• Publix said yesterday that its Q3 sales were $14 billion, a 7.2 percent increase from $13 billion in 2022, on same-store sales that were up 4.3 percent.
Net earnings for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2023 were $833 million, compared to $394 million in 2022, an increase of 111.4 percent.
• From the New York Times:
"Job openings changed little in September, the Labor Department announced Wednesday.
"There were 9.6 million job openings in September, slightly up from August’s revised total of 9.5 million, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. The figure was greater than economists’ expectations of 9.3 million openings. The rate of workers quitting their jobs was flat, at 2.3 percent, for the third straight month."
• Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market said yesterday that it is introducing "a Sensory Friendly Hour. Once each week, from 7 p.m. through 8 p.m., stores will create a calm and sensory-friendly shopping environment by refraining from making overhead announcements, playing any music and reducing the volume of walkie talkies."
According to the announcement, the initiative "aligns with New Seasons Market’s core values of providing the very best shopping experience and understanding the unique requirements of its diverse customer base. By introducing the Sensory Friendly Hour, the company aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring shopping is an enjoyable experience for all.
"While Sensory Friendly Hour will always take place at the same time, it will vary by day based on location."
• The Information reports that "DoorDash reported revenue grew 27% to $2.16 billion, reflecting continued steady growth in orders for the restaurant-meal delivery service … The quarterly results showed that DoorDash’s growth rate is slowing down but only slightly. Its total orders increased 24% year on year in the quarter, compared with 25% in the June quarter and 27% in the preceding three quarters."
• CNBC reports that Starbucks' Q4 total revenue was up 11 percent to nearly $9.4 billion; net income was up 39 percent to $1.2 billion.
Global same-store sales rose 8 percent, fueled by higher average checks and a 3 percent increase in customer traffic to its cafes.
