Kroger, Target, Walgreens push tough retail theft, shoplifting rules

Waymo, Tesla Robotaxi, and Amazon's Zoox are competing in the autonomous vehicle market, with recent developments highlighting their rivalry. Waymo has made significant strides, while Zoox has launched a new robotaxi service in San Francisco, offering free rides to users. This competition is intensifying as each company seeks to establish dominance in the self-driving taxi sector.

A key manufacturer in the food industry has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reflecting ongoing challenges within the sector. The filing highlights concerns over financial stability and operational viability amid rising costs and market volatility. This situation underscores the broader issues facing food-related businesses, particularly in the context of changing consumer behaviors and economic pressures.

Goldman Sachs has warned that the increasing debt levels among major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle, which have collectively taken on $121 billion in new debt this year, could heighten macroeconomic risks associated with the expansion of artificial intelligence. This amount is four times greater than the total debt incurred by these companies over the previous five years.

Merck & Co., a 133-year-old pharmaceutical company, has announced plans for layoffs and has filed a WARN notice. This move comes amid a broader trend of increasing layoffs across various industries, including notable tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft, which have also faced significant workforce reductions this year.

Mizuho has lowered its stock price target for Target from $94 to $88 due to weak performance in the third quarter. The retailer has faced challenges, including a reported decline in net sales, which has raised concerns about its profitability and market position.

Walgreens has announced the termination of a generous employee perk just before the holiday season, impacting store workers ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Target plans to invest billions in its stores to revitalize its performance amid declining sales. The CEO is focusing on attracting Gen Z customers, hoping they will engage more with physical retail spaces.

Target has expressed concerns that holiday sales will not be sufficient to reverse a challenging year for the retailer. The company is facing significant consumer anxiety, which is expected to impact spending during the holiday season.