U.S. Return-to-Office Rates Hit Pandemic High as More Employers Get Tougher
Peter Grant, The Wall Street Journal
Workers are returning to U.S. offices at the highest rate since the pandemic forced most workplaces to temporarily close in 2020, as infection rates continue to fall and more companies intensify efforts to bring employees back.
Wegmans ends self-checkout app after too much shoplifting
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN
In 2019, Wegmans, the cult-favorite northeastern grocery chain, rolled out a new mobile app that allowed customers to scan, bag and pay for groceries while they shopped and then skip the checkout line altogether.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Plots Priorities in His Final Six Months in the Role
Heather Haddon, The Wall Street Journal
Howard Schultz has a bucket list for his remaining six months as chief executive of Starbucks Corp. before exiting for the third and—he has pledged—last time.
Chevrolet EV campaign uses Fleetwood Mac, influencers
E.J. Schultz, Ad Age
Chevrolet is calling on Fleetwood Mac, Conan O’Brien, a bevy of influencers and a big media buy in NFL games to draw consumers to its growing fleet of electric vehicles.
Kanye West Isn’t Alone as Big Stars Seek More Say in the Brands They Back
Megan Graham, The Wall Street Journal
Kanye West’s breakup with Gap Inc. reflects a broader trend of celebrities seeking more control over the brands they create or back.
Another Culture War Front: Are Companies Too ‘Woke’ When It Comes to Climate?
David Gelles, The New York Times
Conservatives in the U.S. have targeted firms for their environmental policies, but many companies are standing their ground.
‘Gaming is very much here to stay’: Why Axe body spray is taking a bigger swing at esports marketing
Kimeko McCoy, Digiday
Axe body spray is dedicating more ad dollars to esports, gaming and entertainment-based marketing channels to attract a bigger share of Gen Z shoppers.
Delta Looks to Improve Margins, Cut Debt as Travel Rebounds
Nina Trentmann, The Wall Street Journal
Dan Janki, the finance chief of Delta Air Lines Inc., had to navigate a host of pressures in his first year in the airline industry as travel demand remained below the levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Welcome to Your Airbnb, the Cleaning Fees Are $143 and You’ll Still Have to Wash the Linens
Preetika Rana, The Wall Street Journal
Christina Marie spent her last vacation day fretting over finishing her chores. Vacuum? Check. Laundry? Check. Dishes? Check.
FedEx warns of a global recession, cutting sales forecast by half a billion dollars
Chris Isidore, CNN
FedEx warned that a global recession could be coming, as demand for packages around the world tumbles.
Electric Vehicles Took Off. Car Makers Weren’t Ready
Mike Colias, The Wall Street Journal
More buyers are lining up for EVs, catching car companies flat-footed and triggering a race for more batteries, factories and materials.
The Man From Rivian Who Wants to Change How We Buy Cars
Sean McLain, The Wall Street Journal
Only automobile dealerships can sell you a car in many states. Electric-vehicle startup Rivian wants that to end, and it’s Jim Chen’s job to make that happen. It won’t be easy.
Publishers are struggling to keep commerce shops open, but creating brand identity in products holds promise
Kayleigh Barber, Digiday
Online commerce shops aren’t turning out to be the golden ticket to revenue diversification that some publishers were expecting.
PayPal threatens to pull Phoenix Suns sponsorship after owner’s racist slurs
Sara Germano, Financial Times
PayPal has threatened to scrap its sponsorship of the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns if the team’s owner remains in control of the franchise after he was suspended for using racist and misogynistic language.
Unilever violating merger deal over Israel sale – Ben & Jerry’s founders on MSNBC
Reuters
The founders of ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s said on MSNBC on Sunday that parent Unilever PLC is in violation of the 2000 merger deal over its sale of Ben & Jerry’s business in Israel to a local licensee who could sell their products in the West Bank.
Dr. Scholl’s shows ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan embracing his foot fetish in new campaign
Jack Neff, Ad Age
Dr. Scholl’s has enlisted former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan—one of America’s most famous, or perhaps notorious, foot fanciers—to back the launch of a new line of athlete’s foot treatments.
Nissan recalls more than 200,000 pickup trucks due to rollaway risk
Ramishah Maruf, CNN
Nissan is recalling more than 200,000 pickup trucks due to a risk that the vehicles could roll away while in park.
