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☆ Walgreens has a cult ‘peelable’ candy, courtesy of a Tik Tok craze
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For the beleaguered drugstore chain, the odd “Gummy Mango” candy is a much-needed win. Walgreens said it didn’t work with any paid influencer to hype up its mango gummies but that it took off organically. Walgreens is quickly following up on the success of its mango gummy with a new peelable banana gummy candy. As Esarte and his team rushed to restock the mango gummies last last year, a bigger challenge emerged. After weeks of scrambling and rushing, Walgreens is better prepared to make a bigger splash with the mango gummies.

Persons: It’s, Keonhee Kim, TikToker @Trinhdoesthings, ”, Marty Esarte, Esarte, we’ve, ” Esarte, Anthony Behar, Gen Z, China grinds, “ We’ve, Kim, Tim Wentworth, Tim, ” Kim Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, CNN, National Confectioners Association, Food Institute, Millennial, Morningstar Locations: New York, Asia, China

☆ Express files for bankruptcy; closing more than 100 stores
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Trendy fashion retailer Express Inc. has filed for bankruptcy after consistently struggling with continued missteps over its merchandise mix that failed to get shoppers excited. The retailer filed with the bankruptcy court in Delaware and said it also plans to shutter several stores as part of the process. The company operates Express, Express factory outlets, Bonobos and UpWest stores under its corporate umbrella and said in a release Monday that it plans to close 95 Express locations (it operates more than 500 in the US) and all UpWest locations with closing sales at those stores set to begin on April 23. “With the company struggling to gain traction with consumers, it has been obvious for quite some time that bankruptcy was the inevitable destination for Express,” Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said in a note Monday. “We are taking an important step that will strengthen our financial position and enable Express to continue advancing our business initiatives.

Persons: “, Neil Saunders, GlobalData, ”, Saunders, ” Stewart Glendinning, “ WHP, ” Glendinning Organizations: New, New York CNN, Express Inc, Express, WHP Global Locations: New York, Delaware

☆ Aldi’s ‘aisle of shame’ is a middle row of goodies that have nothing to do with groceries. Shoppers are huge fans of it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Inside every Aldi store is a single aisle of merchandise that mostly has nothing to do with groceries. The Wednesday rush can often be pinned on die-hard Aldi shoppers, 3 million of whom are members of the very active Aldi Aisle of Shame Facebook page and frequently post about their latest aisle of shame hauls. They know it’s Aldi,” Pratt said. The German Supermarket acquired Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarkets and other grocery stores in the Southeast in an attempt to increase its presence in the region. That’s where this aisle of shame fits in and helps Aldi offer its low prices overall.”

Persons: New York CNN — Caitlyn Pratt, Pratt, Aldi’s, who’s, ” Pratt, she’s, “, Caitlyn Pratt, Caitlyn Pratt Pratt, ”, I’ve, Britney Henderson, Britney Henderson Britney Henderson, “ I’m, ” Henderson, Aldi, John Clear, Alvarez, Clear, Jason Hart, Brandon Bell Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, Aldi, CNN, ALDI, Morning, Target, Costco, German Supermarket, Harveys, Products Locations: New York, Heavener , Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Atlanta , Georgia, It’s, Pflugerville , Texas, Winn

☆ Wayfair is opening its first-ever physical furniture store
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Online furniture and home furnishings seller Wayfair is set to open its first-ever namesake store next month, the company announced Thursday. It will also feature an onsite restaurant called “The Porch,” the company said, taking a page out of Ikea’s store setup. Furniture stores need to always be advertising, Saunders added, because people generally don’t buy furniture very often. This is particularly important in furniture and finishings where people like to see and try out products before buying,” Saunders said. “If this store is successful then it could be the start of wider physical expansion for Wayfair,” Saunders said.

Persons: Joss, ”, Neil Saunders, Saunders, Wayfair, it’s, Niraj Shah, Wayfair “, “ It’s, ” Saunders Organizations: New, New York CNN —, GlobalData Locations: New York, Edens, Wilmette , Illinois

☆ California just hiked minimum wage for fast food workers. Some restaurants are replacing them with kiosks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —California just raised the minimum wage for the state’s fast food sector workers by $4 to $20. And, although many casual observers disagree, higher wages for fast food workers could actually help fast food owners, Dongoski said. The employment level in fast food restaurants still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels. This has nothing to do with minimum wage.”However, the minimum wage increase serves as an accelerant, Brown said. The changes are necessary, said Ghai, who employs 3,700 fast food workers in California.

