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☆ Facebook has a plan to win over Gen Z. Don't laugh.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In a 2023 Pew survey on teen internet use, only about one-third of US teens ages 13 to 17 said they used Facebook. Compare that with Pew's 2014 survey, when 71% of teens said they used Facebook. AdvertisementSecondly, Facebook is hoping to lure back young adults with offerings like Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Events. And I don't think Facebook Dating is a huge hit. I know it seems improbable that Facebook could become cool for Gen Z, but don't count it out — they just might pull this off.

Persons: Meta, —, Elon Musk's, I'm, Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg Organizations: Service, Facebook, Pew, Facebook —, Meta, Craigslist, mojo, TikTok

☆ China claims married couple working for government spied for UK’s MI6
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China on Monday accused Britain of recruiting a married couple employed by the Chinese central government to spy for its MI6 intelligence service, as the two countries trade allegations of espionage. Those charges in the United Kingdom came after China’s MSS said in January it had detained the head of a foreign consultancy who had allegedly spied for MI6. Under Xi Jinping, China’s most authoritarian leader in decades, the country’s notoriously secretive spy agency has drastically raised its public profile and broadened its remit. In its latest statement Monday, the MSS detailed its allegations against the married couple. According to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations.

Persons: Hong, Xi, Wang, “, –, Zhou, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of State Security, Conservative Party, China’s, ”, CNN, Britain’s Foreign, Secret Intelligence Service, CIA Locations: Hong Kong, China, British, United Kingdom, Britain

☆ Walgreens is cutting prices on 1,500 items, joining Target, Walmart and Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Walgreens is joining other retailers in cutting prices across the board, from snacks to toiletries and even Squishmallows, in an effort to lure back inflation-weary shoppers turned off by high prices. Prices are dropping immediately on more than 1,500 items online and at its stores, which include both name and store brands, Walgreens announced Wednesday. In the past few weeks, competitors including Target, Walmart and Amazon slashed prices on thousands of household goods to rev up consumer spending. “Walgreens understands our customers are under financial strain and struggle to purchase everyday essentials,” said Tracey D. Brown, Walgreens’ retail president and chief customer officer, in a release. Meanwhile, a host of other retailers report earnings Thursday, including Dollar General and Costco.

Persons: ”, Tracey D, Brown, “, we’ve, Alliance’s, isn’t, Sarah Wyeth, “ There’s, ” Wyeth, Parija Kavilanz Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Dollar, Costco, Shoppers Locations: New York

☆ Apple slashed iPhone prices in China. Sales are bouncing back
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A rebound in Apple’s iPhone sales in China is gaining momentum, after the company aggressively cut prices in its largest overseas market to lure back consumers actively hunting bargains in a weak economy. The increase is a major acceleration from the 12% growth logged in March by foreign-branded smartphones, according to previous data from CAICT. But iPhone sales started to bounce back in March after Apple and its retail partners slashed prices, according to CAICT data. The hefty reductions are “the only way” for Apple to defend its market share in China, Jefferies analysts said earlier this week. That will help Apple regain its lost market share but is also likely to put pressure on its competitors to cut prices further.

Persons: Apple, Jefferies, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, China Academy of Information, Communications Technology, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Global Times, Apple, Counterpoint Research, Huawei, Alibaba, Xiaomi Locations: China, Hong Kong

☆ U.S. workers are less satisfied with nearly every aspect of their jobs than they were a year ago, survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Alex Koller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Overall job satisfaction among U.S. employees increased a modest 0.4 percentage points in 2023 from the year prior, according to the Conference Board's annual Job Satisfaction survey released this month. He cited the group's results a year before, when job satisfaction was up overall and for every subcategory. 2023 marks the 13th consecutive year that U.S. job satisfaction climbed incrementally, according to the Conference Board's reporting. Overall job happiness could be a product of workers getting more raises, experiencing more job stability or receiving more benefits, he says. More than 65% of hybrid workers expressed overall job satisfaction, topping the 64% of fully remote and 60% of fully in-person workers who said the same, per the Conference Board's study.

