually says “Costco favorites delivered in as fast as 1 hour” on the web page promoting the service), actual delivery times have been better than that.CEO Ron Vachris talked about the partnership during the chain’s third-quarter earnings call.”Average same-day delivery time in the U.S. is now less than 45 minutes, and the average member satisfaction rating is 4.8 out of 5. This part of our business is growing at an even faster rate than our digital business overall,” he said.Keeping members happy so they renew is a key part of Costco’s business model, and same-day delivery has helped with that.”[Delivery] is a strong driver of loyalty, as it is often our highest spending members who are using the service,” he added.Costco also gives Executive members, who pay $130 a year, or twice the cost of a basic Gold membership, a $10 monthly credit to use on Instacart orders over $150.Costco’s same-day delivery prices may be higher While Costco does not comment on pricing, Instacart notes that many of its partners do mark up items for delivery compared to in the store. “Earlier this year, Instacart announced that Schnuck Markets, Heritage Grocers Group, and home improvement chain Lowe’s switched to price parity. Walmart Canada lowered its markup, as did Costco on its same-day delivery websites for the U.S. and Canada,” Instacart shared in a report.Instacart also shared why that’s a good thing.“Grocery prices continue to be top of mind for consumers, and we know that working with retailers to offer their customers affordable prices is key to helping them drive faster growth and accelerate online grocery adoption. On our platform, retailers that price items at in-store parity consistently grow faster on average than those with markups,” the study showed. Costco used to acknowledge and explain the markup on its same-day delivery page, but the language has since been removed.”Costco’s item prices are marked up higher than your local warehouse; however, the item markup is reduced for Costco members. The order minimum is $35. This pays for the delivery service and to provide competitive pay to all shoppers working on the Instacart platform. Unlike a tip, which can only go to the shopper delivering your order, a markup allows Instacart to pay all shoppers (including those, for example, that also pick ordered items in the warehouse),” the warehouse club shared.There’s a reason Costco does not offer the exact same prices in store and via Instacart, according to GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders.“The rub is that shopping via third party apps does not give consumers access to the sharp Costco prices found in stores. Ranges can also be more limited, and you don’t get the full in-store experience with tasting and bargain hunting. For these reasons, these partnerships are incremental to, rather than a threat to, traditional memberships,” he told RetailWire. 

Costco partners with Instacart for same-day delivery.Instacart

Americans may not actually want faster deliveryWhile Costco members have responded well to the offer of same-day delivery, it’s more a bonus than something consumers are demanding. A 2024 McKinsey study showed that speed was not actually the top priority for most Americans when it comes to delivery. Shoppers might be willing to trade off slightly slower delivery speeds for more assurance that packages will arrive on time within the promised delivery window, the survey showed.”Ninety percent of consumers are willing to wait two or three days for deliveries —especially if it lets them avoid shipping costs, according to McKinsey. That same 90% “are likely to abandon shopping carts that feature high shipping costs for standard items.”Related: Kroger CEO takes a shot at Costco and Aldi