The man who went on a phone-smashing spree at a mall near Dijon, France, reportedly because the company wouldn’t replace his defective iPhone, has received a six-month suspended prison sentence. He must stay away from the mall and pay Apple back for his destruction spree. [More]
Retail Services
Chipotle Cutting Off All Investments Into Asian-Inspired ShopHouse Brand
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
In the midst of trying to convince customers to come back and eat at Chipotle a year after its national food safety crisis first started, it seems the chain doesn’t have the resources to cultivate other efforts, like its Asian-inspired ShopHouse chain. [More]
Google Maps Now Lets Users Order Food Delivery
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Last month, Google announced that it would provide users with the ability to hail a ride from services like Uber and Lyft when searching for direction inside Maps. Now, the company is taking that idea and expanding it to food delivery: adding the option for users to order food when searching for restaurants on the Maps app. [More]
Arby’s Will Offer Venison Sandwiches This Fall In 6 Deer-Hunting States
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
In its continuing quest to convince hungry consumers that it is the meat destination, Arby’s is adding a new protein to the menu in certain locations this fall: customers will be able to order venison meat sandwiches at participating restaurants in six states where deer hunting is popular. [More]
New Wells Fargo CEO Begins Mea Culpa Parade With Employees
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Dozens of former and current Wells Fargo employees have shared their nightmarish experiences — health issues, threats of termination — involving the bank’s fake account fiasco. So aside from affected customers — who may or may not be leaving the bank — it makes sense that the new CEO of the company would apologize to workers. [More]
Apple Reportedly, Maybe, Possibly Thinking About Bringing iMessage To Android Devices
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
If there’s one feeling that many iOS users share, it’s the anticipatory rush you get when you see those three blinking dots in the iMessage app that means someone is typing (unless they just stop and destroy you entirely). Android users may someday share that distinct emotion, according to renewed buzz. [More]
Sears Tries Giving Away Rewards Points With Branded Credit Card
By 10.26.16
Sears Holdings, parent company of Kmart and Sears, is depending on the company’s Shop Your Way rewards program to save the company. It is a very nice rewards program, but is it enough to get customers to spend? Don’t most store cards come with special rewards or discounts? [More]
EpiPen Competitor Auvi-Q Relaunching Next Year
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Almost exactly a year after pharmaceutical maker Sanofi recalled nearly 500,000 epinephrine injectors after finding they might not provide the correct dosage to patients, the product is gearing up for a comeback, potentially creating a less expensive competitor to the highly scrutinized EpiPen. [More]
Everyone Gets A Free Taco From Taco Bell On Nov. 2
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Whether you were weeping with joy or sadness after the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the World Series last night, know this: there is a free taco waiting for you a week from now, if you choose to accept it. [More]
Target Confirms Holiday Plans: Gift Guides, Free Shipping, Rotating Promotions
By 10.25.16
Yes, we’re going to have to accept that the holiday shopping season has begun. Today, Target announced its holiday promotional plans, which include discounts that rotate through departments, free shipping for online orders, and app-based toy coupons. [More]
You Can Now Check In Online For A Table At Olive Garden
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Many restaurants already allow patrons to call ahead for seating as a way to avoid long waits when they walk through the door. While Olive Garden has never adhered to this option, the restaurant is now taking that idea and making it its own: allowing guests to check in on the web to save tables. [More]
Google Express Bringing Delivery Service To 13 More States
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Google is continuing its quest to take on same-day delivery services around the country: Google Express is now rolling out in 14 additional cities, including in Amazon’s home state of Washington. [More]
Bong Maker Must Pay Starbucks Nearly $500K Over Copyright Violations For “Dabuccino”
By 10.25.16
Coffee and bongs: While you might not expect the two things to be related, they are. Or at least, they were in a recent copyright lawsuit that saw coffee giant Starbucks sue the maker of frappuccino-shaped bongs. [More]
Philly Fast-Food Workers Fired After Gross Confessions On Facebook Live
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
After a Facebook Live video posted over the weekend showed workers at a Philadelphia Checkers restaurant smoking cigarettes in the kitchen and talking about having sex with customers went viral, the company says those employees will lose their jobs. [More]
Walmart Pulls “Suicide Scar” Halloween Costume Makeup Kit
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Already this fall, several retailers have pulled Halloween decorations and costumes from their shelves and online stores because they were too dangerous, too creepy, or could be used to further a rash of suspicious incidents involving people dressed as clowns. Now, Walmart is joining those ranks: the retailer is removing what it calls an inappropriate “suicide scar” costume makeup kit. [More]
Lyft Testing Paid Memberships That Offer Discounted Line Rides
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Right now, anyone can hail a ride on Lyft or Uber, as long as they have the app installed on their phone — there are no monthly fees, just what you pay for each ride. But there could be good business in paid memberships, which is something Lyft says it’s going to test out for the month of November. [More]
My Bank Overdrafted My Account By Putting Two Holds On One Deposit; Doesn’t Care
By 10.25.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Imagine that you do everything you can to avoid overdrafting your bank account, only to find that your bank has gone ahead and pushed you into the red — and that it doesn’t really care. [More]
Best Buy Will Bring Back Free Shipping On All Online Purchases
By 10.24.16
When does the “holiday season” begin? Apparently, for Best Buy, it still begins in late October. The Minnesota-based electronics retailer is re-introducing free shipping for the holiday shopping season, from now through Dec. 24. We’re in the holiday shopping season? Does Best Buy sell Halloween costumes now? [More]
