Walmart associates in Tennessee received more than $5.2 million in second-quarter bonuses Sept. 5, the company announced.

There are about 41,000 Walmart associates in Tennessee. As of Aug. 15, Walmart reported an average wage of $13.92 for full-time hourly associates in its Tennessee discount stores, supercenters and neighborhood markets.

2. Tennessee Walmart Associates Receive $5.19M in Bonuses - Monday, September 10, 2018

On Thursday, Sept. 5, Walmart associates in Tennessee received more than $5.19 million in Q2 bonuses, the company announced.

There are about 41,000 Walmart associates in Tennessee. As of Aug. 15, Walmart reported an average wage of $13.92 for full-time hourly associates in its Tennessee discount stores, supercenters and neighborhood markets.

3. Kroger Rolls Out Driverless Cars For Grocery Deliveries - Monday, August 20, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — At a time when big-box retailers are trying to offer the same conveniences as their online competitors, the biggest U.S. grocery chain is testing the use of driverless cars to deliver groceries in a Phoenix suburb.

4. New Starbucks Planned Near I-40/Whitten Exit - Friday, August 17, 2018

Morning commuters near the Whitten-Interstate 40 junction soon will have a more convenient way to jolt their senses as Starbucks plans a new location.

A new Starbucks appears headed for Northeast Memphis, according to the latest building permit applications.

5. Walmart Testing Automated Carts to Speed Up Grocery Orders - Monday, August 6, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart is testing automated carts that retrieve bins of groceries from storage as it tries to speed up the process of packaging online orders to send out or bringing to customers at their cars.

6. Waymo Launching Pilot Program With Walmart - Thursday, July 26, 2018

Google spinoff Waymo is launching a pilot program with Walmart later this week that will allow customers to use its self-driving car service to pick up groceries at Walmart stores.

Waymo said in a blog post on Wednesday that the program, which will be tested in Phoenix starting later this week, will help make shopping more convenient.

7. Trucking Firm Seeks PILOT to Relocate HQ to Vacated American Way Strip Center - Saturday, July 21, 2018

The vacated Circuit City on American Way could become the corporate headquarters of a Memphis-based trucking company that serves FedEx, Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers.

JNJ Logistics LLC is seeking a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive to move from the Getwell Road location it has outgrown and invest $20.5 million to redevelop a former electronics store and shopping center on American Way into its new corporate headquarters.

8. Billionaires Fuel US Charter Schools Movement - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

SEATTLE (AP) – Dollar for dollar, the beleaguered movement to bring charter schools to Wash-ington state has had no bigger champion than billionaire Bill Gates.

9. Prime Time: A Day of Deals at Amazon, and at its Rivals - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon's annual "Prime Day" promotion that starts Monday will focus on new products, bringing Whole Foods into the process and persuading subscribers that Prime membership is worth the coming price hike.

10. Arkansas Company to Restore Historic Jonesboro Building - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) – The old building at 215 Union St. has sat vacant for decades.

But after the National Park Service placed it on the National Register of Historic Places recently, plans are in motion to bring it back to life.

11. Walmart Yodel Kid of Viral Video Fame Announces Debut Album - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – It was only a matter of time, just a couple of months actually, before a preteen boy captured in a viral video yodeling in a Walmart put out a record.

Mason Ramsey, the adorable 11-year-old whose version of a Hank Williams classic has been watched more than 50 million times on YouTube and spawned multiple remixes, will put out his first album on July 20.

12. Woman Injured When Gun Accidentally Fires in Store - Monday, July 2, 2018

LEXINGTON, Tenn. (AP) — Police in Tennessee say a woman was injured when a gun she carried into a Walmart fired a shot after falling from its holster and hitting the floor.

The Jackson Sun reports that bullet fragments hit the woman in the leg at the store in Lexington. She was treated and released at a hospital Thursday.

13. High Court: Online shoppers can be forced to pay sales tax - Friday, June 22, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — States will be able to force more shoppers to pay sales tax when they make online purchases under a Supreme Court decision Thursday that will leave shoppers with lighter wallets but is a big financial win for states.