Persons: Allen Schweyer, Schweyer, Julia Pollak, Pollak, you've, Claudia Goldin's Organizations: Conference, Conference Board

☆ Why Walmart, Walgreens, CVS retail health clinic experiment is struggling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Kevin Williams | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

But the business experience in the retail health clinic space has largely disappointed. Walmart and the problem of volume vs. priceIn 2019, Walmart announced a bold initiative to open 4,000 in-store health clinics by 2029. "Primary health care is a low margin business," said Arielle Trzcinski, a principal analyst covering health care at research firm. "Compared to what they see in traditional retail, health care is a fundamentally different business," Trzcinski said, citing the challenges of navigating insurance companies and administrative burdens that health care brings. In-store health clinics can be profitable and viable, and retailers are experimenting with piecemeal approaches tailored to the local market.

Persons: Bobbi Radford, Radford, haven't, CVS's MinuteClinic, Karla Lemon, CVS's, I've, That's, Timothy Hoff, Hoff, didn't, Colleen Sanders, Sanders, Arielle Trzcinski, Forrester, Trzcinski, America Sanders, Virgil Brantz, Brantz Organizations: CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Northeastern University, Insurance, Washington , D.C, Aetna, Retailers, Washington, Hartford HealthCare, Health Clinic, Arizona State University, Little Clinics, Kroger Locations: Batavia , Ohio, VillageMD, Southern California, New England, Conway , South Carolina, Washington ,, MinuteClinic, USA, America, Connecticut, Hartford, Phoenix, Atlanta, Little

☆ Shaking seats and piped-in fog: How 4DX is carving out a niche moviegoing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The fog parts, Chris Hemsworth as Dementus comes into focus and grins at the audience. This is the 4DX viewing experience. Moviegoers who have returned are seeking premium experiences — higher-quality picture and sound — and are willing to pay more for those tickets. 4DX is one option in the premium large format market alongside the likes of IMAX and Dolby Cinema. 4DX utilizes motion seats, practical effects and sensory elements to immerse viewers in a movie.

Persons: George Miller's, Max, Chris Hemsworth, Dementus, Duncan Macdonald, CJ, CJ 4DPlex, 4DX, Paul Dergarabedian, Wonka, Don Savant Organizations: CJ 4DPlex, Hollywood, Dolby, Comscore, Warner Bros

☆ All of the A-list celebrities seen at the Monaco Grand Prix, the swankiest race in motorsports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix after leading the entire race. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most glamorous event in Formula 1. AdvertisementFormula 1 is one of the ritziest sports in the world, and the Monaco Grand Prix is its swankiest event. While the race has struggled to keep up with the larger modern F1 cars, the Monaco Grand Prix is still the grand jewel of the racing series. Take a look at some of the A-list stars seen before and during the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.

Persons: Charles Leclerc, — Organizations: Monaco, Prix, Service

☆ 'Furiosa' flop and weak holiday box office put the heat on Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Chloe Melas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)Memorial Day weekend is usually a big one for moviegoers and Hollywood, but this year's numbers show otherwise. Now the heat is on for Hollywood to deliver the rest of summer movie season. 1 film at the Memorial Day box office since 1995's "Casper," leaving out 2020, when Covid shut down theaters and halted production. (Leaving out 2020 and 2021, this was also the worst overall Memorial Day weekend for Hollywood since 1995, as well.) Last year, Disney 's live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" opened to $118 million domestically over the holiday.

Persons: Max, Bauer, Griffin, Casper, Covid, Comscore, Paul Dergarabedian, Dergarabedian, Disney's, Guy, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Deadpool Organizations: HOLLYWOOD, Hollywood, Highland, AaronP, Warner Bros, Comscore, Disney, NBC, Paramount, Marvel, Guardians, Universal Locations: CA, Hollywood , California

☆ Burger prices are up. But your barbecue could be relatively cheap
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

But even with the increases, your home-grilled burger could end up being relatively inexpensive this year thanks to steep discounts offered by retailers vying for budget-conscious customers. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesCondiment prices saw a sharper jump with ketchup rising 8.9%, hot sauce increasing 7.6% and regular barbecue sauce spiking 14.6%. But the increases don’t take into account the year’s many Memorial Day deals. Supermarket chain Kroger also has Memorial Day specials, including reduced rates for home brand sliced cheese, hamburger buns and potato chips. Chicken breast prices, for example, fell 2.5% in the year through April, according to Circana, while wings have plunged 9.2%.