Persons: ”, Rob Dongoski, Dongoski, hasn’t, ” Dongoski, McDonald’s, Katie Fogerty, “, David Paul Morris, Burger, Marbue Brown, we’ve, ” Brown, that’s, Brown, “ It’s, Taco, Ghai, “ Everyone’s, ” Ghai, he’s, Harsh Ghai, Condie, ” Condie Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Burger, Taco Bell, CNN, California Restaurant Association Locations: New York, California, Kearney, Larkspur , California, New York City

But a new report from Consumer Reports said it recently compared the nutritional profiles of two Lunchables kits served in schools and found they have even higher levels of sodium than the Lunchables kits consumers can buy in stores. The non-profit consumer group said it has petitioned the US Department of Agriculture, which oversees the federally assisted school meal program, to remove Lunchables food kits from school cafeterias, as a result. The introduction of Lunchables in schools came amid proposed changes to school food guidelines by the USDA, which oversees the federally assisted school meal program. The proposed changes aimed to reduce added sugars and sodium levels in school-provided lunches. Food additives are considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration, but not everyone agrees.

Persons: Lunchables, Armour LunchMakers, Oscar Mayer, can’t, “, Brian Ronholm, Kraft Heinz, ” Kraft Heinz, Carlos Monteiro, Monteiro, ” Monteiro, Heinz “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Consumer, Natural Meat, World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control, US Department of Agriculture, CNN, USDA, University of Sao, NOVA, US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Science, Environmental, Kraft Locations: New York, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

☆ 8.2 million packets of Tide, Gain, Ace, and Ariel detergent pods recalled over faulty packaging
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The recall involves Tide, Gain Flings, Ace and Ariel liquid laundry detergent pod packets, which were made between September 2023 and February 2024 and sold in flexible film bags in the United States. The CPSC warned that eating a large quantity of detergent can result in death, especially among people with underlying health issues. There have been no confirmed cases of injury directly related to this packaging defect, the CPSC said. Consumers can check for recalled lot codes at pg.com/bags and compare them to codes at the bottom of their package. The CPSC has advised consumers to immediately put recalled bags out of sight and reach of children.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Procter & Gamble, US Consumer Product Safety, Sam’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Procter, Gamble Locations: New York, United States

☆ Walmart shoppers could claim up to $500 as part of a class-action settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Walmart shoppers could be entitled to as much as $500 as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement by the retailer over allegations that it overcharged customers for certain products. Walmart reached a settlement late last year to pay $45 million to customers, while denying any allegations of wrongdoing. They include:–$10 without a receipt, but a shopper can attest to buying up to 50 weighted goods and/or bagged citrus in-person in a Walmart store during the settlement class period. –$25 without receipts or proof of purchase but attest to buying 101 or more weighted goods and/or bagged citrus. Walmart shoppers can file a claim online or via mail, postmarked, on or before June 5, 2024.

Persons: “ Organizations: CNN, Walmart, Citrus Locations: United States, Puerto Rico

☆ Doughnuts, smoothies, pizza, MoonPie, eyewear — brands are going all out-of-this-world with solar eclipse-themed goodies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday, April 8, millions of people will witness a rare total solar eclipse as it passes over Mexico, the United States and Canada. For starters, Pizza Hut will give customers a “Total Eclipse of the Hut” deal on eclipse day, offering any large-sized pizza for $12. This is the second time Krispy Kreme has created a new one pegged to a total solar eclipse. Back in 2017, during the last total solar eclipse in the US, the brand used chocolate to cover its original glazed doughnut. NASA recommends wearing a set of eclipse glasses that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international standard when viewing any solar eclipse.