14. Business Leaders Speak Out Against Child Separation Policy - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

DETROIT (AP) – Business leaders are condemning the Trump administration's decision to separate children from parents who are accused of crossing the border illegally.

The Business Roundtable, a lobbying group that includes the CEOs of Walmart Inc., General Motors Co., Boeing Co. and Mastercard Inc., released a statement Tuesday urging the immediate end to the policy.

15. Balmoral School PTO Head Indicted for Theft - Saturday, June 16, 2018

The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

16. Balmoral School PTO Pres Indicted for Theft - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

17. Balmoral School's PTO Pres Indicted For Theft - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

The former president of the Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury for theft of more than $1,000.

Tameka Harrison resigned her post with the PTO in May on the last day of school. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office was already investigating the PTO’s finances after Shelby County School officials notified the comptroller’s office about deficiencies in the account.

18. Corky’s BBQ to Partner with Dobbs Equity to Fund Expansion - Friday, June 8, 2018

Longtime Memphis mainstay Corky’s BBQ has announced a partnership with Dobbs Equity Partners LLC, a company founded by local businessman John H. Dobbs Jr., to further accelerate the worldwide growth of the hometown barbecue brand.

19. Department Stores Making Themselves Over in Beauty Battle - Monday, June 4, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – It's the beauty aisles themselves getting makeovers now.

Department stores are being forced to rethink how they sell higher-end makeup and perfume as competition intensifies from discounters like Target, specialty chains like Sephora and Ulta and online brands. So stores like Saks and Macy's are promising workouts for your face, augmented reality and beauty treatment concierges as they try to attract millennial customers and make the cosmetics aisles more of a destination than a stopover.

20. Need an Entry-Level Job at a Store? It Can Be Harder Now - Friday, June 1, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Asia Thomas knew she was at a disadvantage. It had been 16 years since she quit a job at McDonald's to raise her kids. When she left, restaurants didn't have kiosks to take orders, people didn't use smartphones to pay, and job seekers did applications on paper.

21. Sears to Close Another 72 Stores as Sales Plunge - Friday, June 1, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Sears will close another 72 stores as sales shrink and losses grow, an announcement that has become a familiar refrain as the company retrenches.

The beleaguered retailer, which operates Kmart and Sears stores, said it has identified about 100 stores that are no longer turning a profit, and the majority of those locations will be shuttered soon.

22. Walmart Offers Employees New Perk: Cheap Access to College - Thursday, May 31, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart is offering its employees a new perk: affordable access to a college degree.

America's largest private employer, which in the past has helped its workers get their high school or equivalency degrees, hopes the new benefit will help it recruit and retain higher quality entry-level employees in a tight U.S. labor market.

23. Experts: Starbucks Training a First Step in Confronting Bias - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Starbucks, trying to put to rest an outcry over the arrest of two black men at one of its stores, was set to close more than 8,000 stores Tuesday for an afternoon of anti-bias training, a strategy some believe can keep racism at bay.

24. Agape Receives $50K Grant From Walmart Foundation - Saturday, May 26, 2018

Agape Child & Family Services has received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation.

The funds will go to Agape’s Families in Transition program, which serves homeless and imminently homeless families, particularly those fleeing domestic violence. Specifically, the grant will support Agape in providing homeless families with transitional housing, counseling, life skills, parenting skills, job readiness training, education support and budgeting guidance.

25. Agape Receives $50K Grant From Walmart Foundation - Monday, May 21, 2018

Agape Child & Family Services has received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation.

The funds will go to Agape’s Families in Transition program, which serves homeless and imminently homeless families, particularly those fleeing domestic violence. Specifically, the grant will support Agape in providing homeless families with transitional housing, counseling, life skills, parenting skills, job readiness training, education support and budgeting guidance.

26. Walmart Unveils Lord & Taylor Site as it Tries to Go Upscale - Thursday, May 17, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart, long known for its "everyday low prices" mantra and as a place for basics, wants shoppers to think of it as a source for style and upscale fashion as it tries to reach more affluent customers.

27. Walmart Policy Aimed At Curbing Opioid Abuse - Saturday, May 12, 2018

Walmart is taking steps aimed at curbing opioid abuse and misuse.