Persons: Burger, Justin Sullivan, ”, Chris DuBois, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Consumers, Kroger, Aldi Locations: New York, Circana

☆ Restaurant chains are competing to offer customers the cheapest meals they can. Here are some of the best deals.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Alexandra Bacon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Burger King and McDonald's are both set to launch their own $5 value meal deal. Chains are trying to lure diners back in, after high prices of fast food have turned many away. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe fast food wars are heating up, as Burger King is set to launch its own $5 value meal deal. It's not the only fast food chain to start offering lower-priced deals.

Persons: Burger, —, It's Organizations: Service, Bloomberg Locations: McDonald's

☆ Netflix shows about stalkers like ‘Baby Reindeer’ and ‘You’ are capturing audiences, but awareness of the crime is still low
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Sydney Bishop | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

In “Baby Reindeer,” Gadd’s stalker is portrayed as unattractive and mentally ill — someone whom her victim actually feels sorry for. “Baby Reindeer,” rated TV-MA by Netflix for “language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, substances,” only has a viewer discretionary warning before “Episode 4” wherein Gadd’s character is sexually assaulted. Information is also available on sexual assault, sexual violence and relationship abuse. Neither Netflix nor the “You” and “Baby Reindeer” teams responded to CNN’s requests for comment. Fleitman hopes “Baby Reindeer” can raise awareness for stalking victims, like men and so-called “imperfect victims” whose stories may not look like the ones we’re used to seeing.

Persons: Richard Gadd, Donny, Martha, Joe Goldberg, Dr, Lorraine Sheridan, don’t, ” Sheridan, “ I’ve, ” Gadd, “ I’m, Donny Dunn, Gadd, Edward, ” Emilio Estevez’s, Andie MacDowell’s, Penn Badgley, Joe, Goldberg, Sheridan, Stalkers, stalkers, we’ve, ”, Dana Fleitman, Anna Nasset, ” Nasset, “, aren’t, they’re, ” Fleitman, Fleitman, Edward Cullen, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Bella, “ we’re, —, Nasset, femicides, weren’t, Dana, Resouces, Alice Ruggles Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Netflix, Resource Center, Resources, SPARC, for Disease Control, US Department of Justice, National, HOPE VictimConnect, National Center for Locations: “ St, Elmo’s, California, Edinburgh, Scotland

☆ Publisher of Call of Duty, maker of AR-15 style rifle and Meta named in wrongful death lawsuits by families of Uvalde victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michelle Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Three companies are facing wrongful death lawsuits in the Uvalde school shooting of 2022, according to complaints filed in California and Texas. “The Defendants bear responsibility for this profound corruption of our children,” the suit filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles says. Just 23 minutes after midnight on his 18th birthday, the Uvalde shooter bought an AR-15 made by a company with a market share of less than one percent. Because, well before he was old enough to purchase it, he was targeted and cultivated online by Instagram, Activision and Daniel Defense. Millions of people around the world enjoy video games without turning to horrific acts.”CNN has reached out to Meta and Daniel Defense for comment.

Persons: ”, Daniel Defense –, Salvador Ramos, Ramos, Daniel Defense, Ramos “, Daniel Defense’s, “, —, Ramos ’, Sen, John Whitmire, Daniel, Josh Koskoff, CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz, Samantha Delouya Organizations: CNN, Robb Elementary, Meta, Activision, “, Robb Elementary School, Daniel, Court, Instagram, Daniel Defense, ” CNN Locations: California, Texas, Instagram, “, Houston, Los Angeles, Uvalde , Texas, Koskoff

☆ This DoubleLine bond fund is beating the market. Here's what it's buying
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A bond fund run by two of the top names at DoubleLine is outpacing the broader market by being defensive without fully committing to an imminent recession. The DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF (DBND) has a total return of 3.2% over the past year. That's more than the broadest bond funds, such as the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) , and the category indexes for the ETF as determined by FactSet and Morningstar. "Given where yield levels are, you're paid relatively well just to be in the higher credit quality," Sherman said.

