Consumer Affairs & Relations

Seattle – In the aftermath of the Ferguson riots, Starbucks Corp. asked store employees and managers to be extra sensitive to customers who may be feeling emotional about racial issues. Now Starbucks is asking workers in stores to show financial sensitivity.

According to Fusion, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sent an internal email to employees and managers in stores asking them to recognize and respond to customers who are experiencing stress and anxiety resulting from the recent global stock market crash.

Target Corp. has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve a hiring discrimination claim filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Fast growing e-commerce firm Instacart is now delivering groceries to a 17th major U.S. metropolitan area.

Beginning this week, customers can order from Whole Foods Market, Costco (no membership needed), Marsh Supermarkets, Georgetown Market and Petco stores and have everything delivered by Instacart in as little as one hour.

New York -- Target Corp. has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve a hiring discrimination claim filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
 
The EEOC said three "employment assessments," which Target no longer uses, disproportionately screened out applicants based on race and gender, according to the Associated Press, and therefore violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

It is no secret that there is a significant paradigm shift underway in the world of regional retail development.

Facebook and Twitter don’t have the power to move mountains (not yet anyway), but one thing is certain: Retailers are not only listening to the conversations going on out there about their brands, but, increasingly and when it makes brand-sense, acting on them. At least the smart ones are.

Consider Topshop. The global fashion retailer came under fire for using ultra-thin mannequins in its stores.

As the 10th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina approaches, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are making a commitment to disaster relief efforts.

Sears Holdings Co. has made an interesting choice to lead its hardlines division.

The company announced that Lynn Pendergrass has joined the company in the new role of president, hardlines. In this position, she will be responsible for working across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its hardlines partners — including Home Appliances, Lawn & Garden, Tools, and Sears Auto Centers — to develop compelling offers and build relationships with members who shop the hardline categories.

Massive changes in healthcare delivery, the rise of a new generation of health consumers and other forces continue to upend the practice and business of chain pharmacy, NACDS leaders told attendees of the Business Program at the 2015 NACDS Total Store Expo conference.

Dollar General is trying to launch a literacy revolution in in its home state of Tennessee.

The retailer presented a surprise check to students, teachers and administrators at H.B. Williams Elementary in White House, Tenn., for $50,000 to support literacy initiatives at the school.

"Reading is critical to a child's success in school and in life. We hope this gift will help infuse a renewed excitement about reading and strengthen the literacy programs available to the students," said Denine Torr, senior director of Community Initiatives at Dollar General.