Persons: New York CNN —, celestially, Kreme, Koen Pauwels, ”, ” Pauwels, “, Smoothie King, Burger, Parker, MoonPie, graham, Tory Johnston, MoonPie's, Johnston Organizations: New, New York CNN, Eclipse, Northeastern University, NASA, Chattanooga Bakery, Inc, Kroger Locations: New York, Mexico, United States, Canada, Chattanooga

☆ The ‘Sephora kid’ trend shows tweens are psyched about skincare. But their overzealous approach is raising concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Tweens gravitate to Sephora and Ulta for the same reason that adult shoppers do. Carlo Allegri/ReutersThe retinol products sold in beauty products stores, she said, are for mature skin of older consumers. The beauty products chain also operates several hundred smaller format Sephora stores inside of Kohl’s department stores. Jennifer O’Brien celebrated her twin daughters’ 12th birthday at an event held at a Sephora store in Long Island, New York. Jennifer O’Brien's treated her twin daughters to a skincare event for their birthday this year at a Sephora store.

Persons: New York CNN — Tweens, skincare, ”, Lauren Penzi, gravitate, “, Stacey Tull, Tull, “ Retinol, it’s, Carlo Allegri, Penzi, she’s, Ulta, tweens, She’s, ” Penzi, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Jennifer O’Brien, Jennifer O’Brien Ulta, O’Brien, Stanley, JC Penney, Jennifer O’Brien's, Jennifer O’Brien “, Gen Alpha, Sheryl Jorgensen Masowdi’s tween, Sheryl Jorgensen Masowdi, Masowdi Organizations: New, New York CNN, Gen Alpha, CNN, influencers, ”, Gen Locations: New York, Sephora, New York City, Missouri, Manhattan, United States, Long Island , New York

☆ Did your chef wash their hands? Handwashing ‘lie detectors’ could find out
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Food workers wash their hands as they should only one in three times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The consequence: Germs spread from food workers’ hands to food, which can trigger an outbreak of dangerous foodborne illness in restaurants. By improving handwashing practices, food workers can be a critical part to preventing outbreaks of diseases like norovirus, Salmonella, and E. coli, it said. “In all circumstances, thorough, frequent hand hygiene is critical for preventing the spread of disease. Technology can potentially assist with increasing compliance and quality of hand hygiene, and that is very exciting indeed,” she said.

Persons: It’s, Christine Schindler, Schindler, ”, ” Waanders, Rebecca Bartles, Bartles, Don’t, there’s, ” Schindler, “, “ We’ve, PathSpot, Colin McCabe Organizations: New, New York CNN, Centers for Disease Control, Taco Bell, Association for Professionals, CNN, “, Environmental Health, Duke University, Employees, Valor Siren Ventures, Starbucks Locations: New York, “, United States

☆ Stanley cup maker has a plan to make its product launches less chaotic
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s because the Stanley tumbler is arguably one of the most viral products of the moment. So Stanley maker PMI has taken a different approach with its newest limited edition tumbler launch of the much-hyped chocolate and gold Quencher. The new chocolate gold Stanley tumbler. From StanleyOn Tuesday, Stanley unveiled the limited-edition chocolate gold Quencher tumbler on its website. When Target dropped a limited-edition Valentine’s collection of Stanley tumblers in bright pink and cherry red tones in December, the situation wasn’t pretty.

Persons: New York CNN — Stanley, Stanley tumbler, it’s, Stanley, Nike —, ” Andrew Lipp, ”, ” Lipp, William Stanley, Jr, marveled, Stanley tumblers, ” Matt Navarro, Lipp Organizations: New, New York CNN, Stanley, PMI, Nike, CNN, “, Starbucks Locations: New York, Australia

☆ Gen Z is getting married. Together with Millennials, they’re putting their own spin on weddings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

As the oldest GenZers reach marrying age in their mid-20s, they’re increasingly putting their own spin on nuptials, which includes letting go of some antiquated traditions. The Knot, a top wedding planning and wedding vendor marketplace, surveyed more than 9,000 couples in the US who either took the plunge last year, or are planning to in 2024, to understand evolving approaches that couples are taking to wedding planning. In terms of the total cost of the wedding, couples said they spent an average of $35,000 on their ceremony and reception in 2023, up from an average of $30,000 the prior year, according to The Knot. “Millennials and Gen Z are getting very creative in making these celebrations their own in new and interesting ways,” Chi said. Candles instead of flowers on the tables added elegance and also helped control costs, Dylan said.