Persons: Morningstar, Jeffrey Sherman, Jeffrey Gundlach, Sherman, Bonds, it's Organizations: Bond, Aggregate Bond, FactSet, SEC, CNBC, Federal Reserve Locations: DoubleLine, Treasurys

☆ Businesses push Biden to grant work permits to longtime undocumented immigrants
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

She knows there’s a bigger pool of experienced workers out there, but she can’t hire them because they are undocumented immigrants. The coalition argues Biden can do more through executive action under current law, including by expanding work permits to spouses of US citizens. All of Indiana dairy farmer Steve Obert's employees are authorized to work, but he is among the business leaders advocating for more work permits for longtime undocumented residents. Courtesy Steve ObertAll of Obert’s 15 non-family employees are foreign born and have work permits. But he knows that undocumented workers contribute a lot to the industry, as well as to the communities where they live.

Persons: Lisa Winton, Winton, Biden, ” Winton, ” Lisa Winton, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Trump, , ”, Karoline Leavitt, “, ” It’s, Steve Obert, Jessica Vaughan, Rebecca Shi, ‘, ’ ”, Shi, Vaughan, Tara Watson, Bush, Obama, Kerri Talbot, Trump’s, Steve, ” Obert Organizations: CNN, Winton Machine Company, American Business Immigration Coalition, Employers, Time, Trump, Pew Research Center, Labor, National Agricultural Workers Survey, Center, American, National Milk Producers Federation, Immigration Services, Center for Immigration Studies, Department of Homeland Security, Migration Policy Institute, Williams College, Immigration, Indiana Dairy Producers Locations: Suwanee , Georgia, Winton, Georgia, America, Indiana

☆ Here's where the last $6 billion in CHIPS Act semiconductor award money is going
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Megan Cassella | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The rollout of the Biden administration's CHIPS Act award money has so far focused on providing major awards for major companies, with just four leading-edge semiconductor manufacturers receiving the lion's share of the $33 billion that has been allocated to this point. Now, with $6 billion remaining, the focus is shifting to sending smaller awards to smaller companies—dozens of them, up and down the supply chain. "We are really focused on investing across the semiconductor ecosystem," Michael Schmidt, director of the CHIPS Program Office at the Commerce Department, told CNBC. Intel , Taiwan Semiconductor , Samsung and Micron combined will receive nearly $28 billion, while GlobalFoundries received $1.5 billion and four smaller companies – BAE Systems, Microchip , Polar Semiconductor and Absolics – received a combined $392 million. Another $3.5 billion has been set aside for the "secure enclave" program, which will produce semiconductors for military use.

Persons: Michael Schmidt, Schmidt, Gina Raimondo, GlobalFoundries, – Organizations: Biden, Commerce Department, CNBC, Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung, Micron, BAE Systems, Polar Semiconductor

☆ Pinduoduo: Americans are flocking to Temu and making its Chinese owner very rich
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Shanghai-based company reported Wednesday that net profit soared 246% to 28 billion yuan ($3.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, more than double the average analyst estimate of 12.62 billion yuan ($1.7 billion), according to LSEG data. Revenue jumped 131% to 86.81 billion yuan ($12 billion) in the period, also comfortably beating expectations. He is still the company’s biggest shareholder, with a stake of 25% stake, and ranks as China’s second richest man with a fortune of nearly $52 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Temu, PDD’s international app, was launched in 2022, and as of last November it had acquired nearly 17% of the US online discount store market, according to Earnest Analytics. Last month, South Korean regulators investigated Temu on suspicion of false advertising and unfair ppractices, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Persons: Nomura, PDD, Colin Huang, Pinduoduo, Alibaba’s Taobao, Morgan Stanley, ”, Lei Chen, Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — PDD Holdings, Revenue, Nasdaq, Bloomberg, Data Locations: Hong Kong, Shanghai, “, PDD’s, Alibaba, Hangzhou, Beijing, China, European

