With brief, occasional, italicized and sometimes gratuitous commentary…
• From CNBC:
"Global CEOs are anticipating a recession in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by professional services firm KPMG, which said more than half of the business leaders polled expect the slowdown to be 'mild and short.'
"A majority of the 1,300 chief executives polled by KPMG between July and August warned, however, that increased disruptions - such as a recession - could make it difficult for their businesses to rebound from the pandemic.
"That said, the CEOs expressed more optimism compared to the start of the year, and said there would be growth prospects in the next three years."
• It apparently rates coverage in the Los Angeles Times:
"Trader Joe’s stores have brought back the company’s beloved free samples after a years-long hiatus due to the pandemic.
"In the company’s podcast released Monday, hosts shared that 'demo is back,' the term the California-based grocery chain uses to describe its in-store offerings for shoppers to taste its often rotating and seasonal inventory.
"'It hasn’t been possible to offer a lot of product samples in our stores over the past few years, but we are bringing it back with a new approach,' Tara Miller, Trader Joe’s director of words and phrases and clauses, said in the podcast. Her co-host said that would mean a greater focus on new products."
Two things. First, Trader Joe's has its own podcast. (How many retailers can claim that?). And second, the company has a "director of words and phrases and clauses," which is a very cool title. As a "Content Guy," I can appreciate that.
• Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), which since 2015 has closed its physical stores on Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving and traditionally one of the busiest holiday shopping days of the year - as a way of encouraging employees (and customers) to spend the day outdoors, not shopping, has decided to make the practice permanent.
Fox News quotes president-CEO Eric Artz: "Opt Outside has always been about prioritizing the experience of our employees – choosing the benefits of time outside over a day of consumption and sales. Making Opt Outside an annual observance will serve as a yearly remind of this commitment to doing the right thing for the co-op community."
REI employs more than 16,000 people.
The policy impacts all stores, distribution facilities, activity centers and call centers, though customers still will be able to shop online.