The retail giant announced on Monday that Walmart and Sam’s Club will restrict initial acute opioid prescriptions to no more than a seven-day supply within the next 60 days.

28. Grocery Wars - Saturday, May 12, 2018

For a typical consumer, a trip to the grocery store might mean little more than a quick run to pick up essentials like bread and milk. Cart filled. Self-checkout. Back out the sliding doors. So mundane, none of it is given a second thought once you’re back in the car with your purchases.

29. Walmart Makes a $16 Billion Bet on India's Booming Economy - Thursday, May 10, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart will soon reach shoppers in India's massive consumer market directly, as it takes control of the online retailer Flipkart that's known for its ubiquitous delivery drivers on motorcycles with oversized backpacks.

30. Walmart to Add Policy Aimed at Curbing Opioid Abuse - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Walmart is taking steps aimed at curbing opioid abuse and misuse.

The retail giant announced on Monday that Walmart and Sam's Club will restrict initial acute opioid prescriptions to no more than a seven-day supply within the next 60 days. It also will follow laws in states that require acute opioid prescriptions for less than seven days.

31. FTC Frowns on Bogus Product Claims - Thursday, May 3, 2018

Parents want to see their kids do better in school. Seniors want to avoid or delay the cognitive decline that often accompanies aging. People who are overweight or suffering from a serious disease hope to find a miracle treatment.

32. Sears' Biggest Shareholder Offers to Buy Kenmore Brand - Tuesday, April 24, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Sears' biggest shareholder has suggested the company sell its well-known Kenmore brand and some real estate holdings, offering itself as a potential buyer.

The ailing company has sold off other major brands as it struggles to stay afloat, with Kenmore a notable remainder of the powerhouse retailer that survived two world wars and the Great Depression.

33. State and Federal Corruption Charges Against Two Cops Prompt Review of Their Cases - Monday, April 23, 2018

The District Attorney General’s office is reviewing arrests and criminal cases in which two former Memphis Police officers played a major role. The review comes after officers Terrion Bryson and Kevin Coleman were indicted by the Shelby County grand jury and a federal grand jury on state and federal drug conspiracy, robbery and corruption charges.

34. Walmart Tests New Employee Dress Code at Some Stores - Monday, April 23, 2018

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Retail giant Walmart is testing a new dress code that gives employees more freedom.

Under the pilot program at fewer than 100 stores, workers can wear solid color blue jeans instead of khaki-colored or black denim pants. They also can wear a solid-color shirt of their choosing instead of solid blue or white shirts.

35. Two Memphis Cooks Compete for WFC Title - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Two Memphis cooks will go head-to-head with eight other food category champs in Bentonville, Arkansas, this weekend to see whose dish is worthy of the event’s ultimate title and grand prize.

36. Local Experts: Health Care So Far Immune to Simplification and Lower Costs - Monday, April 16, 2018

That Walmart may be close to acquiring the health insurer Humana is one signal that we’re in not just a period of change for the health care industry, but a fundamental reshaping of the landscape and a shifting of the players involved.

37. Kroger Spends Millions to Permanently Cut Prices in Memphis and Beyond - Thursday, April 12, 2018

Kroger has made a “multimillion-dollar investment” to permanently cut prices on more than 3,000 products in its grocery stores across Memphis and its multistate Delta Division.

Shoppers will be met with oversized signage announcing the price cuts almost anywhere they turn inside Memphis-area Kroger stores. That includes messaging that completely covers the entrances that shoppers walk through at locations like the Kroger at 1675 N. Germantown Parkway, where a bright yellow image of a few grocery items and the announcement “Say Hello To Lower Prices” covers the doors.

38. Sunday Wine, Liquor Sales Passes in Tenn. Senate - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

NASHVILLE – Buoyed by Bible verses and compromise giving liquor stores a head start on Sunday sales, legislation allowing grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays passed the Senate Wednesday on a 17-11 vote.

39. Kroger's Hiring Spree Goes On, Another 11K Jobs This Year - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

CINCINNATI (AP) – Kroger is hiring 11,000 workers, up about 1,000 from last year.

The nation's largest grocery chain by revenue is locked in a fierce completion with Amazon.com, which acquired Whole Foods last year, as well as Walmart and Target.