☆ China’s 618 shopping festival begins with biggest-ever Apple price cuts and a boycott
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Apple is offering unprecedented price cuts in China as big brands and retailers launch promotions for the annual “618” shopping festival in the face of sluggish consumer demand. The JD.com Inc. headquarters during a ceremony marking company's 20th anniversary and 618 shopping event in Beijing, China, on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The 618 shopping festival, a key barometer of consumption in the country, has seen growing competition by e-commerce sites and retailing brands to offer discounts. One statement, issued by 10 publishing houses in Beijing, said the boycott was a necessary move to “maintain the stability and prosperity” of the book publishing market. Even major state-owned publishing companies voiced opposition to “chaotic” price wars.

Persons: Apple, Alibaba —, Alibaba, Rihanna, iPads, ”, Jefferies Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Apple, Huawei, Vivo, JD.com, Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi, Shanghai Century Publishing Locations: Hong Kong, China, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Inflation is biting into Target’s ‘Tar-zhay’ luster
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Target has spent decades building a reputation for cheap chic home goods, clothing and other merchandise. It was the fourth-straight quarter of sales declines at Target (TGT). More than half of Target’s merchandise is discretionary. Target is trying to lure back shoppers by cutting prices on some key items and adding its own brands. The company also recently created a new house brand called Dealworthy to take on dollar stores and Walmart.

Persons: Target, pare Organizations: New, New York CNN — Target, Walmart, Costco, Target Locations: New York

☆ Target is cutting prices on up to 5,000 items to lure back inflation-wary shoppers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Target has slashed prices on more than 1,500 popular items beginning immediately, ranging from butter to laundry detergent, as the retailer attempts to attract inflation-wary shoppers turned off by high prices. Prices have dropped effective Monday, with “thousands more price cuts” — amounting to 5,000 items — being reduced over the summer, the retailer announced. Retail sales growth has taken a hit because of high prices: Last month, retail sales were unchanged from March, when spending increased by a downwardly revised 0.6%, the Commerce Department recently reported. By comparison, a year ago, retail sales surged by 3%. In response, Target recently created a new house brand called Dealworthy to take on dollar stores and Walmart.

Persons: Sarah Wyeth Organizations: New, New York CNN — Target, Ikea, Aldi, Shoppers, CNN, Commerce Department, Target, Walmart Locations: New York

"Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's conference call in late April. Paul Weaver | SOPA Images | Getty ImagesFor more than two years, consumers have dealt with sharply rising prices. But that doesn't mean the actual prices seen on grocery store shelves or restaurant menus will fall, and shoppers are feeling that pinch. While some CEOs have said that consumers are growing more cautious, others — like those in the airline industry — have celebrated strong and persistent spending. Corporate misfires can also lead to disappointing sales, even if their shoppers aren't necessarily pulling back on their spending.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, Burger, Paul Weaver, Jerome Powell, Aurelia Concepcion, Concepcion, it's, Joe Raedle, Brett House, John David Rainey, Ramon Laguarta, Ed Bastian, We're, Daniel Slim, Brian Niccol, Calvin McDonald, Laxman Narasimhan, Sara Senatore, Spencer Platt Organizations: DAL, Washington Post, Home, Delta Air Lines, Consumers, of Labor, CPI, KFC, Starbucks, Columbia Business School, Walmart, Finance, CNBC, PepsiCo, Gatorade, Pepsi, United, Delta Airlines Boeing, Owen Roberts International, AFP, Getty, Delta, Target, Bank of America Locations: Manhattan, Bloomsburg , Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Ohio, Miami , Florida, U.S, Delta, Europe, Asia, Japan, George Town, Cayman Islands, New York City

☆ Elon Musk launches Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Denpasar, Indonesia Reuters —Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX’s satellite internet service for the nation’s health sector on Sunday, aiming to improve access in remote parts of the sprawling archipelago. Musk, wearing a green batik shirt, said the availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would help millions in far-flung parts of the country to access the internet. Asked about whether he planned to also invest in Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry, Musk said he was focused on Starlink first. Prior to Sunday’s launch, Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, Budi Setiadi told Reuters. SpaceX’s Starlink, which owns around 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting earth, is dominant in the satellite internet sphere.