Persons: New York CNN —, they’re, Gen, ”, Tim Chi, Ed Sheeran’s, Elvis Presley’s, “, ” Osama Zayed, Ingrid, Helen H, Richardson, Elvis ’, ” Chi, RSVPs, “ Millennials, Caitlin, Dylan Spain, ” Caitlin, “ Dylan, ” Dylan, Dylan, Haley Richter, Caitlin didn’t, Edwin Torres, DeSantiago, Ricardo DeSantiago, Torres, Edwin, ” Edwin Torres, Maria Argueta, ” Edward, Edward, Harry Potter, ” chimed Ricardo Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, City, MediaNews, Denver Post, Central America, Mill City Museum, Historic Locations: New York, Denver , Colorado, Sea Isle City , New Jersey, Sea Isle City, Cape, Central, Minnesota, Mill, Minneapolis

☆ Family Dollar to pay nearly $42 million in connection with rodent-infested warehouse
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Family Dollar Stores was hit with a record fine for violating product safety standards after selling items that were stocked in a rat-infested warehouse filled with live, dead and decaying rodents. The retailer, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree was fined $41.6 million, “the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case,” the Justice Department said in a statement Monday. Family Dollar and Dollar Tree will also be under robust corporate compliance and reporting requirements for the next three years, according to the DOJ. The agency said at the time that Family Dollar has been aware of the rodent problem since at least January 2020. The DOJ said Family Dollar, which has more than 8,000 stores nationwide, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions.

Persons: ” Benjamin Mizer, exterminators, Rick Dreiling, “, Dreiling, – CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, Rebekah Riess Organizations: New, New York CNN, Justice Department, DOJ, The, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Dollar Tree’s Locations: New York, Arkansas

☆ Sweet & Sour: Here’s why Valentine’s Day candy is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

For example, she said a Valentine’s Day-themed heart-shaped box of Sour Patch Kids candy (3.45 oz) was listed on Walmart.com for $3.96 ($1.15 oz), while a regular box of the candy (3.5 oz) costs $1.24 ($0.35/oz). Walmart said it was looking into the price differences, but said some of the Valentine’s Day candy items on its website are listed by third-party sellers on Walmart marketplace. A Walmart supercenter in New Jersey visted by CNN also had the heart-shaped Sour Patch Kids candy box for $3.96 on the shelf. Some Sour Patch Kids Valentine's Day editions cost much more than the regular versions of the candy for roughly the same quantity. “Buy the candy after Valentine’s Day when it’s heavily discounted or buy the regular cheaper version of the candy and package it yourself,” he said.

Persons: don’t, Jolly, Veronica Fletcher, Fletcher, Goldbears, ”, Edgar Dworsky, “, John Talbott, ” Talbott, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, Bears, CNN, New Jersey visted, CVS, Center for Education, Research, Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business Locations: New York, New York City, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Retail

☆ Consumers are stressed. It could be showing in how we bought toys in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Consumers bought fewer toys in all of 2023, including during the key Christmas toy-buying period, showing that households continue to pare back on discretionary products. But toy sales in all of 2023 dropped 8%, both in dollar terms (how much consumers paid for toys) and in unit sales (meaning how many toys consumers bought). This shows that shoppers bought fewer toys but also traded down in prices to cheaper toys. “While 2023 was a challenging year for the U.S. toy industry, the four-year compound annual growth rate remains positive,” she said. Among the toys that consumers did buy in 2023, Pokémon, Barbie and Squishmallows were the top three best-selling brands last year, according to Circana.

Persons: pare, Circana, ”, Juli Lennett, Lennett, I’ve, “, ” Lennett, ” Jon Copestake, EY, ” Copestake, ” Robby Pettinato, Joy, ” Pettinato, Toy Joy, “ Anecdotally, “ That’s, it’s, Pettinato, Barbie, Squishmallows, Price, Melissa, Doug, – CNN’s Alicia Wallace, Katie Lobosco Organizations: New, New York CNN — Consumers, Commerce Department, Hasbro, Wild, Inc, CNN, ”, Star, Marvel, Disney Locations: New York, United States, U.S, Austin

☆ CVS fined in Ohio for understaffing pharmacy, risking staff and patient safety
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The investigation found that the store was seriously short staffed, pharmacy phones were not working properly and the AC unit was broken. A follow-up visit by agents revealed that the pharmacy was over a month behind in filling prescriptions, according to the agency’s report. In addition to the fine, regulators also put the 7292 Fulton Drive CVS store on probation for at least three years during which it will be subject to enhanced monitoring. The issues being investigated range from hundreds of prescriptions allegedly being past due, pharmacy staffing shortages, clutter and unsafe working conditions and concerns about maintaining adequate medications safety inside the pharmacy. These concerns led some pharmacists to walk out of CVS and Walgreens stores pharmacies last fall and ignited a national push to unionize pharmacy workers.