40. Local Experts To Tackle Health Care Changes - Thursday, April 5, 2018

Eight years after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, health care can still spark contentious debates around the country, though there are nevertheless a few things people can agree on.

Costs keep going up. Insurers have continued to pull out of the individual ACA marketplace, leaving that market segment volatile and uncertain. And there’s still no widespread consensus on how to plug the gaps that still exist in the country’s health care system.

41. Walmart Reportedly Eyes Deal With Insurer Humana - Monday, April 2, 2018

Walmart may be looking to dive deeper into the rapidly evolving health care market by acquiring the insurer Humana, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said that the retail giant is in early talks with Humana, a major provider of Medicare Advantage coverage for people age 65 and older. Citing anonymous sources, the Journal said late Thursday that the companies are discussing a number of options, including an acquisition.

42. 30 Years of Shangri-La - Friday, March 30, 2018

The sign propped up on the porch beside the door announces a “huge sale” and “free show” this Saturday, March 31, at Shangri-La Records – the music shop at 1916 Madison Ave. you might mistake for a house if you were driving by too fast and not paying attention. Inside, the shop is packed with boxes of vinyl and arranged so that you actually have to slow down and thumb through all those sleeves and all that plastic if you want to get any kind of sense of the musical treasure herein.

43. Walmart Removes Cosmopolitan Magazine From Checkout Aisles - Thursday, March 29, 2018

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Walmart says it was a business decision to remove Cosmopolitan magazine from its checkout aisles, but some groups have raised concerns about the sexual content of the publication marketed to women.

44. FedEx Talks Texas Bombs, Walmart In Q3 Earnings - Thursday, March 22, 2018

It was a busy Tuesday for FedEx Corp. as the Memphis-based company discussed the San Antonio facility explosion, $2.5 billion in hub modernizations, and a new deal with Walmart all while posting higher than expected returns during its March 20 third quarter earnings call.

45. Last Word: SCS Plans For $15, IRIS Matinees and The Hard Hit Fund - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

“From a financial standpoint, we need our fans back and we need them back now.” University of Memphis president David Rudd breaking the university’s silence on the basketball coaching change that was made formal Tuesday with the announcement that Penny Hardaway is indeed the new coach. And Hardaway had a lot to say that Tigers fans and Memphians wanted to hear.

46. FedEx Talks Texas Explosion, Walmart, and Increased Profits during Earnings Call - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

It was a busy day for FedEx Corp. as the Memphis-based company discussed the San Antonio facility explosion, $2.5 billion in hub modernizations, and a new deal with Walmart all while posting higher than expected returns during its March 20 third quarter earnings call.

47. FedEx Office Expanding Walmart Footprint - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

FedEx Office, a subsidiary of Memphis-based FedEx Corp., has announced an agreement to add 500 new locations within select Walmart locations across the country.

48. Not Handy? Walmart Offers TV Installers, Furniture Builders - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart doesn't just want to sell TVs and furniture – it wants to send a professional home to set them up, too.

The world's largest retailer said Monday that it is expanding a deal with on-demand online services platform Handy.com, allowing shoppers to hire helpers at 2,000 of its stores nationwide to mount a TV on their wall or assemble a bookcase.

49. Without Toys R Us, 30,000 Jobs, A Black Hole for Toy Makers - Friday, March 16, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – The demise of Toys R Us will have a ripple effect on everything from toy makers to consumers to landlords.

The 70-year-old retailer is headed toward shuttering its U.S. operations, jeopardizing the jobs of some 30,000 employees while spelling the end for a chain known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot.

50. On Medicaid? Amazon Offers Recipients a Prime Discount - Thursday, March 8, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon has taken another step to woo low-income shoppers to its site and away from rival Walmart.

The online retailer opened its discounted $5.99-a-month Prime membership on Wednesday to people on Medicaid, giving it an even bigger pool of potential shoppers who may otherwise have been unable to pay the standard fee.

51. Target's Remake is Accelerating, at a Cost - Wednesday, March 7, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Target is increasing the minimum hourly pay to $12 starting this spring, the second increase in a matter of months, while accelerating its reinvention plan to make the discounter more competitive in the age of Amazon.

