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Amazon has long viewed grocery as a key to unlock more consumer spending. Despite Amazon's large business from packaged food and other goods, it has yet to win significant market share in perishables, Jassy said. Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said Amazon has itself to blame, having drawn consumers to online shopping decades ago. "They are flushing money down a toilet pursuing Amazon Fresh stores" and thinking "they can brand a new concept and capture share from retailers who have been successful for decades." The company has a few dozen Amazon Fresh stores so far, Jassy said.

☆ One of the biggest problems for plant-based products — people don't know where to find them at the grocery store
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Where plant-based meat sits in a grocery store can affect sales. Sales of plant-based meat grew quickly during the early months of the pandemic. But that growth slowed down in 2022, leading some analysts to question the long-term potential of plant-based foods. Earlier this month, Bloomberg Businessweek published a cover story declaring plant-based meat was "just another fad." In response, Impossible took out a full-page ad in the New York Times that decried media coverage "hating on plant-based meat."

☆ Kroger workers say grocery chain is pocketing their paychecks in new lawsuit: 'This is wage theft, plain and simple'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Aidan Pollard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kroger workers claim the grocery giant garnished paychecks and failed to pay overtime. A union representing Kroger employees is seeking reports of wage theft. "These are workers who are not in a position to have their paychecks reduced," Rachel Nadas, an attorney representing the Kroger workers, told Insider Friday. "This is wage theft, plain and simple," Union President Mark Federici said in the release issued last week. Nadas said she and the team of attorneys handling the case hope to recover lost wages and receive damages for the Kroger workers affected.

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That surge in demand and limited supply contributed to higher prices. But diners will likely still pay higher menu prices than they were last year. Dutch Bros. Coffee CEO Joth Ricci told CNBC that most coffee businesses hedge their prices six to 12 months in advance. However, Zandi said, if the job market remains strong, inflation eases and wages grow, Americans can better manage higher prices for airfare and other items. Several hot pandemic items, including TVs, computers, sporting goods and major appliances have dropped in price, according to Labor Department data from December.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Meta, Qualcomm, Zoom, Apple, Costco, Wayfair & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are Monday's biggest Wall Street calls: MKM downgrades Zoom to neutral from buy MKM said it sees growth stalling for the video-conferencing company. Baird adds Tractor Supply as a fresh pick Baird named Tractor Supply as a fresh pick, noting it sees upside to estimates. Barclays downgrades Warner Music to equal weight from overweight Barclays said the music company's financial performance is too volatile. Jefferies naming Caterpillar a top pick Jefferies said it sees upside to estimates for shares of Caterpillar. Barclays downgrades Tapestry to equal weight from overweight Barclays said it's concerned about a "negative promotional inflection" for Tapestry .

☆ 12 ways to save on groceries during inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jamie Johnson | Jamie Johnson Is A Kansas City-Based Personal Finance Writer Whose Work Has Been Featured On Several Of The Top Finance | Business Sites In The Country | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

12 ways to save money on groceriesGroceries are an unavoidable purchase, but by shopping strategically, you can avoid paying full price at the store. You can also use loyalty programs to save money at your favorite stores. Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger all offer membership programs where you can earn free delivery for groceries, save money on gas, and learn about in-store promotions. Buying in bulkYou can save on groceries during inflation by buying household products in bulk at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club. Get organized and plan aheadOne of the best ways to avoid overspending is to go to the grocery store with a plan.

☆ Why the 4-day work week isn't the kind of perk most workers want: It's 'an upper-class issue'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jason Lalljee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Four-day work week trials across the world have been successful for both employers and workers. But when it comes to the four-day work week, that's "an upper-class issue," Gennip said. "They're happy to do a 15-hour stretch, but they want an eight-hour break"Recent studies show that four-day work trials have been big successes. "We have Amazon workers who do four-day work weeks, but ten hours days, and they would prefer five eight-hour days." "Some people would rather have a five-day work week and have six weeks off," she said.

☆ Here are the states where egg prices have doubled — and the lucky few where they've risen by just 50%, according to new data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Alex Bitter | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Egg prices in some states doubled in December, compared with the same month in 2021, according to data from Instacart. Even so, the highest prices for a dozen eggs were in other states, such as Hawaii and Florida. Egg prices increased the most in upper Midwestern states year-over-year in December, according to Instacart. In 2019, chickens on its farms produced just over 17 billion eggs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite the increases, states like Iowa still had some of the lowest egg prices in the US.