Persons: we’ve, We’re, Amy Thibault, ” Steven W, ”, Nicole Goodkind Organizations: New, New York CNN, CVS, State of Ohio, of Pharmacy, CNN, Ohio, Pharmacy, state’s, Pharmacists, Community Pharmacists Association, Walgreens, Walmart, Institute, National Institutes of Health Locations: New York, Canton , Ohio, State, Canton, Ohio, United States

☆ Wings, shrimp and booze: Super Bowl party hosts budget carefully this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“The only time I use my grill that’s outside on my deck is for my Super Bowl party,” said Steward, in an interview with CNN. Tricks to manage the costThis year is the 26th year that San Francisco resident Amy Larson and her husband are throwing their Super Bowl party. “Super Bowl every year is my excuse to make him tailgating food, in particular hot wings,” she said. Over the years, Larson has perfected a few tricks to manage her Super Bowl food budget. “I also usually buy spirits and other drinks but I’m not sure about that either because of the higher prices,” Steward said.

Persons: Tod Steward, He’s, It’s, ”, Steward, Steward hasn’t, “, haven’t, that’s, ” Tod Stewart, Tod Steward There’s, Debbie Downer, ” Michael Swanson, Swanson, ” Swanson, Amy Larson, Larson, Amy Larson's, Amy Larson “, ” Larson, he’s, ” Steward, –, Alicia Wallace Organizations: New, New York CNN, Super Bowl, CNN, Wells Fargo, San, Bowl, Super Locations: New York, Seattle, Wells, San Francisco, Bay

☆ CosMc’s first location had twice as much traffic last month than a typical McDonald’s
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —McDonald’s new trendy beverage-led spinoff CosMc’s is pulling in younger customers at a faster clip than a typical Mickey D’s with Big Macs and fries, according to one early traffic estimate. McDonald’s unveiled its CosMc’s specialty drinks cafe spinoff in December, with the first location opened in Bolingbrook, Illinois. That first CosMc’s location saw more than double the number of visits that a typical McDonald’s saw chainwide in the same month, despite only being open since Dec.7, according to a report from Placer.ai, which uses location data from mobile devices to estimate visits to specific locations. CosMc’s generated triple the number of visits per square foot than an average McDonald’s restaurant (CosMc’s has a roughly 2,500 square feet footprint compared to 4,000 to 4,500 square feet for the average McDonald’s location), the firm said. RJ Hottovy, head of analytical research with Placer.ai, said that the one CosMc’s location sometimes has to accommodate spillover traffic in a separate parking lot because the drive-thru lanes were often at full capacity.

Persons: New York CNN —, D’s, Big, McDonald’s, it’s, It’s, RJ Hottovy, ”, ” McDonald’s, Danielle Wiener, Bronner Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks Locations: New York, Bolingbrook , Illinois, Placer.ai, McDonald’s

☆ Birkenstock spooks with cautious outlook even as its sandals stay on trend
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Birkenstock sandals might be as pricey as ever, and the folksy footwear are as popular with shoppers as ever, too. Despite strong sales, the company gave a cautious outlook for 2024, saying it expects “modest headwind to impact margins.”Birkenstock shares dipped nearly 8.5% on the news Thursday. “They have really strong profitability that was really eating them during their IPO and post IPO. “Overall the brand remains healthy with strong sales growth in the fourth quarter and encouraging first-quarter trends so far. “The comfort of these sandals coincided with the casual comfort dressing trend that was already in play pre-pandemic and accelerated through it.

Persons: “, Abigail Gilmartin, Gilmartin, ”, TikTok, Beth Goldstein, Birkenstocks, Birkenstock, ” Goldstein Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg Intelligence, CNN, “ Locations: New York

☆ Walmart raises store managers’ pay for first time in a decade, average hits $128,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Now, Walmart is saying it’s going to pay the managers of those stores, charged with that huge responsibility, accordingly, with a new average salary of $128,000 a year. Walmart said Thursday it is boosting the average pay of its store managers from $117,000, or by just over 9%, the retailer announced Thursday. The company told CNN that it hasn’t made any changes to store managers’ pay structures in more than a decade, before a pandemic and all that followed subsequently, including a period of high inflation. Previously, the pay range for store managers was between $65,000 and $170,000, it said. The retailer noted that as many as 75% of its managers began their Walmart careers as hourly workers.