52. Dinner to Go: Walmart to Expand Meal Kits to More Stores - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart wants a bigger slice of the crowded meal kits business, announcing Monday that it will offer easy-to-make dinners in more stores this year.

The move puts the world's largest retailer in direct competition with meal-kit companies such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh, which deliver boxes of raw meat and chopped vegetables to subscribers' doorsteps. After Walmart's announcement Monday, Blue Apron's stock tumbled 5 percent.

53. Kroger Joins Other Big Retailers, Tightens Gun Restrictions - Friday, March 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Kroger will no longer sell guns to anyone under 21 at the stores it owns, becoming the third major retailer this week to put restrictions in place that are stronger than federal laws.

54. Walmart Sets Age of 21 to Buy Firearms, Ammunition - Friday, March 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart announced Wednesday that it will no longer sell firearms and ammunition to people younger than 21 and would also remove items resembling assault-style rifles from its website.

55. Defying the NRA, Dick's Takes a Harder Line Against Guns - Thursday, March 1, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Dick's Sporting Goods will immediately stop selling assault-style rifles and ban the sale of all guns to anyone under 21, the company said Wednesday, as its CEO took on the National Rifle Association by demanding tougher gun laws after the massacre in Florida.

56. Walmart Launching New Clothes Brands, As Target, Amazon Have - Wednesday, February 28, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart is launching new private-label clothing brands, a move its rivals Target and Amazon have made as well.

The world's largest retailer is unveiling four new lines for women, men and children with items from $5 to $30 that will be available Thursday. It's the most ambitious clothing launch in years for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company, which is trying to shed its just-basics image and become a destination for trendier products from food to home design.

57. Pre-K Expansion Faces Resistance in Push for Sunday Wine Sales - Monday, February 26, 2018

NASHVILLE – Legislation sending revenue from Sunday wine sales to prekindergarten expansion faces a battle on several fronts when it reaches a committee in early March.

The bill sponsored by state Sen. Lee Harris is designed to take the state tax dollars from the sale of wine on Sundays, if that separate bill passes this session, and divert it to a fund designed to increase access for low-income children to prekindergarten classrooms in Tennessee. The bill is set to be heard March 6 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

58. Walmart's Bruising Battle With Amazon Saps Its Q4 Results - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart is getting bruised in its battle with online leader Amazon.

The world's largest retailer on Tuesday reported a smaller-than-expected fourth-quarter profit as it wrestled with slower e-commerce sales during the busiest time of the year. The results underscore the company's challenges in a fiercely competitive retail landscape.

59. More Companies Providing Some Parental Leave Pay - Saturday, February 17, 2018

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act ensures that employees with over a year of employment get 12 weeks unpaid time off from their jobs, and the Tennessee Maternity Leave Act allows certain female employees four months of unpaid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, care of a newborn and adoption.

60. Kale to Go: Amazon to Roll Out Delivery at Whole Foods - Friday, February 9, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon is bringing its speedy delivery to Whole Foods. The online retail giant plans to roll out two-hour delivery at the organic grocer this year to those who pay for Amazon's $99-a-year Prime membership. It is the company's biggest move since it bought the organic grocer last year.

61. Tyson Foods Announces Bonuses Due to Federal Tax Overhaul - Friday, February 9, 2018

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas-based Tyson Foods Inc. says more than 100,000 employees will receive bonuses as a result of company savings due to the overhaul of federal tax laws.

62. Southaven Ex-Mayor Stops Seeking Job In Nearby City - Friday, February 9, 2018

HORN LAKE, Miss. (AP) – A disgraced former mayor withdrew his application Wednesday to work as a city planner in a neighboring north Mississippi city.

Former Southaven Mayor Greg Davis announced he was no longer seeking the position in neighboring Horn Lake after that city's aldermen on Tuesday postponed a decision on hiring him.

63. Tax Cut, Bonuses for Workers? Many Businesses Not Sure Yet - Thursday, February 8, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Small business owners may want to hand out bonuses and raises now that there's a new tax law, but many don't know if they'll have any wealth to share.

