Kroger Will Merge With Albertsons, , Forming Mega-Grocery Chain.
Kroger Will Merge With Albertsons, , Forming Mega-Grocery Chain.
The deal between the two grocery store chains was announced on Oct.
14.
The $24.6 billion deal will lead to one of the most expansive chains of grocery stores in the U.S. .
The $24.6 billion deal will lead to one of the most expansive chains of grocery stores in the U.S. .
The new company will be comprised of nearly 5,000 stores across the country.
The combination creates a premier seamless ecosystem across 48 states and the District of Columbia, , Kroger Statement, via CNN.
... providing customers with a best-in-class shopping experience across both stores and digital channels, Kroger Statement, via CNN.
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen stated that the merger is an excellent move for the company.
While Kroger and Albertsons have been considered competitors, .
The companies operate independently
in many parts of the country.
[Albertsons] brings a complementary footprint and operates in several parts of the country with very few or no Kroger stores, Rodney McMullen, Kroger CEO, via CNN.
The merger could give the companies more of a competitive edge when it comes to other mega-chains,
including Walmart, Amazon and Costco.
Other lower-price chains such as Trader Joe's and Aldi have also become significant competition.
Other lower-price chains such as Trader Joe's and Aldi have also become significant competition.
The merger announcement comes as
food prices continue to rise.
After the announcement, shares of Albertsons rose by
11 percent, while shares of Kroger dipped slightly.
Trader Joeās Recalls Basil , After Reports of Salmonella Infections.
On April 17, the grocery chain
recalled Infinite Herbs organic basil.
The basil has been "linked to a dozen Salmonella infections in seven states," CNN reports. .
One person has been hospitalized.
The 2.5-ounce packages were sold in 29 states and Washington, D.C., from Feb. 1 through April 6. .
The CDC is advising consumers to dispose of any Infinite Herbs organic basil that was bought from Trader Joe's.
The agency also says to clean anything that the contaminated basil may have come in contact with. .
Investigators are trying to determine if any other products have been contaminated, CNN reports. .
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, the CDC says. .
Symptoms can develop anywhere between
6 hours and 6 days after consuming the bacteria.
Most people don't need treatment
and recover within 4 to 7 days. .
If your symptoms are severe, or if you experience diarrhea and dehydration for more than three days, the CDC recommends contacting your health care provider
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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Homicide and Other Violent Crimes , Declining in Cities Across the US.
'The Guardian' reports that a recent crime analysis found that homicides in major cities across the United States are falling at , āone of the fastest rates of decline ever recorded.".
Thereās just a ton of places that
you can point to that are showing
widespread, very positive trends, Jeff Asher, AH Datalytics, via 'The Wall Street Journal'.
According to AH Datalytics' sample of nearly
200 cities, murder was down by 20.8% in 2024,
when compared to the same time in 2023.
Some cities, including Washington DC,
New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Milwaukee,
saw murder rates decline by over 30%.
Some cities, including Washington DC,
New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Milwaukee,
saw murder rates decline by over 30%.
The analysis is based on the FBI's Uniform Crime
Reporting program, which consists of data collected
by local law enforcement agencies across the nation.
While the FBI's 2023 report will not be audited or made
official until October, preliminary figures suggest
that murder rates significantly dropped in 2023. .
The latest data suggests that this
year's declines will continue at an even
faster clip, nearing pre-pandemic levels. .
'The Guardian' reports that the latest
data mirrors another drastic decline
in homicides during the 1990s.
Nationally, youāre seeing
a very similar situation to what
you saw in the mid-to-late 90s.
But itās potentially even larger
in terms of the percentages
and numbers of the drops, Jeff Asher, AH Datalytics, via 'The Wall Street Journal'.
The AH Datalytics data also found that nearly
all other violent crimes saw significant
declines in 2023 compared to 2022. .
The quarterly data in particular
suggests 2023 featured one of the
lowest rates of violent crime in the
United States in more than 50 years, Jeff Asher, AH Datalytics, via 'The Wall Street Journal'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The heads of state from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States have jointly expressed "grave concern" regarding China's conduct in the contested South China Sea. Over recent years, Beijing has intensified its presence in this crucial maritime region, leading to heightened tensions, notably with the Philippines. This nation, among others in Southeast Asia, asserts territorial claims over portions of the sea adjacent to its shores. In response to a recent altercation near Second Thomas Shoal that resulted in injuries to Filipino soldiers and damage to vessels, President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines declared Manila's intention to enact countermeasures against China. The leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States expressed shared concerns over the People's Republic of China's (PRC) provocative actions in the South China Sea during the inaugural summit held in Washington, DC. This joint statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region.