☆ Albertsons-Kroger Deal Spooks Merger Pros
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Jinjoo Lee | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Kroger last fall agreed to buy Albertsons, though the deal faces an antitrust review that is likely to focus on local store overlap. Betting on the outcome of a merger or acquisition is always tricky business. That is especially true of supermarket giant Kroger ‘s proposed purchase of rival Albertsons . In October, Kroger agreed to buy Albertsons for roughly $34.10 a share in cash, minus the planned $6.85 special dividend that Albertsons was expected to pay out. That means if everything goes according to plan, Albertsons shareholders can expect to be paid $27.25 a share by Kroger.

☆ Washington court paves way for Albertsons' $4 bln dividend, declines to review case
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Mike Scarcella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Washington Supreme Court made the decision after a lower court judge refused last month to issue a preliminary injunction against the dividend. The Washington attorney general's office in November sued to block the dividend, arguing that it would weaken Albertsons before Kroger's $25 billion purchase. The merger proposal will be reviewed by the Federal Trade Commission, which polices merger and acquisition activity for compliance with antitrust law. In a statement, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said his office was "surprised and disappointed the Supreme Court decided not to hear this case." Chief executives of the two grocers in November defended the $25 billion proposed tie-up at a hearing before a U.S. congressional committee.

☆ The company Walgreens uses to target shoppers with ads on digital cooler doors is expanding its screens to more in-store locations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cooler Screens, which provides in-store ad screens on cooler doors, has detailed expansion plans. Cooler Screens, the company that provides "smart" digital advertising screens on refrigerator doors in Kroger, Walgreens, and Circle K locations, said Tuesday that plans are underway to extend its network to more screens at different areas inside stores. Cooler Screens currently offers a digital merchandising platform that brightly displays the products that sit inside a retailer's cooler units and additional advertising space. A slide from a Cooler Screens ad sales pitch deck, showcasing its plans for additional in-store billboards. Cooler Screens has raised more than $100 million in funding from investors including Verizon Ventures, Microsoft's M12 venture fund, and GreatPoint Ventures.

☆ Here are Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Alphabet, Chipotle, Microsoft & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Morgan Stanley downgrades Chipotle to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it's concerned about "traffic headwinds." Morgan Stanley upgrades Domino's to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said Domino's is best positioned to handle a downturn. Morgan Stanley upgrades Church & Dwight to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it sees "fundamental inflection ahead." Morgan Stanley downgrades AutoNation to underweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it sees too many headwinds for shares of AutoNation right now. Morgan Stanley upgrades Kroger to equal weight from underweight Morgan Stanley said it sees more people eating at home.

☆ Walgreens removes purchase limits on children's fever medicines
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA.O) said on Monday it has removed online-only purchase limits for its over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products, as supply conditions improve. Pharmacy chains including CVS Health Corp (CVS.N) and Walgreens as well as U.S. grocer Kroger Co (KR.N) had last month limited purchases of children's pain and cold medicines at a time when the country was experiencing one of the worst flu seasons in a decade. Walgreens had put a limit of six over-the-counter pediatric fever reducer products per online transaction. Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Conagra CFO Doesn’t See Need for Big Price Increases in Near Term
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Photo: Conagra Brands“We won’t have any more significant price increases unless our cost, our inflation estimate, starts to go back up,” Mr. Marberger said. The reading comes amid moderating price increases after a peak of 9.1% in June. I never, ever remember that kind of a price increase,” Mr. Marberger said. “They are now turning the corner and from here are going to need less rapid price increases, unless some other price shocks occur.”Conagra’s sales volumes fell 8.4% for the quarter ended Nov. 27 as customers responded to the price increases, the company said. “And that plays well for us.”Overall, Conagra’s customers—which include retailers Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co. —have accepted the price increases, Mr. Marberger said.

☆ Plant-based brand Just Egg is running an ad declaring 'Plants don't get the flu' as chicken egg shortage continues
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Eat Just is running an full-page ad for its plant-based egg scramble in The New York Times. Avian flu has wiped out millions of chickens, causing egg shortages and higher prices on shelves. Just Egg's ad includes bottles of Just Egg plant-based eggs on a refrigerator rack and the phrase "Plants don't get the flu." The product featured in Just Egg's ad is the brand's 12-ounce bottle of plant-based egg scramble, which is derived from Mung beans. In addition to eggs, Eat Just is developing meat that can be grown in a lab instead of by raising animals.

☆ Our expectation is that inflation will be higher early in the year, says Kroger CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOur expectation is that inflation will be higher early in the year, says Kroger CEOKroger CEO Rodney McMullen joins 'Closing Bell' to discuss food inflation and how it's impacting customers' buying habits at the grocery store.