"We didn't base any raises or bonuses on the tax situation because, quite frankly, until it actually happens, no one's sure what's going to happen," says Rod Hughes, a vice president at Kimball Hughes Public Relations in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The company gave its seven full-time employees year-end bonuses last month.

64. Chipotle, Citing Tax Changes, Sends Bonuses, Ups Benefits - Thursday, February 8, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Chipotle is the latest company to give out one-time cash and stock bonuses, and will broaden parental leave benefits for workers following sweeping changes to U.S. tax law.

The announcement follows similar actions at big companies including Walmart, Starbucks and Disney.

65. Kroger Selling Its Convenience Store Unit for $2.15 Billion - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – British convenience store operator EG Group is buying Kroger's convenience store unit for $2.15 billion as it expands into the U.S.

Kroger and other grocery store operators have been facing tougher competition from companies including Walmart and Amazon. The Cincinnati company has been considering a sale of its convenience store operations since October.

66. Best Buy to Hand Out Bonuses to Workers - Monday, February 5, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Best Buy Co., the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, says it will be handing out bonuses to more than 100,000 employees, joining a list of companies sharing a portion of their windfall from the corporate tax reform law with employees.

67. Big Pay Gains for US Workers Contribute to Wall St. Sell-Off - Monday, February 5, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Pay raises, the U.S. economy's Achilles' heel in its long recovery from the Great Recession, finally showed signs of accelerating last month – a trend that fanned inflation fears and sent bond yields rising and stocks sinking.

68. Lowe's to Hand Out Bonuses, Sweeten Benefits Amid Tax Cuts - Friday, February 2, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Home improvement chain Lowe's Cos. says it's handing out bonuses of up to $1,000 for its more than 260,000 hourly employees, as it becomes the latest major employer to invest in its workers after Congress approved a tax cut that will help businesses.

69. Health Care Just the Latest Industry Amazon Seeks to Upend - Thursday, February 1, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – When Amazon sets its sights on a new industry, corporate America shudders.

The latest example came Tuesday, when the online retailing giant said it is working with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to create a company to offer affordable health care to their employees. Stocks of health insurers tumbled, erasing billions of dollars in shareholder value.

70. Starbucks Gives Workers Raises, Stock Grants Due to Tax Law - Thursday, January 25, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Starbucks is giving its U.S. workers pay raises and stock grants this year, citing recent changes to the tax law.

All employees will soon be able to earn paid sick time off, and the company's parental leave benefits will include all non-birth parents. Starbucks Corp. said Wednesday that the changes affect about 150,000 full-time, part-time, hourly and salaried employees, most of whom work as baristas or shop managers. The new benefits apply to workers at more than 8,200 company-owned stores but not at the 5,700 licensed shops like those found inside supermarkets.

71. Container Apartments, Warehouse Moving Ahead - Friday, January 19, 2018

Plans for a southeast Memphis textiles distribution facility and a Medical District apartment development made of shipping containers both took steps forward Wednesday, Jan. 17, with approvals from local boards.

72. Walmart Offers Way to Turn Leftover Opioids Into Useless Gel - Thursday, January 18, 2018

Walmart is helping customers get rid of leftover opioids by giving them packets that turn the addictive painkillers into a useless gel.

The retail giant said Wednesday that it will provide the packets free with opioid prescriptions filled at its 4,700 U.S. pharmacies.

73. Despite Merry Holidays, Retailers Face Challenges in 2018 - Tuesday, January 16, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Retailers are riding high after ebullient U.S. consumers shopped at the healthiest pace in more than a decade over the holiday season. But merchants can't afford to rest easy.

74. Supreme Court to Hear Sales Tax Collection Case - Monday, January 15, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court agreed Friday to wade into the issue of sales tax collection on internet purchases in a case that could force consumers to pay more for certain purchases and allow states to recoup what they say is billions in lost revenue annually.

75. Walmart Boosts Starting Pay, Closing Dozens of Sam's Clubs - Friday, January 12, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart confirmed Thursday that it is closing dozens of Sam's Club warehouse stores across the country – a move that seems sure to cost jobs – on the same day it announced that it was boosting its starting salary for U.S. workers and handing out one-time bonuses to others.

