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Cover Story
Veteran Business Buyers: SBA’s New Equity Flexibility Still Needs a Cash Plan
A Veterans Day financing change can alter the source of acquisition equity. Buyers still need to test the purchase, the funding terms and the first months of ownership.
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Before Holiday Volume Rises, Put Restaurant Refrigeration Repairs on a Written List
A worn seal deserves an owner and a repair date. Use an equipment walk-through to connect maintenance, food protection and the operating budget.
Holiday Gift Card Fraud: Give the Counter Staff a Clear Escalation Plan
Tampered packaging and coached purchases call for a calm response. Build a store procedure before the holiday queue gets long.
Embedded Checkout Security: Ask for Evidence About the Page Around the Payment Form
PCI SSC’s guidance distinguishes embedded forms from redirects. Merchants should document their actual checkout and the protection their provider confirms.
SBA’s Higher Veteran-Contracting Goal: Build a Bid Decision Around the Actual Opportunity
SBA announced a 10% FY2027 veteran prime-contracting and subcontracting goal. AMS explains why certification, solicitation requirements and delivery capacity still need separate review.
SBA’s iCAP Rollout: A Better Loan Workflow Still Needs a Correct Borrower File
SBA’s new iCAP platform promises lender workflow improvements through phased onboarding. Eric Kuvykin explains the borrower questions that remain separate from the technology rollout.
Adobe’s Holiday Forecast: AI-Referred Traffic Still Has to Complete a Useful Purchase
Adobe forecasts $275.1 billion in U.S. online holiday sales and 130% growth in AI-referred retail traffic. Eric Kuvykin examines the product information and checkout work behind the forecast.
NFIB’s October Survey: Steady Optimism Is a Reason to Test the Business Plan, Not Freeze It
NFIB’s November 10 release puts October optimism at 97.8 and uncertainty at 84. Suzan Gold explains how to translate the survey into a measured operating review.
Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Build the Customer Promise Backward From the Carrier Handoff
USPS’s recommended 2026 mailing dates are only part of a retailer’s holiday cutoff. Include stock, preparation, packing and customer communication before promising a shipment date.
General Business Credits: When Unused Amounts May Carry to Other Years
An unused business credit needs a year-by-year reconciliation. Separate calculated credits, amounts allowed on returns and cash actually received.
Food Delivery: Employee and Self-Employed Deduction Questions
Delivery workers need a payer-by-payer record of wages, platform compensation and voluntary tips before evaluating the qualified-tips deduction.
Salons and Spas: Reviewing the First Year of the Expanded Employer Credit
Suzan Gold examines the final 2025 Form 8846 instructions and the employer, service and payroll records a salon or spa should assemble before reviewing the expanded credit.