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NEW YORK — Americans cut back on their spending in July as a surge in COVID-19 cases kept people away from stores.

Walmart Inc.’s pandemic-driven gains in e-commerce slowed last quarter and profit margin fell, raising questions about the retailer’s ability to maintain momentum even after it topped Wall Street’s sales expectations.

The biggest U.S. trade gateway with Asia is clogged with the most inbound container vessels in more than six months, threatening to extend transportation delays, bite further into margins for American importers and boost prices for consumers.

The recent merger of GlobalTranz Enterprises and Worldwide Express is still in the getting-to-know-you phase and steps are being discussed to become fully integrated, executives from both companies said.

OMAHA, Neb. — Kansas City Southern railroad is trying to keep its $33.6 billion merger with Canadian National on track by rejecting a competing $31 billion bid from rival Canadian Pacific earlier this week.

A COVID outbreak that has partially shut one of the world’s busiest container ports is heightening concerns that the rapid spread of the delta variant will lead to a repeat of last year’s shipping nightmares.

PS Logistics announced that it has purchased all substantial transportation assets of Patriot Transit and Patriot Logistics. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced plans to update regulations for transportation of household goods to reduce costs for movers and mitigate the growing problem of fraud in consumer moves.

Frank Beelman Jr., a trucking executive and military combat veteran decorated with the Silver Star Medal, died Aug. 4 in his hometown of St. Libory, Ill.