ACI Worldwide to Acquire Cranium Ventures for Card Switching Tech

The DOJ expanded its antitrust probe into beef prices to include eight major grocery retailers, seeking records on pricing, costs, and profit margins. The investigation follows a 74% increase in ground beef prices from 2020 to 2026. The DOJ previously targeted major meatpackers, with Tyson Foods settling a lawsuit for $82.5 million. The probe aims to address rising beef prices and their impact on consumers.

The DOJ expanded its beef price investigation to include major retailers: Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize, Costco, and Amazon. The probe, initially focused on the 'Big Four' meatpackers, now scrutinizes retail-level price increases. The DOJ seeks information on recent beef price hikes, citing it as a critical concern for Americans.

The DOJ is investigating Walmart, Amazon, and six other major grocery retailers regarding beef prices, citing inflation as a key concern. The probe follows a prior antitrust investigation into meatpackers and Trump administration efforts to lower beef costs, including tariff adjustments and import policies. Retailers and the DOJ declined to comment. Beef prices are influenced by factors like reduced cattle supply and high production costs.

The US Department of Justice has expanded its anti-trust probe into beef prices to include eight major retailers, such as Walmart and Costco, according to a DoJ post on X. The investigation, which began in May with four large meatpackers, now examines retailers' beef pricing strategies, profit margins, and purchasing arrangements since 2020. The DoJ seeks records and briefings from the companies to assess trends in beef prices, a critical concern for the American public.

ACI Worldwide will acquire Cranium Ventures, integrating it into ACI Connetic for Cards. The deal aims to strengthen ACI's cloud-native switching and payment solutions, according to the company. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating eight major retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon, over beef pricing strategies. The probe, expanded from an earlier investigation into meatpackers, seeks details on pricing, costs, and wholesale arrangements. Tyson Foods previously settled a lawsuit for $82.5 million over beef price allegations, according to Reuters.