Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2026-10-08T07:01:00

(BPT) – Holiday spending expected to rise year-over-year as consumers increasingly seek value, compare options and borrow to cover spending

Retail sales are forecast to grow between 4.3%–4.9% this holiday season, with total expected spend topping $1.7T, according to ICSC’s 2026 holiday shopping forecast. Findings from ICSC’s annual Holiday Intentions Survey reinforce this forecast, as consumers prioritize holiday purchases and experiences above competing financial priorities.

The survey points to continued demand heading into the critical year-end shopping period. Eighty-eight percent of U.S. adults — approximately 237 million people — plan to purchase holiday gifts and other holiday-related items this season, with 78% planning to spend the same or more than last year. The top 10% of shoppers anticipate spending five times more than the average consumer, underscoring the outsized influence a small group of high-spending shoppers can have on holiday sales.

“Consumers have made it clear they are willing to make sacrifices for the things that matter to them this holiday season, but they are making careful decisions about when and where they spend to make that money go further,” said Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC. “Shoppers remain resilient, but they’re more discerning and value-conscious; competitive prices, convenient shopping options and experiences that bring people together are non-negotiable for retailers to attract shoppers and give them reasons to return throughout the season.”

In ICSC’s survey, 83% of consumers can keep up with their essential expenses but many acknowledge increased financial pressure. Nearly half (49%) are concerned about being able to afford holiday gifts this year and 50% say their personal or household debt will affect their holiday spending. Consumers that say concerns about the job market will affect how much they plan to spend this holiday season increased from 43% to 49% year-over-year.

As a result, many shoppers plan to make financial tradeoffs to cover their purchases. Nearly half (49%) expect to borrow money to cover purchases they cannot immediately pay for in full, while 47% anticipate holiday expenses will delay or reduce debt repayment, savings or retirement contributions. Nearly one in four (23%) expect to still be paying for their 2026 holiday purchases in 2027.

While preserving holiday traditions remains a compelling reason for consumers to continue spending, this does not guarantee loyalty to familiar retailers or brands. Fifty-eight percent expect to try a new brand, and 52% plan to shop with a retailer they have not used before. Twenty-seven percent plan more research or comparison shopping because of higher prices or budget concerns, while 25% expect to switch to lower-priced products or brands. Even among shoppers planning to spend more, more than four in 10 expect to buy fewer items, choose cheaper alternatives or buy secondhand.

Value can get shoppers through the door, while opportunities to spend time together give stores a role beyond completing a purchase. Sixty-eight percent say discounts, promotions and exclusive offers will encourage additional store trips, and 93% expect to visit a physical store to purchase an item or pick up an online order, including 97% of Gen Z.

For younger shoppers, a store visit also offers a way to enjoy the season with others. Thirty-four percent of store shoppers describe their trips as social outings or a combination of shopping, dining and entertainment. This increases to 48% among Gen Z. Half of Gen Z holiday shoppers also plan to spend more on experiences than last year, highlighting the opportunity for shopping centers to bring retail, dining and seasonal activities together.

The search for value is also shaping how shoppers plan to use AI. Sixty-one percent of holiday shoppers plan to use AI tools or assistants — up from 47% in 2025. Comparing prices is the most common planned use (29%), followed by researching products and features (19%), checking availability (18%) and finding deals (16%). Many shoppers plan to use AI as a starting point rather than a purchasing tool, with 86% intending to conduct additional research before making a purchase.

“Consumers are placing a premium on experiences this holiday season, viewing stores as more than places for transactions,” said McGee. “The human experience remains a core part of holiday shopping, and retailers that transform a simple errand into an outing or a memory are most likely to capture consumer dollars this season and beyond.”

Methodology

The 2026 ICSC Holiday Intentions Survey was conducted online from September 21-23, 2026. The survey represents a demographically representative sample of 1,003 respondents.

