Education

Staples is trying to increase its appeal to women by embarking on a new initiative with the city of Boston.

Barnes & Noble is trying to attract more educators to its stores by hosting a week of appreciation days in April.

During its Spring Educator Appreciation Days from April 11-19, Barnes & Noble will offer pre-K-12 public, private and homeschool educators and administrators special discounts, events, sweepstakes and giveaways.

Special discount offerings include:

Framingham, Mass. - Staples has signed onto “100% Talent: The Boston Women’s Compact,” an effort to end the gender-based wage gap and advance women in the workforce. Staples has pledged to work with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a public-private partnership to make Boston the best city in the country for working women.

Ace Hardware has always been known for its “helpful hardware folks” motto, but now the company is taking its customer service knowledge global.

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald’s USA has decided to give employees a break, in the form of higher pay, paid time off and educational assistance. McDonald’s is raising starting wages at company-owned restaurants in the U.S. one dollar more than the locally-mandated minimum wage, as of July 1.

Procter & Gamble is expanding its outreach to African American consumers with its sponsorship of the 2015 Black Girls Rock! Awards.

The company, together with Target, will celebrate African American girls who are making a positive difference and will invite the community to “change the beauty conversation” by joining P&G’s Imagine a Future (IAF) program.

Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy are teaming up to support an organization that promotes youth participating in golf.

The retailers said they will be giving as much as $1 million to the First Tee, an organization focused on positive youth development through the game of golf.

New York – Arkansas native and Walmart president CEO Doug McMillon has taken a firm stance against a “religious freedom” measure passed by the Arkansas House on Tuesday. The bill (HB1228) is similar to the one that has kicked up a firestorm in Indiana.