☆ M&A Is Expected to Pick Up in 2023 as Companies Adapt to Tougher Conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Kristin Broughton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

But many companies adapted, structuring deals to sidestep market volatility and minimize financing costs. Deal advisers expect M&A to pick up in 2023 following last year’s slump, though when that will happen remains an open question. That is especially true in the technology and healthcare sectors, where deals for high-growth companies are most common, she said. In addition to macroeconomic pressures, companies faced a tougher regulatory environment in 2022, with antitrust enforcers globally applying greater scrutiny to large transactions. Demand for such facilities in the U.S. jumped 17% in 2022 through Dec. 29 compared with the full-year 2021, to $317.3 billion, according to Dealogic.

☆ Cramer’s week ahead: Corporate earnings will set the tone for the market
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Wednesday: KB HomeQ4 2022 earnings release between 4:10 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. Friday: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, UnitedHealthWells FargoQ4 2022 earnings release at 7 a.m. Bank of AmericaQ4 2022 earnings release at 6:45 a.m. ETProjected EPS: 78 centsProjected revenue: $24.3 billionJPMorgan ChaseQ4 2022 earnings release at 6:45 a.m. BlackRockQ4 2022 earnings release at 6:15 a.m.

☆ Pharmacies can now sell the abortion pill, but you probably won't find it at top chains like CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens anytime soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Ben Tobin | Sarah Braner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FDA authorized retail pharmacies to become certified to carry mifepristone in a ruling Tuesday. Retailers may not sell the abortion pill due to administrative hurdles and backlash, experts say. But don't expect to be able to find the pill at your local Walmart or CVS any time soon. The FDA implemented the regulatory change Tuesday night to allow retail pharmacies to dispense mifepristone to people with a prescription. Insider contacted seven major retail pharmacies to ask whether they plan to sell mifepristone.

☆ Jim Cramer: My worldview for the first half of 2023 and the stocks that will win
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +27 min

Our stock market comes out of 2022 better than any other. The profitless companies today — like the dot-com stocks in 2000 — almost all disappointed and will continue to disappoint in 2023. I had thought these people would come back to work when they realized that savings from the stock market and Social Security aren't enough of a safety net. Money will be exiting the stock market all year into the safer and somewhat greener pastures. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ 2023 could end up a better year for markets, but it likely won't start off that way
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Patti Domm | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

As a very painful market year exits, Wall Street's strategists expect 2023 will end on a much better note —even if the path there continues to be highly volatile. I think the Fed will likely be overtightening the economy into this recession." So rates could rise before heading lower in the second half, and that environment will be better for stocks. Rieder said 2023 is going to a banner year for fixed income, and "not so much because it's going to be rates rallying so much," he said. "I think rates still have some upside," said Rieder.

☆ Stores and restaurants closed on New Year's Day 2023: Costco, Trader Joe's, Chick-fil-A, and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Ben Tobin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Costco, Aldi, Sam's Club, and Trader Joe's are among the stores closed on New Year's Day. Chick-fil-A will be closed, as New Year's Day is on a Sunday and the chain doesn't operate Sundays. Stores and restaurants open on the holiday include Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and McDonald's. And some stores, such as Costco, Trader Joe's, and Aldi, will be taking the first day of the new year off. Getty ImagesAcademy Sports + OutdoorsAlbertsonsBarnes & NobleBest BuyCVSDick's Sporting GoodsDollar TreeH-E-BHobby LobbyThe Home DepotIKEAKohl'sKrogerLowe'sMacy'sMichaelsOffice DepotPetcoPublixRite AidSproutsTargetUltaWalgreensWalmartWhole FoodsWhat restaurants are open on New Year's Day 2023?

☆ Novartis to pay $245 mln to end antitrust cases over Exforge drug generics
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Novartis AG (NOVN.S) said on Wednesday it will pay $245 million to end antitrust litigation accusing the Swiss drugmaker of trying to delay the launch in the United States of generic versions of its Exforge hypertension drug. The class-action litigation stemmed from a 2011 licensing agreement between Novartis and Endo International Plc's (ENDPQ.PK) Par Pharmaceutical unit. Novartis's annual U.S. sales of brand-name Exforge exceeded $400 million before generic versions were sold, court papers show. The case is In re Novartis and Par Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Bradley PerrettOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ From the digital ad crash to Elon Musk buying Twitter — these were the ad industry's 5 biggest shocks of 2022, and what it means for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Ryan Joe | Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The ad industry is crossing its fingers that Twitter is a safe place to advertise. 2022 was a volatile year for the advertising industry. DeGroote believes the 2023 ad market growth forecasts from major ad buyers like GroupM (5.9% growth), and Magna (5% growth to $822 billion) are too optimistic. Meta, has also seen its ad revenue decline, and has dumped $4 billion so far into building a so-called Metaverse, which hasn't driven any revenue yet. Elon Musk acquires TwitterMusk's acquisition of Twitter — and subsequent decimation of its employee ranks, including its revenue-driving advertising operations — shook the ad industry.

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