About ICSC

ICSC is the preeminent membership organization serving the commercial real estate and retail industries. The organization promotes and elevates the marketplaces and spaces where people shop, dine, work, play and gather as foundational and vital ingredients of communities and economies. ICSC produces experiences that create connections and catalyze deals; aggressively advocates to shape public policy; develops high-impact marketing and public relations that influence opinion; provides an enduring platform for professional success; and creates forward-thinking content with actionable insights — all of which drive industry innovation and growth. For more information, please visit www.ICSC.com.

2026-09-29T10:17:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Culinary professionals see destinations through the lens of the cultures, seasons and agriculture that shape them.
• Planning your travel around what grows locally and what’s in season makes for better culinary travel experiences.
• Seek out food festivals, foraging weekends and farm-to-table wine dinners like those offered throughout agriculturally rich areas like Michigan.

One of the best parts of vacation is experiencing local foods, fresh ingredients and related customs, but how do you find authentic spots and dishes? According to people who work in the food business, there are a few tricks to uncovering great culinary moments while traveling.

1. Eat the season: Align your trip with the harvest

Epicureans don’t just ask where to eat; they ask when. Timing your travels to the harvest or what’s in season offers a more flavorful experience. In Michigan, the second most agriculturally diverse state in America, this means seeking out peaches and sweet corn in the late summer or earthy dishes featuring foraged ramps and morels in the spring.

“I tell people to plan around produce, from spring rhubarb and asparagus to the last autumn apples and winter squash — even maple tapping season,” says cookbook author and baker Martin Sorge. “Check with local farmers to confirm when peak season is to plan your trip, and remember Northern Michigan can be several weeks behind other areas of the Midwest. You’ll find the best Northern Michigan cherries mid-to-late July, for example.”

“There’s an incredible sense of pride, community and connection to nature in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, so I aim to let the land tell the story and guide the menu by using hyperlocal, seasonal produce and foraged goods,” says Carrie Masters, chef and owner of Bird & Toad in Marquette. “My favorite meals are often pieced together from local purveyors, and they are always best enjoyed out in nature right where the ingredients came from.”

2. Map the cultural diaspora

Authentic food cultures thrive within regional enclaves. Seek out areas where immigrant populations have come to anchor the local cuisine or create fresh fusion experiences, like Detroit-area Levantine bakeries and cafés.

“Detroit has become like a mini-Los Angeles, with pockets of truly surprising and authentic international cuisine and fusions, like Mexican, Cantonese and amazing Korean-American chefs cooking the foods of their home, and adopted city,” says Matt Rodbard, an award-winning food and culture writer and editor of TASTE.

3. Anchor travel around food-centric festivals

Rather than rushing between scattered dining spots, use slow travel principles to anchor your itinerary around regional celebrations, such as harvest and food and wine festivals, like the November Art Coast Food and Wine Festival in Saugatuck Douglas. These events allow visitors to sample a wide range of local flavors at their peak.

4. Be part of the meal prep

True food travel means getting your hands dirty. Seek out u-pick farms and orchards, foraging walks with resort chefs or creamery workshops, like those offered throughout Michigan’s wine coast at properties like Black Star Farms. Participating in the harvest or subsequent meal preparation builds a tangible connection to the land and makes the final dish more rewarding.

“The best culinary experiences give you a sense of place,” says Danny Simmons, director of culinary and events at Black Star Farms. “We believe in the idea that what grows together, goes together, and we build our food and wine experiences around what Northern Michigan is giving us in that moment alongside wines grown and made here. Through experiences like our hands-on cooking classes, dinners and other culinary programs, we invite guests to be part of that connection rather than simply observe it, gaining a deeper understanding of the land, the season and what pairs well together.”

5. Embrace unexpected and interesting pairings

Instead of getting that wine you always get, lean into the local beverage terroir. Pair a funky Michigan washed-rind cheese with a dry heirloom hard cider, or local Great Lakes whitefish with a crisp Old Mission Peninsula Riesling. Local wines, beers and aged ingredients are truly an artifact of the landscape.

