Kroger is playing catch-up with Walmart and Target when it comes to e-commerce, and has joined with Instacart and invested in UK online grocer Ocado to stay competitive. Kroger has committed to investing about $4 billion in digital initiatives and teamed with an autonomous vehicle startup to test driverless delivery.
An investigation by The New York Times has uncovered complaints by employees at Boeing's South Carolina manufacturing plant alleging that the company prioritizes expediency over safety in its production processes, write Natalie Kitroeff and David Gelles. Boeing is currently facing backlash after two of its 737 Max jets crashed in recent months.
⋅ EdSurge
Students who need academic interventions often lose out when schools make schedules, researchers have found. Schools should consider student equity at an operational level to ensure that all learners have access to high-quality teachers and smaller classes, and new data tools can help them identify problems and plan better for the future.
⋅ Reuters
Commerce Department data show retail sales increased 1.6% in March, regaining ground after a plunge in December, while a Labor Department report shows continued decline in initial unemployment claims. These reports follow Federal Reserve data that show a moderate increase in economic activity and provide further evidence of good economic health.
A growing number of fast-casual restaurants are delivering personalized meals in bento boxes that compartmentalize the different dishes and ingredients. Supertoro in Santa Monica, Calif., will boast a build-your-own bento box meal when it opens this summer and Boulder, Colo.-based Kelley and Ping provides a delivery-only bento box concept.
A study in the Journal of Hospital Medicine showed that 42% of children and adolescents with asthma missed one or more critical steps in inhaler technique, while nearly 18% used their inhalers without a spacer device. The findings, based on data involving 113 youths hospitalized for asthma ages 2 to 16, also showed that inhaler technique mistakes and spacer nonuse were most prevalent among teens.
Snapchat is continuing its partnership with the Ad Council through a new "Because of You" anti-bullying campaign aimed at teens by encouraging app users to use the Lens Carousel to share a moment that another individual made a positive impact in their life and be entered for a chance to be featured on Snapchat. Some creators are also being invited to a Creators for Good event to learn how to tap their creativity to encourage social good.
⋅ Inc.
Mall retailers can stay relevant by showcasing their unique missions to attract younger shoppers and providing value in ways that go beyond low prices, writes Vanessa Merit Nornberg. Mall stores need to remember that shoppers traditionally went to the mall for the experience, "shopping with friends, finding things that created wonder, meeting new people, getting expert advice, finding the perfect dress in the morning that would be worn on a first date the same night," she writes.
Sources in the US and UK have told The Times of London that China's state intelligence network has probably helped fund Huawei Technologies, with the CIA providing strong, though not absolute, evidence to allies. The information comes as Huawei reports a 39% increase in first-quarter revenue and a slightly higher profit margin than it had in 2018.
Biotechnology firm Mustang Bio announced that its gene therapy MB-107 has cured 10 children with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. The company has an ongoing Phase I/II trial of the drug candidate at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and at the University of California at San Francisco.
A jury in a US federal court in San Diego ruled that Apple violated three Qualcomm patents in the iPhone 7, 8 and X and awarded Qualcomm $31.6 million in damages. The fight isn't over though since the companies are due back in a San Diego court April 15 in what is expected to be a much more intense face-off over patent licenses and royalties.
⋅ Reuters
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., hope to obtain support from President Donald Trump for an infrastructure bill in the coming weeks. Pelosi would like the bill to provide up at least $1 trillion, but ideally closer to $2 trillion, while Schumer is calling for "real money, ... real labor and environmental protections" to be on the table.
⋅ CNBC
Chevron will purchase Anadarko Petroleum for $33 billion in cash and stock, or a price of $65 per share. The deal "really plays to our strengths in shale, deepwater and natural gas," Chevron CEO Michael Wirth says.
The Transportation Security Administration is increasing signage at US airports to remind travelers the Real ID Act goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2020. "TSA is doing everything we can to prepare our partners and the traveling public for the Real ID deadline next year," TSA chief David Pekoske said.
Forbes has released its 2019 list of the top large US employers, and Southwest Airlines is second only to grocery chain Trader Joe's. Forbes used data from employee surveys to compile the list.