1 Empire Group

McDonald's is getting rid of free drink refills — and more fast-food chains may follow.

McDonald’s is getting rid of free drink refills — and more fast-food chains may follow Empty cups and empty hearts. McDonald’s customers are bidding a bitter farewell to free drink refills, one of the latest casualties from the brand already facing an identity crisis over extre…

Williams-Sonoma claimed its products were made in the United States even though they were made in China. The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced in a press release on Friday that the high-end kitchen store agreed to a $3,175,387 settlement.

Williams Sonoma labeled Chinese-made merchandise American made; ordered to pay over $3M The FTC and the Justice Department said Friday that Williams-Sonoma Inc. has agreed to a settlement, which includes a $3.175 million civil penalty.

Best Buy closes 24 stores this year, another 10-15 by next year, company says The company announced in a recent earnings call that it is shutting down 24 stores in the current fiscal year and it intends to close another 10-15 in the 2025 fiscal year.

FAA audit of Boeing’s 737 production found mechanics using hotel card and dish soap as makeshift tools: report.

FAA audit of Boeing’s 737 production found mechanics using hotel card and dish soap as makeshift tools: report The FAA discovered “unacceptable” quality control issues during an audit into Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems that was launched after a door plug flew off a 737 Max 9 mid-air at …

I remember working at Dean Witter (owned by Sears at the time) when Discover Card signed its one-millionth merchant in 1989.

Capital One buying Discover Financial Services in a $35.3 billion deal Capital One announced it's acquiring Discover Financial Services for $35.3 billion in an all-stock deal, giving the bank a leg up in the competitive credit card market.

Department store chain Macy’s is cutting 2,350 jobs and closing five stores, as it aims to streamline its operations.

Macy’s slashing over 2K jobs, closing five stores amid pressure to go private The job cuts come as an investor group consisting of Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital put pressure to take Macy’s private in a $5.8 billion offer.

8..7 million Americans hold multiple jobs to survive.

Initial US employment reports overstated by 439,000 jobs in 2023 Increased government spending and hiring have padded 2023 year-end unemployment numbers by over 400,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Meta and Alphabet have 60% of the top 10 most downloaded apps of 2023.

6 unique spaces where WeWork wants out

Etsy CEO Josh Silverman noted in a letter to employees that Etsy’s marketplace has more than doubled in size since 2019 but said today’s macroenvironment and competitive realities call for sweeping changes.

Etsy stock falls 7% after laying off 11% of its staff, citing 'very challenging' environment Etsy is laying off 11% of its workforce and restructuring its business amid a "very challenging" macro and competitive environment.

Employees are being threatened with 'knives, guns, and other physical attacks,' according to Home Depot exec Scott Glenn.

Home Depot exec calls on Congress to pass bipartisan organized retail crime bill Home Depot executive Scott Glenn wants Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, a bill that would help the industry tackle the growing problem.

Breaking news: ’s sovereign credit rating has been changed to negative by rating agency Moody’s Investors Service. It cited growing risks of persistently lower midterm economic growth and the overhang from a crisis in the property sector

Moody’s cuts China’s credit outlook to negative Rating agency cites increasing risks to growth and a property sector crisis

Americans have accumulated a record-breaking $1 trillion in credit card debt. The debt threshold comes as the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes have caused average interest rates for credit cards to spike to more than 22%. Rates on retail credit cards are even higher, nearing 29% on average.

How America racked up a $1 trillion credit card bill Americans have accumulated a record-breaking $1 trillion in credit card debt.

With more opportunities to tip and predetermined point-of-sale options for each transaction, gratuity has become less about rewarding good service.

Tipping once rewarded good service. Now it determines how consumers are treated

TransUnion job cuts are part of multiyear plan to optimize company’s operating model.

TransUnion to cut 1,300 jobs as part of multiyear plan to reduce costs, drive growth The company expects to deliver $120 to $140 million of annualized operating expense savings and a $70 to $80 million capital expenditure reduction in 2026 relative to 2023 levels.

US pharmacy chain Rite Aid Corp. filed for bankruptcy in an effort to close unprofitable stores, address lawsuits over its role in the opioid pandemic and rework a debt load of roughly $4 billion.

Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy as Debt Load, Opioid Risk Rise (Bloomberg) -- US pharmacy chain Rite Aid Corp. filed for bankruptcy in an effort to close unprofitable stores, address lawsuits over its role in the opioid pandemic and rework a debt load of roughly $4 billion. Most Read from BloombergIsrael Latest: Army Says Hamas Officials Dead; Over 600,000 in G...

Working-class Americans are hurting.

BREAKING: 4,000 UAW members at Mack Trucks have voted to REJECT a tentative agreement and will STRIKE at 7 a.m. on Monday.

"In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." — Benjamin Franklin. Over 200 years later, Benjamin Franklin's quote still rings true. It's well past time that we implement a free direct file system, saving families across the country time and money while keeping their private financial information safe and secure.

Tax-Prep Firms Overcharge Consumers, Then Spill Their Data For decades, private tax-preparation companies have stepped in to offer assistance with filing annual taxes, but they have done so overcharging and helping themselves to private, sensitive taxpayer data.

UPS' DeliveryDefense uses AI to analyze historical delivery data and address data to combat 'porch pirates.'

UPS using AI to prevent 'porch pirates' from stealing packages UPS is leveraging artificial intelligence to prevent "porch pirates" from stealing consumers' packages after they are delivered and recommend the best options for successful deliveries.

Be in the ‘NO’ to Fraud

Do You Know the 3 Common Types of Elder Fraud? For most people, exploiting the elderly is unthinkable. But for fraudsters, it’s big business.

Chelsea office building downgraded after top tenant X refuses to pay rent Landlord Columbia Property Trust defaulted on $1.7 billion in loans this year.

Walmart to 'ROLLBACK' theft. A Walmart in Atlanta that was shuttered after it was set on fire by suspected arsonists is installing a police “workspace” inside the store — the latest dire measure aimed at curtailing the shoplifting epidemic that has hit big box chains, groceries, pharmacies, and other retailers.

Walmart to open police ‘workspace’ inside Atlanta store as shoplifting epidemic rages “You’re thinking about going into this Walmart to do some shoplifting — you see the APD logo and you say, ‘Ah, not today’,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.

China has reportedly directed employees at central government agencies not to use Apple iPhones or other foreign-branded technologies at work.

China bans iPhone use for gov't employees to curb reliance on American-owned Apple, foreign tech: report Beijing is reportedly instructing central government agency staffers not to use iPhones at work as part of a push to curb reliance on foreign technology.

Google will let you know when the lowest prices for the trips are, compared with the average, and the cheapest dates to book between. Google recently updated Google Flights with more information that can help you save money.

Google now tells you the cheapest dates to book a flight: Here's how Google recently updated Google Flights with more information that can help you save money by booking a trip during a certain time.

Fitch warns it may be forced to downgrade dozens of US banks, including JPMorgan.

Fitch warns multiple US banks face credit downgrade: report A Fitch Ratings analyst warned the agency may be forced to downgrade dozens of U.S. banks, including major lenders like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.