Keep these tips in mind as you plan your next vacation. You don’t need to work in the culinary industry to uncover vibrant flavors and authentic experiences when traveling.

Photo above: People enjoying the autumn harvest at Chateau Chantal winery on Traverse City’s Old Mission Peninsula. Photo credit: Pure Michigan

2026-09-23T07:19:00

(BPT) – Parenting today isn’t about following a single, rigid rulebook — it’s about adaptability. As families celebrate National Family Day this fall, modern parents are moving away from the traditional one-size-fits-all parenting methods of the past in favor of fluid strategies tailored to their child’s unique needs and personalities. However, while parenting styles may change, the one thing that remains constant is that families thrive when supported by their chosen village.

Parents are getting creative when it comes to selecting a parenting approach

According to survey data from the Kiddie Academy^® brand, a third-generation family-owned provider of educational child care, 7 in 10 parents are choosing parenting styles based on what their child needs, rather than relying on a single method. In fact, nearly 23% of surveyed parents are taking a completely different approach from how they were raised, blending elements that span from “dolphin” to free-range parenting. Today’s moms and dads work collaboratively with their kids and are moving away from traditional expectations of strict obedience or sink-or-swim independence. Ultimately, this modern approach prioritizes the richness of the childhood experience and the holistic well-being of the child, with parents actively taking ownership of that outcome.

Gen Z parents, in particular, are using a mix of styles focused on prioritizing real-world consequences, healing generational trauma and treating each child as a unique individual, according to the research.

Three styles shaping modern homes

“Dolphin parents” seek to provide guidelines rather than strict rules, according to Dr. Shimi Kang’s book, “The Dolphin Way.” The intent is to foster self-sufficiency and social skills without the stress. This parenting style is collaborative and fluid.

Free-range parenting focuses on giving children lots of freedom and white space to problem solve without hovering — it’s the opposite of helicopter parenting and is thought to build self-reliance and independence in children. Furthermore, free-range parenting encourages kids to get outside and explore, which aligns with the “going analog” parenting trend, advocating physical, tactile and offline activities.

“CEO parenting” takes a corporate approach to child rearing by hiring a team of specialists to take over mundane tasks and milestone developmental moments like potty training. A recent Wall Street Journal article sheds light on this niche parenting approach emerging among a subset of wealthy families. They are spending extra on services like nannies, baby chefs and tutors in order to free up time to make “high-impact, core memories.”

Connecting the home approach to early education

Modern parenting styles may adapt and evolve, but families thrive when they have a consistent foundation. Research shows that almost 4 in 5 parents say it’s important that their child’s early education provider use a similar approach to what they do at home.

A quality child care team doesn’t replace a family’s style — it complements it. Whether a home leans into free-range exploration, dolphin-style collaboration, or structured CEO efficiency, providers like Kiddie Academy serve as an extension of the family village by offering a flexible, nurturing environment that reinforces those core values.

Strengthening the family unit

With 54% of full-time working parents struggling to balance job and family responsibilities, according to a Pew Research Center survey, a trusted child care partner helps lift the everyday pressure.

“Balancing a family requires significant time and effort,” said Joy Turner, chief academic officer for Kiddie Academy. “When parents lean on a network of family, friends or reliable high-quality child care, it reduces their stress and creates opportunities to simply enjoy being parents.”

This National Family Day, remember there is no single right way to parent. Whatever approach works for your home, having a trusted partner in your child’s early education gives your family the freedom to focus on what matters most: building strong bonds, making core memories and growing together.

2026-09-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – By Dorene Mills, Hannaford Supermarkets Chef

Back-to-school season brings busier calendars, tighter routines and more decisions — all while families are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budgets. Getting fresh, nutritious meals on the table doesn’t have to take hours in the kitchen or require going over budget on your weekly shop.

