Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

During a keynote speech in New York on Monday from the managing director of Google’s Israel business, an employee in the company’s cloud division protested publicly, proclaiming “I refuse to build technology that powers genocide.” The Google Cloud engineer was subsequently fired, CNBC has learned, marking another dark moment for Google, which has been thrust … Read more

How Walmart, Delta & Starbucks are using AI to check employee messages

Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images Cue the George Orwell reference. Depending on where you work, there’s a significant chance that artificial intelligence is analyzing your messages on Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other popular apps. Huge U.S. employers such as Walmart, Delta Air Lines, T-Mobile, Chevron and Starbucks, as well as European brands … Read more

McDonald’s and Starbucks blame Israel-Hamas war for slower sales

People dit at McDonald’s outdoor seating after going out on a Saturday night along Rothschild Street on June 11, 2022 in Tel Aviv, Israel.  Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images McDonald’s and Starbucks, two of the biggest U.S. restaurant companies, both said the Israel-Hamas war hurt their sales at the end of last year. Shares of … Read more

Goldman Sachs predicts 100 million Indians will earn $10,000 by 2027

The increase in wealth has been seen from stronger retail participation, larger investments into the Indian stock markets, and gold and property purchases. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Rising disposable incomes are set to power India’s consumption story, further boosting the country’s consumer sector that is fast becoming a key driver for economic … Read more

Blank Street Coffee bets on subscription program

Blank Street Coffee’s shops have taken over New York City as they lure in customers with cheap lattes and cold brew. Now the upstart chain aims to attract even more consumers who want to slash their coffee budgets through a subscription program. The Blank Street Regulars program, which opened to the public this summer, has … Read more

Companies losing pricing power after years of unbridled spending

A FedEx worker delivers packages in New York, May 9, 2022. Andrew Kelly | Reuters After years of unbridled consumer spending on everything from home improvement to dream vacations, some companies are now finding the limits of their pricing power. Shipping giant FedEx last week said customers have shied away from speedier, pricier shipping options. … Read more

Coffee chains are crowding Singapore to jumpstart their global expansions

Group of friends at a restaurant Santiago Nunez | Klaud9 | Getty Images The Singapore coffee market is already crowded, but brands continue to open new locations in the city-state in hopes success on the island will kickstart international expansions. In the last few months, at least five players – China’s Luckin Coffee, Indonesia’s Kenangan … Read more

Inflation has created a dark cloud over how everyday Americans view the economy

Grocery items are offered for sale at a supermarket on August 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images When Kyle Connolly looks back at 2023, she sees it as a year defined by changes and challenges. The newly single parent reentered the workforce, only to be laid off from her job at … Read more

Analyst says new McDonald’s concept is no threat

BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 11: Customers place their orders at CosMc’s, a concept restaurant recently launched by McDonald’s on December 11, 2023 in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Lines to order food and beverages at the drive-thru-only restaurant, which opened to the public late last week, have been as long as 6 hours. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) … Read more

Starbucks tells union it wants to resume contract talks in January

Members and supporters of Starbucks Workers United protest outside of a Starbucks store in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 16, 2023. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images Starbucks said it wants to resume contract talks with the union representing its baristas, starting in January. Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of the first unionization of … Read more