76. Sears Raises $100M in New Financing, Eyes $200M in Cost Cuts - Thursday, January 11, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – Sears has secured more financing, and is eying more cost cutting, as the beleaguered retailer reported a big sales drop during the critical holiday season.

The company, which operates Sears and Kmart stores, said Wednesday that it secured $100 million in new financing, will seek twice that from other sources, and will attempt $200 million in additional cost cuts this year unrelated to store closings. It also warned that if the company's efforts to complete these transactions are not fully successful, then the board will consider all other options to maximize the value of its assets.

77. Retail Workers Feel Disruption From Shifting Shopper Habits - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) – With new options and conveniences, there's never been a better time for shoppers. As for workers ... well, not always.

The retail industry is being radically reshaped by technology, and nobody feels that disruption more starkly than 16 million American shelf stockers, salespeople, cashiers and others. The shifts are driven, like much in retail, by the Amazon effect – the explosion of online shopping and the related changes in consumer behavior and preferences.

78. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some Who Died in 2017 - Monday, January 1, 2018

They made music that inspired legions of fans. Rock 'n' roll founding fathers Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, rockers Tom Petty and Gregg Allman, grunge icon Chris Cornell, country superstar Glen Campbell and jazz great Al Jarreau were among the notable figures who died in 2017, leaving a void in virtually every genre of music.

79. Small Retailers Capitalized on Strengths for Holiday Season - Thursday, December 28, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Independent retailers who've had a successful holiday season say they took advantage of the fact that there are strengths in not being huge.

Store owners report they were able to change pricing and other strategies quickly. Many offered customers more personal service and a warmer atmosphere. And they said they used social media tools designed for smaller companies, including inexpensive ads on Facebook.

80. Counterfeit Products Harm Consumers and Businesses - Thursday, December 28, 2017

Fingerlings were hot toys this past holiday season. They’re interactive monkey finger puppets that sold out quickly at some stores. Desperate parents searching for them online were relieved to find the toys for sale on well-known and other seemingly legitimate websites.

81. Calendar Quirk, Amazon Put Pressure on Retailers to Deliver - Monday, December 18, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – A calendar quirk this year and Amazon's seven-days-a-week delivery capability are building pressure on retailers to deliver.

With Christmas on a Monday, most retailers have one less day to get packages delivered on time. Some are pushing up their deadlines for standard delivery or free shipping. And after promoting the convenience of buying online with store pickup, retailers are also trying to satisfy lots of customers coming in to collect their orders.

82. Tavis Smiley, Suspended By PBS, Vows to Fight Back - Friday, December 15, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – PBS has suspended radio and TV host Tavis Smiley after finding what it called "troubling allegations" of sexual misconduct, making him the second high-profile star to be ousted from a network known for its high-brow, genteel programming.

83. Stores Hoping People Keep Shopping Offer Cyber Monday Deals - Tuesday, November 28, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – After offering online deals for days, retailers are rolling out even more promotions for Cyber Monday, hoping to keep people buying stuff on their smartphones or computers.

84. A Look at What Some Stores Have Planned for Black Friday - Thursday, November 23, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – With Black Friday having stretched into a November full of deals, stores will be stepping it up as holiday shopping begins in earnest.

It's been a tough year for many retailers. Several well-known chains have filed for bankruptcy protection and thousands of stores have closed. Amazon is going into the holiday season with its largest ever store presence, and plans to offer deals online every day from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. Stores are trying to step up their game online and in person to attract customers who are moving back and forth from store to phone shopping.

85. Apocalypse Not - Saturday, November 25, 2017

Much has been said about the so-called “Retail Apocalypse,” a frightening term that conjures images of a desolate landscape littered with boarded-up malls and shopping centers representing the death of American capitalism. 

86. Amazon Goes Into the Holidays With Magnified Store Presence - Tuesday, November 21, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon goes into the holiday season with a newly magnified brick-and-mortar presence, giving it more opportunities to sell its Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets and other gadgets.

87. Tesla Wants to Electrify Big Trucks, Adding to Its Ambitions - Monday, November 20, 2017

DETROIT (AP) – After more than a decade of making cars and SUVs – and, more recently, solar panels – Tesla Inc. wants to electrify a new type of vehicle: big trucks.