As a mom of two, here are a few of my favorite tips to simplify your meal planning, so eating well on busy weeknights is both easy and affordable.

1. Stretch one protein across multiple meals

A simple way to stretch your budget and simplify meal planning is to choose a versatile protein that can serve as the foundation for several dinners.

For example, proteins such as chicken, turkey, eggs, beans and lentils serve as blank canvases for different flavor profiles. Plus, they can easily adapt to tacos, pasta dishes, sandwiches and meal-prep bowls. Once you’ve picked your proteins, pair them with affordable vegetables, grains or legumes to create satisfying, delicious meals for the whole family throughout the week.

2. Prioritize purchasing store brand products

Did you know that store brand products typically cost 25-30% less than their name brand counterparts? By choosing store brand products, you can save on everyday staples and pantry essentials without compromising on quality.

The next time you shop, be sure to keep an eye out for the wide selection of Hannaford brand items throughout the store. They all deliver national brand quality at affordable prices, guaranteed. Focus on small, strategic swaps throughout the cart that can create meaningful savings without changing the overall meal, like pasta, rice, canned goods, dairy products and frozen foods.

Savings secret: When you sign up for My Hannaford Rewards, you’ll earn rewards on all store brand purchases and get personalized coupons to use on your next shop. It’s easy!

3. Shop your kitchen first and weekly sales second

Have you ever bought another can of black beans only to find that you already had four cans tucked in the back corner of your pantry? You can avoid unnecessary purchases like this by checking your refrigerator, freezer and pantry before making a grocery list.

Once you know what items you really need, look for sales on versatile ingredients and plan how each purchase will be used to cut down on food waste and get more value from every grocery trip.

Savings secret: You can make shopping for deals easier by using Hannaford.com or the Hannaford app. From home or the office, you can browse weekly sales and clip digital coupons ahead of your next shop. You can also use Hannaford To Go to build your cart around the best offers and schedule a convenient pickup time that fits into your busy schedule. Using the past purchases feature can also create budget consistency week over week.

4. Use time savers and convenience foods strategically

Don’t overlook ready-made meals and foods! Convenience foods are great budget tools that can help prevent those more expensive last-minute takeout orders. Plus, balancing convenient items like ready-to-heat chicken potpie or a ready-to-cook stir-fry kit with affordable staples already at home can help keep the overall meal cost manageable and save time.

5. Plan portions to reduce food waste

Food waste is a sneaky drain on your grocery budget. The good news is that there are some ways you can reduce waste and keep more money in your pocket.

First, consider how many people each meal needs to serve before purchasing ingredients or deciding how much to prepare. Knowing the portion size for each meal can keep you from overspending and throwing out uneaten food.

Next, freeze extra proteins, produce and prepared foods before they spoil. Make sure to divide them into meal-size portions for future use, so you know exactly how many people you can feed and speed up meal prep.

Finally, give leftovers a specific role in the weekly meal plan. Whether they become lunch the next day or are transformed into a different dinner, it’s a delicious and simple way to prevent food waste.

Get the most value out of every grocery trip

Remember, affordability isn’t necessarily about buying the cheapest thing, and it doesn’t require sacrificing flavor, nutrition or convenience either. By planning ahead, making thoughtful substitutions and choosing ingredients that can work across several meals, families can spend more intentionally and approach busy school nights with greater confidence. For more shopping tips and affordable meal solutions, visit Hannaford.com.

2026-09-15T05:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Data from Florida Realtors^® shows the housing market is stabilizing.
• Sustained sales, balancing inventory and steady pricing give buyers time to weigh options.
• Homebuyers and Realtors^® can find reliable data in reports from Florida Realtors^®, with monthly housing reports led by Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor.
• Making a decision about buying a home is highly personal and can benefit from local expertise and guidance of a Realtor^®.