Persons: New York CNN —, hasn’t, ” Cedric Clark, ” Clark, “, CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, CNN, Walmart U.S, Target Locations: New York, The Minneapolis, Bentonville , Arkansas, U.S, Washington

☆ Poultry processor hit with proposed $212,646 fine after second worker, a teen, killed by machine
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The US Department of Labor is proposing a $212,646 fine against a Mississippi poultry processor after a 16-year-old sanitation worker was pulled into a chicken deboning machine and killed. The child became the second worker killed in just over two years at the plant. Mar-Jac Poultry, which could not immediately be reached for comment, operates facilities in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Mar-Jac Poultry told NBC News in October that the company has followed all safety procedures in the incident involving the teen worker. The DOL said the poultry processor currently is also under a separate child labor investigation by its wage and hour division.

Persons: Jac, Kurt Petermeyer, DOL, ” “, ” OSHA’s Petermayer Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Department of Labor, Department of Labor, Safety, Health Administration, OSHA, “, Jac Poultry, NBC News, Mar Locations: New York, Mississippi, Georgia, Hattiesburg , Mississippi, Atlanta, Mississippi , Alabama

☆ Quaker Oats recall: Cap’n Crunch cereal, granola bars and more pulled over possible salmonella risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Quaker Oats broadened its recall from last month to its granola bars, snacks and some varieties of its popular Cap’n Crunch cereal products sold nationwide due to possible Salmonella contamination. The packaged foods maker said Thursday it is recalling additional products that include more cereals bars and snacks. The affected products, listed by the US Food and Drug Administration now also include Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (Fruity Fun) Amazing Apple, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (Fruity Fun) Amazing Apple and Splendid Strawberry Variety Pack, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Yogurt Strawberry Flavor, Cap’n Crunch Treats Crunch Berries Cereal Bar, Quaker Chewy Granola Breakfast Cereal Strawberry, Cap’n Crunch Cinnamon Crunch Cereal and Cap’n Crunch OOPS! The CDC estimates more than 1 million cases of foodborne illness every year are caused by this bacteria. Quaker Oats said the recalled products were sold nationwide and in Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.

Persons: Quaker Oats, CNN’s Eva Rothenberg Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Food and Drug Administration, Apple, Centers for Disease Control, CDC, FDA, Quaker, Quaker Consumer Locations: New York, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan

☆ Starbucks sued for alleged deceptive marketing of its ‘100% ethically’ sourced coffee
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Starbucks is being sued by a consumer advocacy group alleging that the global coffee chain falsely and deceptively advertises the “committed to 100% ethical sourcing” claim on its coffee and tea products. There are significant human rights and labor abuses across Starbucks’ supply chain,” she said. Practices sourcing certification. Starbucks developed its own sourcing standards called Coffee And Farmer Equity Practices, or C.A.F.E in 2004. Greenberg said her group is seeking to restrict Starbucks from further engaging in deceptive advertising and to run a corrective advertising campaign.

Persons: “, ”, ” Sally Greenberg, Greenberg Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Consumers League, Starbucks, CNN, SCS Global Services, BBC Locations: New York, Washington, India, Brazilian, Brazil

☆ No shortage of Christmas trees this year, but don’t expect any red-tag deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As far as trees go, farms are promising there will be an adequate supply of trees this year. It typically takes eight to 10 years to grow a Christmas tree, depending on the variety and location, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, a trade group representing growers. “I haven’t heard of any community in America where people haven’t been able to get a Christmas tree and I don’t expect that will be the case this year,” said Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association. The Real Christmas Tree Board, an industry trade group, in September surveyed 49 wholesale growers of Christmas trees who collectively account for two-thirds of the nation’s tree supply about their outlook for the holiday season. “The starting wholesale price is gonna be much more controlled this year than what we had to experience last year.

Persons: Fraser, haven’t, ”, Tim O’Connor, O’Conner, it’s, Marsha Gray, ” Gray, “, ” Lauren Segedin, “ We’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Association, Tree Association, Board Locations: New York, America, Glenville , North Carolina, Fraser Fir

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