88. Walmart Sees Strong Online Sales Lift Third-Quarter Results - Friday, November 17, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – A surging online business and strong food sales boosted Walmart's results Thursday ahead of the holiday season, a day after its rival Target offered a cautious forecast that overshadowed progress it has made in bringing more customers to its stores.

89. Walmart to Offer Black Friday Deals Early on Its Website - Friday, November 10, 2017

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Walmart hopes to tempt shoppers with online deals before Black Friday.

It's beginning some online deals Thursday and plans to offer most of its Black Friday deals online starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thanksgiving. Stores will be open all day on Thanksgiving with the deals available there at 6 p.m. local time Walmart is adding a color-coded map of store departments on its circulars in hopes of making it easier for customers to find items.

90. FTC Frowns on Misleading ‘Made in USA’ Claims - Thursday, November 9, 2017

The FTC gets unhappy when a company says its products are “Made in USA” but don’t meet the standards for making such claims. It settled charges this year with companies in a variety of industries whose unqualified claims that their products were “Made in USA” or “Built in USA” weren’t true.

91. Kroger to Sell Own Line of Clothing Aimed at the Family - Monday, November 6, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Kroger is launching its own fashion line starting next fall.

The nation's largest supermarket chain said Friday that the brand will first make its debut at Fred Meyer and Kroger Marketplace stores, totaling 300 locations across the country. The casual collection will span from children to teens to adults.

92. Walmart, Sam’s Club Raise Funds for Miracle Network - Saturday, November 4, 2017

Walmart and Sam’s Club locations will continue their fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, through Friday, Nov. 3, the retail chains have announced.

93. Package Wars: Postal Service Offers Next-Day Sunday Delivery - Thursday, November 2, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) – As consumers demand ever-quicker and convenient package delivery, the U.S. Postal Service wants to boost its business this holiday season by offering what few e-commerce retailers can provide: cheap next-day service with packages delivered Sundays to your home.

94. Walmart Hopes to Make Stores Livelier for the Holidays - Thursday, November 2, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – As more shoppers shift online, Walmart hopes to make its stores more fun this holiday season.

The nation's largest retailer will have parties for customers at its stores for the first time, around the themes of toys, entertainment and curated gifts. It's increasing the number of product demonstrations and will expand the role of employees who last year helped find customers the shortest register lines. This year, they'll assist customers in the toys and electronics areas every weekend and be at the online orders pickup stations as Christmas approaches.

95. Walmart, Sam’s Club Continue CMN Hospital Fundraiser - Thursday, November 2, 2017

Walmart and Sam’s Club locations will continue their fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, through Friday, Nov. 3, the retail chains have announced.

96. Big River Crossing: Observations on two wheels … and sometimes two feet - Saturday, October 21, 2017

You can’t really do the reporting on Big River Crossing and the connections to it without going at it on bike. And so here are a few observations and opinions:

I've seen the jerseys and other riding apparel. And I understand its comfort as well as its purpose. But I can't do it -- at least not the whole outfit. I feel like I will have to turn in my Frayser resident card. If this gear had been around when we had bell bottoms, before the return of straight leg jeans – maybe. But probably not.

97. Target Joins Other Retailers in Offering Voice Shopping - Friday, October 13, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Target is jumping into voice-activated shopping as it deepens its relationship with Google, offering thousands of items found in the store except for perishables like fruit and milk.

98. Walmart Sees the Future and It is Digital - Wednesday, October 11, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Walmart is all about online, anticipating digital sales next fiscal year will rise about 40 percent and that it will double the number of U.S. curbside locations for online grocery shoppers at its stores.

99. Target is Raising Minimum Hourly Wage to $15 by End of 2020 - Tuesday, September 26, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Target Corp. is raising its minimum hourly wage for workers to $11 starting next month and then to $15 by the end of 2020, a move it says will help it hire and keep the best employees and make shopping a better experience for customers.

100. Not Home? Walmart Wants to Walk In and Stock Your Fridge - Monday, September 25, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) – Would you be OK with letting a stranger into your house for the sake of convenience?

Walmart is testing the idea with a new service that lets a delivery person walk into your home when you're not there to drop off packages or put groceries in the fridge.