After years of dramatic pandemic-era ups and downs and the transition period that followed, the 2026 Florida housing market has shown clear signs of stabilizing. According to data from Florida Realtors^®, led by Chief Economist Brad O’Connor, Ph.D., today’s market is becoming more balanced and predictable, bringing welcome news to homebuyers trying to make sense of mixed market signals.

“It’s easy to focus on a single month’s numbers, but headline statistics don’t always tell the real story,” said O’Connor. “Dramatic percentage swings can obscure the bigger picture. Looking at longer-term trends, with the proper context, provides a clearer view of current market conditions.”

Here’s a look at what’s really going on with Florida real estate today.

What are signs of a stable housing market?

The pandemic-era real estate surge was followed by a period of declining sales as the market adjusted, revealing a market in transition. Today’s story is different: a steadier, more predictable rhythm, supported by more than 10 months of:

• Sustained year-over-year increases in closed sales
• Inventory continuing to normalize
• Pricing holding steady

Recent data reinforces those longer-term trends. According to Florida Realtors^®, the number of total statewide existing single-family home sales in July was up 5% from the previous year, with existing condo-townhouse sales also up for the 11th straight month. Single-family home median sale prices were up 3.7% year-over-year. In another welcome sign, condo/townhouse median prices, which have seen challenges in recent years, are holding steady, remaining consistent with July 2025.

New pending sales and pending inventory have consistently risen year over year for single-family homes and condos/townhouses, as well, suggesting more positive activity ahead.

2026-09-14T08:01:01

(BPT) – By Ali Tager, Vice President of External Affairs, National Cryptocurrency Association

Sixty-seven million Americans, or one in four adults, now hold crypto. Despite crypto’s established presence, there’s still misinformation and confusion about the technology.

Everyday people and businesses are using these digital tools for practical, real-world purposes like sending money to friends and family, accepting payments, donating to charity, or paying for goods and services.

Our latest research shows that crypto is becoming mainstream, moving from a novel concept into an everyday financial tool.

1. Crypto is being adopted by everyday Americans

Crypto isn’t just for tech bros or the financial elite. Instead, holders reflect the everyday American in a variety of ways:

• Nearly a quarter of holders make $75,000 or less per year
• They are just as likely to work in construction as in technology
• 18% of new holders are between 18 and 24 years old, and 28% are 55 or older
• Women account for 42% of new crypto holders

Karin is one of those women. She was an unbanked, middle-class housewife who was financially cut-off, until she taught herself to trade crypto. She used crypto to rebuild her finances and secure a future for herself and her children. Crypto became a lifeline for her, and helped her achieve financial sovereignty and freedom. Traditional financial systems hadn’t worked for her, but crypto did.

2. Crypto supports financial independence

For millions of Americans, crypto is a practical tool that fits directly into daily life. More than half of holders say using digital assets has increased their financial independence, including Jake, a small business owner in California.

His dream was to manage his businesses and have time to spend with his family. With crypto, he can access his finances whenever, wherever. Crypto gave him more autonomy over his own life and finances, and he treats it as part of the future he’s building for his kids.

Jake isn’t alone. For many holders, it comes down to basic convenience and personal agency.

3. The crypto industry is driving broader economic growth

Crypto supports approximately 232,000 jobs across the U.S., spanning customer service, trucking, healthcare and more. Crypto jobs are creating $55 billion in economic activity and $31 billion in worker income each year. When more people can fully participate in financial systems, more economic activity is created for individuals, local businesses and communities.

Clayton, a master plumber in Texas, runs his family’s 80-year-old company. After doing his own research over 10 years ago, he decided to enter the crypto space. Over time, crypto naturally became integrated into his company, and he now accepts it alongside cards, checks and cash. Offering crypto at checkout gives customers more choice, just like the card reader did years ago.

4. Clear education is essential for the future

Crypto has become a gateway into financial literacy more broadly. More than half of holders cited learning and personal growth as a benefit, up from 45% the year before — a growing signal that engaging with crypto is teaching people more about their finances overall. Expanding plain-language educational resources and practical learning tools is essential to lowering these hurdles, demystifying the technology, and empowering everyday individuals to participate in the digital economy with confidence.