#SouthChinaSea #China #Japan #Philippines #US #Tensions #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #SecurityConcerns #GeoPolitics
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.102~
Aldi to Add , 800 New Stores in US.
The grocery giant wants to add 800 new stores in America by 2028, NBC News reports. .
Aldi plans to build or expand many
locations in the Northeast, Midwest,
western U.S. and Southern California.
Las Vegas will also get its first Aldi store. .
In the Southeast, Aldi plans to convert some Winn-Dixies and Harveys into its stores.
However, since acquiring
parent company Southeastern Grocers,
"a meaningful" amount of Winn-Dixies and Harveys will keep their current branding. .
Aldi expects 50 stores to start the conversion process toward the end of 2024.
Our growth is fueled by our customers, and they are asking for more Aldi stores in their neighborhoods nationwide, Jason Hart, Aldi CEO, via statement.
With this commitment to add
800 stores in the next five years,
weāll be where our shoppers need
us while positively impacting
the communities we serve, Jason Hart, Aldi CEO, via statement.
Aldi is currently "the fastest-growing grocery retailer" in America, NBC News reports.
Aldi is currently "the fastest-growing grocery retailer" in America, NBC News reports.
Retailers everywhere should be
examining their private brand,
pricing, assortment, digital, and
real estate strategies in response
to Aldiās move, to build protective
moats for an uncertain future. , Via a report on Aldi from last summer said,
according to GroceryDive.com.
Retailers everywhere should be
examining their private brand,
pricing, assortment, digital, and
real estate strategies in response
to Aldiās move, to build protective
moats for an uncertain future. , Via a report on Aldi from last summer said,
according to GroceryDive.com
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, āincluding non-participating
bystanders during last weekās protests.ā.
Googleās aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, āevery single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.ā
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Travis Kelce just landed his first TV job. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is set to host a spin-off of the Fox game show 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?' for Amazon's Prime Video. The new show hosted by Kelce is titled 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?' It will see adult contestants answer elementary curriculum questions with the help of a classroom full of famous faces.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:24Published
It looks like there's a new 'Legally Blonde' TV show in the worksā¦what like it's hard? Reese Witherspoon and her Hello Sunshine banner is teaming up with Amazon to develop a 'Legally Blonde' TV series. 'Gossip Girl' and 'The O.C.' grads Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage are attached to write the TV offshoot.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:07Published
Amazon Is Getting Rid of , Just Walk Out Technology , at Its Fresh Grocery Stores.
The company's Just Walk Out
technology allows customers to
avoid standing in checkout lines.
It works by sending receipts to customers after they've left the store with their items.
While customers have said they enjoy the process, .
they wish they could view their receipts and savings while they are shopping, according
to Amazon spokesperson Carly Golden.
As a result, Amazon is revamping its
grocery chain to better serve customers.
The Just Walk Out technology will
be replaced by smart carts that provide spending data in real time, NPR reports. .
Most Fresh grocery stores are located in
Washington State, California, Illinois and Virginia. .
The retailer also operates Amazon Go
stores in addition to owning Whole Foods.
The retailer also operates Amazon Go
stores in addition to owning Whole Foods.
Amazon Go stores and smaller Fresh
stores in the U.K. will continue to use
Just Walk Out technology, NPR reports.
Last year, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that the company is still trying to figure out how to have
a greater impact on physical grocery stores.
This revamp, and "selectively" launching new Fresh locations, is part of that process, Golden said
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Walmart Reverses Course, , Closes Down Its , Walmart Health Division.
NBC reports that Walmart has announced
it will close all 52 of the doctor-staffed
health clinics the company operates.
The announcement comes as
part of the company's decision to
shut down its Walmart Health Initiative.
Clinics that will close down are located in
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. .
On April 30, the company also said it would
begin winding down its virtual care service.
The decision to end the Walmart Health Initiative
will not reportedly impact Walmart
pharmacies and vision centers.
Walmart said that it will work to direct current patients
to other providers covered by their insurance
networks to ensure they continue to receive care.
NBC reports that the news comes as a swift
reversal of Walmart's plan to expand its number
of doctor-staffed clinics to 70 by the end of 2024.
Through our experience managing
Walmart Health centers and
Walmart Health Virtual Care,
we determined there is
not a sustainable business
model for us to continue, Walmart statement, via NBC.
Other nontraditional health care
providers have also been forced to
reconsider their plans in recent years. .
Last month, Walgreens announced that it would
close 140 of the company's primary care clinics,
along with plans to shut down 20 more.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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