Persons: Indonesia Reuters — Elon Musk, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Musk, ” Starlink, “, ”, Joko Widodo, Budi Arie Setiadi, Starlink, Budi Setiadi, SpaceX’s Organizations: Indonesia Reuters, Indonesian Health, SpaceX, Tesla, Indonesian, . Communications, Reuters Locations: Denpasar, Indonesia, Bali, Aru, Maluku, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Philippine, Ukraine

☆ Airbnb hosts are bracing for an unpredictable summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewLast summer ushered in a new normal for hosts on Airbnb and other short-term rental booking websites. Ahead of summer 2024, hosts face pressure to stand out from all the other listings in their areas. Adding additional stress is the increased unpredictability of travelers themselves — hosts say guests are booking trips more last-minute than the advance-planning of years past. With direct bookings, hosts are responsible for collecting the proper paperwork for background checks and payment information, and they don't have the additional insurance offered by the major platforms. Influencers can also help promote direct booking, Burke said.

Persons: —, Vrbo, they're, Emily Burke, Rick Kenworthy, he's, Kenworthy, Ryan Villines, Villines, Burke, she'll, she's, they've, who've, Influencers, Tulsans Organizations: Service, Business, Airbnb Locations: Tulsa , Oklahoma, Arizona, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Airbnb, Missouri, Tulsa

☆ A rural Kansas county wants remote workers to move there. It's giving new residents $4,500 cash, an internet stipend, and fresh eggs.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewLincoln County, Kansas is recruiting new residents. But local community leaders are hoping to attract remote workers and grow the local economy by offering new residents $4,500 cash, a $500 credit toward high-speed internet, a gym membership, and a monthly basket of farm-fresh eggs. These programs were launched in West Lafayette, Indiana; Ellsworth County, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and more. To qualify, remote workers must be employed full-time, make at least $50,000 annually, and reside outside Kansas before moving. The program is marketed and monitored by Make My Move, an Indianapolis-based company that helps communities connect with remote workers through cash and perks.

Persons: —, Lincoln, Kelly Gourley, who'll, Gourley Organizations: Service, Business, Lincoln, Innovation Center, Innovation, Northwest Kansas Business, Economic Development Foundation, Kansas counties Locations: Lincoln County , Kansas, Wichita, West Lafayette , Indiana, Ellsworth County , Kansas, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Kansas, Indianapolis, Northwest Kansas, Northwest, Lincoln, Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis , Tennessee

☆ The lunch rush is dead as Americans live for the weekend
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( J.J. Mccorvey | Haley Messenger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

These signs point to a new normal for Americans' post-pandemic leisure spending, which has stayed resilient despite the higher costs of going out. In 2023, 1.88% of the food and drink transactions Square processed took place between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturdays, up from 1.60% in 2019. Nowhere was the shift toward evening and weekend spending starker than in Boston, one of 23 major cities Square analyzed. There, a 10.1% decline in weekday lunch transactions was more than offset by 10.3% and 1.6% increases in weekend and happy hour transactions, respectively. "I don't really prioritize drinking during the weekdays," Louie said, and his weekend leisure spending "is quite inconsistent."

Persons: That's, Ara Kharazian, Brunch, Kharazian, Sara Senatore, AJ Kurban, Kurban, it's, Soojin Lee, Cornell University's Nolan, Young, They're, Senatore, I'm, Nicholas Louie, Louie Organizations: University of Toronto, ARA, Bank of America, Cornell University's, Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Covid Locations: U.S, workdays, Boston, Brooklyn, Manhattan, York

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