5. Regulatory clarity and consumer protection

Alongside accessible education, establishing smart consumer safeguards will be fundamental to building long-term trust, safety and stability in digital finance. Nearly three-quarters of current holders (73%) believe it’s important for the U.S. to become the global leader in crypto. The same number want stronger consumer protections measures for people investing in, holding or using crypto. American crypto holders want to navigate digital asset tools safely, securely and transparently, with 71% of today’s holders asking for comprehensive legislation that addresses gaps in current law.

Establishing thoughtful, common-sense frameworks provides the structural clarity needed to protect consumers while encouraging responsible innovation.

How to learn more about crypto

NCA helps make sense of crypto by sharing real stories from everyday people and small businesses from across the country, providing educational resources, and offering guidance and support.

If you’re ready to learn more, explore our free guides, educational tools and real-world stories at NCA.org/resources.

2026-09-02T18:31:00

(BPT) – By Park Won-jae, head of IR Division at LG Electronics

The role of investor relations extends beyond communicating a company’s financial and operating performance. It also involves articulating the new opportunities the company is positioned to capture amid shifts across industries, and clearly explaining how it plans to translate those opportunities into tangible business results. Through this work, IR helps enhance enterprise value.

As the head of the Investor Relations (IR) Division at LG Electronics, I have met with global investors and analysts and observed a clear shift in how they view LG Electronics. Early in our business transformation, discussions focused largely on demand and profitability in traditional businesses such as home appliances. More recently, as attention to physical AI has increased, interest has turned toward our growth areas: AI Data Center (AIDC) cooling, smart factories, robotics and vehicle solutions.

Morgan Stanley’s recently published report, LG Trio: Next Growth Chapter, reflects this evolving market perspective. Rather than assessing LG affiliates by individual industries — home appliances, displays and optical components — the report frames LG in the context of physical AI and AI’s expansion into the physical world.

Building Physical AI on Decades of Experience

At LG, we see physical AI as a natural extension of the capabilities we have built over decades and a significant opportunity to turn those capabilities into new drivers of growth.

In the physical AI era, AI model performance is only part of the equation. Success will also depend on the ability to deploy and operate AI reliably across diverse environments. From this perspective, LG Electronics’ 70 years of business experience spanning homes, commercial environments and industrial sites, combined with the real-world data accumulated across these spaces, provide a powerful foundation for turning physical AI into practical, scalable solutions.

Across these businesses, we are already extending our capabilities into new applications. Our manufacturing expertise supports smart factory and robotics solutions, while more than 60 years of compressor and motor technology informs robotic actuators, and our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) thermal management capabilities contribute to AIDC cooling.

Building on these capabilities, Morgan Stanley sees LG Electronics as playing the role of a “Physical AI Orchestrator” within the broader One LG ecosystem. In this role, we bring together LG Innotek’s sensing technologies, LG Display’s visual experience expertise, LG Energy Solution’s battery technologies, LG CNS’s systems integration capabilities and LG AI Research’s foundational AI technologies to create AI business synergies across the LG Group.

The Next Phase of Our Physical AI Strategy

However, strong technology and large addressable markets alone are insufficient. What capital markets ultimately assess is a company’s ability to commercialize those strengths and generate sustainable earnings. Our physical AI roadmap spans both current business opportunities and the capabilities required for future applications.

In the home, we are strengthening our AI Home business leadership through AI-enabled appliances and subscription and care services. In industrial settings, we are expanding the smart factory solutions order pipeline by combining AI and robotics. We are also applying our HVAC expertise to grow our AIDC cooling business and expect to begin full-scale actuator production within the year for use in humanoid robots.

The LG Data Factory, currently under construction, is being built to support the next phases of this strategy. It will serve as a hub for our physical AI data flywheel, training and refining our Robot Foundation Model (RFM) with real-world data and validating it in robot applications. This cycle of data, model and robot-performance improvement is intended to expand our robot business from industrial and commercial solutions into residential applications.

