Economy

Economy
Economy

Kroger gives customers back rewards it took away

Kroger understands that its customers are hurting. “We know that fuel over $4 has an impact on consumer spend,” CEO Gregory Foran said during the chain’s second-quarter earnings call. The new CEO understands that while his company can’t be the cheapest, it can still offer value. “Our goal remains simple. We are building America’s favorite

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Economy

Iconic children’s retailer launches new strategy to win customers

As the parent of a toddler, Carter’s has been a familiar name in my household for years. From pajamas and bodysuits to the constant need for the next size up, the 161-year-old children’s apparel brand has long been a reliable stop for parents navigating the early years. But now Carter’s itself is growing up, or

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Economy

Popular buffet chain quietly shuts down restaurants after decades

For families who have relied on this all-you-can-eat buffet for an affordable meal amid rising food and restaurant prices, losing their local spot can mean more than finding another place to eat. For some families, replacing that familiar option could mean spending more on a meal elsewhere. This is happening in communities across the country

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Economy

Wells Fargo resets gold price target amid rate concern

Gold has had a strong run. Central banks kept buying. Retail investors came back. The metal held up through geopolitical flare-ups, inflation scares, and a lot of uncertainty about where the economy was headed. But the rate picture is shifting. The Federal Reserve kept raising rates into the fall, the dollar strengthened, and the argument

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Economy

Mexican chain closes all remaining locations after 22 years

Mexican restaurants have been a fixture of American dining for decades, with their popularity helping fuel the rise of many beloved brands. That makes restaurant closures particularly noticeable for local communities. Across the Mexican restaurant industry, several chains have closed locations in recent years, while others have exited markets or shut down entirely. Now, another

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Economy

Veteran restaurateur files Chapter 11 after string of closures

While Billy Streck might not have followed the traditional model of becoming famous as a television chef, then launching a restaurant empire, he’s a major player in the Atlanta dining scene and beyond. “I’m a 20 years veteran of the Atlanta and New York restaurant industries,” he told VoyageATL. In that 2022 article, Streck named

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Economy

T-Mobile raises another fee customers pay each month

T-Mobile is once again asking customers to cough up more money for a monthly fee that they can’t dodge. The carrier has continued to add charges and raise fees this year despite the risk of losing customers to growing competition. For instance, in March, it introduced a $35 Device Connection Charge for devices purchased directly

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Economy

McDonald’s has a plan to win back 150 million customers

McDonald’s has a loyalty problem. In 2021, the fast food chain launched its rewards program, giving frequent diners the opportunity to earn points, which could then be redeemed for free or discounted items. The program has grown steadily over the last five years, and now boasts some 220 million active global users.  But, the company

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Economy

Walmart tries to be more like Target and Target goes low

Walmart has never been the cool place to shop. You might buy clothes there because it’s cheap and practical, but it’s not a fashion destination. The chain, however, sits only behind Amazon — another retailer selling clothes based on price more than being fashionable — when it comes to clothing sales. Walmart ranks second only

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Economy

Costco confirms major food court change

For millions of Costco members, a trip to the warehouse doesn’t necessarily end when the shopping is done. It often ends at the food court. The food court has become an important part of Costco’s value proposition, pairing the retailer’s bulk merchandise with famously low-priced meals and treats.  The $1.50 hot dog-and-soda combo is perhaps

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