Turning Transformation Into Value

We have always looked to evolve our portfolio with changing market conditions. Alongside our core home appliance competitiveness, we have expanded our B2B presence through vehicle solutions and HVAC, while developing non-hardware businesses including subscriptions and webOS. B2B accounted for 36% of our revenue mix as of Q2 2026, and we aim to increase this share to approximately 45% by 2030.

As AI reshapes industries, physical AI represents the next phase of our portfolio evolution. At LG, we are ready to meet the challenge by building on our established capabilities and investing in emerging business areas that can support long-term growth.

Morgan Stanley’s report is significant because it illustrates the market’s view of our transformation and growth potential. Going forward, we will continue to use our IR activities to show how our business innovation and tangible results strengthen LG’s long-term investment case.

2026-08-31T07:01:03

(BPT) – For many veterans with disabilities, service to the nation does not end when active duty ends. It continues through civilian roles that support federal missions, strengthen domestic production and contribute to military readiness.

The transition from military service to civilian employment can be challenging, as veterans often leave structured environments and must adjust to new workplaces while seeking meaningful, stable careers. Veterans with service-related disabilities often face additional barriers to employment. They also make up a growing share of today’s veterans: Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 34% had service-related disabilities in 2025, compared with 20% in 2015. For many of these veterans, employment plays a central role in successful reintegration and long-term well-being.

Through the AbilityOne^® Program and SourceAmerica’s nationwide network, veterans with disabilities gain access to employment opportunities that connect their skills and experience to government needs. More than 300 nonprofit agencies in the network employ more than 37,400 people with disabilities across the country, including more than 2,700 veterans with disabilities.

These jobs enable veterans to continue contributing to the nation in ways that reflect the discipline, training and mission focus developed during military service while supporting economic independence and stability.

For veterans with disabilities, AbilityOne contracts create pathways into roles that mirror the purpose-driven nature of military service. These positions support federal agencies and military installations through domestic manufacturing, IT services, logistics, facilities support and other essential services.

Phoenix is one such nonprofit that offers veterans and other individuals with disabilities the opportunity to support federal agencies and mission-critical operations. Phoenix employees manufacture products that support the U.S. military, including aircraft safety belts, single-point release harnesses, fire blankets and burial flags.

Employees with disabilities at Phoenix manufacture American flags for Veterans Affairs

As workforce shortages persist nationwide, individuals with disabilities, including veterans, remain an underutilized part of the labor force. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than twice that of people without disabilities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Expanding employment pathways for veterans with disabilities can help address workforce gaps while strengthening capacity across sectors.

Veterans bring teamwork, leadership, technical training, reliability and mission-focused problem-solving to civilian roles. Through the expansion of new technologies, workplace accommodations and flexible job design, veterans with disabilities excel in modern workplaces.

Andres Rugerio is one example of the work ethic, leadership and technical expertise that veterans bring to the job market. A veteran with a service-related disability, he serves as a Tier 2 help desk analyst with InspiriTec, a nonprofit in SourceAmerica’s network. After serving 25 years in the U.S. Army, he transitioned into civilian employment through the AbilityOne Program. Today, he supports the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Center at Fort Knox, where he helps manage technical operations for more than 2.8 million members of the military community.

Veteran Andres Rugerio, Tier 2 help desk analyst at InspiriTec, now supports U.S. military bases through technical operations

Veteran employment, domestic manufacturing and workforce development are closely linked. Strengthening employment pathways for veterans with disabilities supports broader goals related to economic resilience, supply chain stability and federal mission readiness.

The AbilityOne Program contributes directly to these priorities. According to current data, 89% of Procurement List items from SourceAmerica’s network are wholly made in America, and 96% are either made in America or compliant with Buy American Act or the Trade Agreements Act. The Program also generates an estimated $2.66 in return for every $1 spent on administration and reduces federal benefit program costs by approximately $191 million annually. Through federal procurement, AbilityOne provides an established mechanism for connecting workforce needs with capable workers, including veterans with disabilities, while supporting domestic production and federal operational requirements.

For many veterans with disabilities, service continues long after active duty ends. Through employment in SourceAmerica’s network, they contribute to the production of goods and services that support federal agencies, strengthen communities and reinforce national preparedness. America is strongest when those who have served are able to continue contributing their skills and experience in meaningful ways.

North Bay Industries employee Chris Huntley manufactures fully Made in America flags for Veterans Affairs

Learn more about the difference veterans with disabilities are making at https://AmericaIsMadeHere.org.

The mention of the U.S. Government in this article does not imply endorsement by the government of the product or service provided by the nonprofit agency to the government.

2026-08-26T07:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• Despite the claim that AI is coming for entry-level jobs, now is one of the most exciting times to start a career.
• AI is changing entry-level tasks, not eliminating the need for entry-level roles.
• Organizations should focus on rebuilding what a first job looks like in the evolving world of work.
• Companies like Cognizant are building the training infrastructure to support entry-level workers in the AI era.

By Kathy Diaz, Chief People Officer, Cognizant

Every week brings another story about how AI is coming for entry-level jobs. The principle seems logical: AI does the traditional grunt work, so the first rung of the ladder disappears.

What’s actually happening is more nuanced — and far more promising — than the headlines suggest.

For graduates who understand what is changing, this may be one of the most exciting moments in recent memory to begin a career.

The misconception: Entry-level jobs are less valuable with AI

AI is changing entry-level tasks, not eliminating the need for entry-level roles. That’s an important distinction. A recent Cognizant and Pearson study found that 94% of HR leaders expect AI to create new entry-level roles in the next five years.

For decades, entry-level tasks have been administrative: gather information, build presentations, produce reports. It was an apprenticeship model — you had to earn the right to contribute by first proving you could handle the fundamentals. AI now handles much of that initial legwork in seconds.

This opens the door to more meaningful work earlier in a career. Today’s entry-level tasks are elevated: designing AI-enabled workflows, evaluating the quality of AI outputs or identifying opportunities to improve how work gets done.

That means early-career talent can contribute to work closer to the core problems a business is trying to solve, making them even more valuable to organizations.

Many organizations have not yet redesigned early-career jobs

The truth is many entry-level roles are disappearing because companies have yet to redefine them. Freezing campus hiring is shortsighted. What really needs to be done is rebuilding what a first job looks like as the world of work continues to evolve.

Cognizant is rewriting the early-career path. Our Frontier Center of Excellence is defining what AI-era roles require, building the training infrastructure to support them, and giving campus talent a structured path into roles like Frontier Certified Engineer and Frontier Business Operator. These roles are designed around urgent enterprise needs, enabled by AI: redesigning processes, improving operations and turning AI capability into measurable business value.

To keep pace with a world where skills evolve continuously, we have reimagined learning itself. Skillspring, our proprietary AI-native learning platform, continuously senses changing role requirements and connects talent with personalized learning to help them stay ready for frontier work.

And we’re backing this with hiring at scale. Cognizant onboarded 25,000 campus graduates globally in 2025 and is on track to hire more this year, at a time when plenty of others have pulled back.

The early-career skills that have become more valuable

Graduates today have a massive advantage as the first AI-native generation. After 20-plus years of continuous education, they are uniquely prepared to thrive in a world where continuous learning is the norm. And, they bring the entrepreneurial hunger to challenge assumptions and create new ways of doing things.

They also still have plenty to learn. In the Cognizant and Pearson study, 97% of HR leaders said human-centered skills matter more than ever in the AI era, while 67% said they value liberal arts degrees more than they used to because of the interdisciplinary thinking, contextual reasoning and communication they can bring.