Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPKEY POINTS announced Thursday it will give 425,000 employees a raise, a move that will increase its average pay to above $15 an hour.The discounter is the country's largest private employer with a U.S. workforce of 1.5 million people. Its minimum starting wage will remain $11 an hour. Starting March 13, it will pay store workers who stock shelves or support its e-commerce business $13 to $19 an hour, depending on their role and store location.In an interview with CNBC's  on "," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company supports...…Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPKEY POINTS announced Thursday it will give 425,000 employees a raise, a move that will increase its average pay to above $15 an hour.The discounter is the country's largest private employer with a U.S. workforce of 1.5 million people. Its minimum starting wage will remain $11 an hour. Starting March 13, it will pay store workers who stock shelves or support its e-commerce business $13 to $19 an hour, depending on their role and store location.In an interview with CNBC's  on "," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the company supports...WW…

Key PointsWhen moves into the White House, he may have to leave part of his workout routine behind.The president-elect's could be seen by the Secret Service as a security threat, The popular stationary bike connects to the internet and includes a camera and microphone that could create a risk of being hacked.To get the all-clear on the exercise equipment, Biden's Peloton may have to rip out some of its key features — the mic, camera and networking equipment that connects it to cycling classes and makes it feel more interactive, Max Kilger, director of the University of Texas at San...…Key PointsWhen moves into the White House, he may have to leave part of his workout routine behind.The president-elect's could be seen by the Secret Service as a security threat, The popular stationary bike connects to the internet and includes a camera and microphone that could create a risk of being hacked.To get the all-clear on the exercise equipment, Biden's Peloton may have to rip out some of its key features — the mic, camera and networking equipment that connects it to cycling classes and makes it feel more interactive, Max Kilger, director of the University of Texas at San...WW…

Key PointsIt's Black Friday — Here's how retail looks so farSome shoppers may be avoiding stores during , but they're still putting many items in the virtual shopping cart.Thanksgiving Day spending rose by 21.5% year over year to $5.1 billion, hitting a new record, according to Adobe Analytics data. Online sales were $4.2 billion on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. The company analyzes traffic on retail websites and transactions from 80 of the top 100 U.S. online retailers.Nearly half of those purchases were made on a smartphone, according to Adobe.Retailers that offer curbside pickup had a 31%...…Key PointsIt's Black Friday — Here's how retail looks so farSome shoppers may be avoiding stores during , but they're still putting many items in the virtual shopping cart.Thanksgiving Day spending rose by 21.5% year over year to $5.1 billion, hitting a new record, according to Adobe Analytics data. Online sales were $4.2 billion on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. The company analyzes traffic on retail websites and transactions from 80 of the top 100 U.S. online retailers.Nearly half of those purchases were made on a smartphone, according to Adobe.Retailers that offer curbside pickup had a 31%...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleDuring the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Meagan Remmes felt a tug for companionship after she got furloughed from her job and spent long days in a quiet house. She found her answer about two weeks ago in a box abandoned near her mailbox.She heard a whimper. Inside, she found a weeks-old puppy wrapped in a towel.Her new rescue puppy, Locust, is one of many that have joined families through during the pandemic as Americans seek out company and find it in pets from reptiles to cats. As Americans get ready for the holidays, retailers and industry-watchers...…Key PointsIn this articleDuring the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Meagan Remmes felt a tug for companionship after she got furloughed from her job and spent long days in a quiet house. She found her answer about two weeks ago in a box abandoned near her mailbox.She heard a whimper. Inside, she found a weeks-old puppy wrapped in a towel.Her new rescue puppy, Locust, is one of many that have joined families through during the pandemic as Americans seek out company and find it in pets from reptiles to cats. As Americans get ready for the holidays, retailers and industry-watchers...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleAt some stores, robots have roamed the sales floors and helped check if shelves were stocked. But the big-box retailer has now decided to end its contract with the robotics company behind those machines after finding that people can do about the same work, according to The report, which cited unnamed people familiar with the situation, said Walmart recently cut ties with Bossa Nova Robotics. A Walmart spokesperson told the Journal that about 500 robots were in Walmart's more than 4,700 stores when the contract ended.Walmart has seen significant growth during the ,...…Key PointsIn this articleAt some stores, robots have roamed the sales floors and helped check if shelves were stocked. But the big-box retailer has now decided to end its contract with the robotics company behind those machines after finding that people can do about the same work, according to The report, which cited unnamed people familiar with the situation, said Walmart recently cut ties with Bossa Nova Robotics. A Walmart spokesperson told the Journal that about 500 robots were in Walmart's more than 4,700 stores when the contract ended.Walmart has seen significant growth during the ,...WW…

Key Points is turning four of its stores into laboratories that test ways to turn the retailer's huge physical footprint into a more powerful edge for e-commerce.The big-box giant said Thursday that it's designating two stores near its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and two others that will be announced later. It said the stores and their employees will try out approaches that better blend the brick-and-mortar and digital sides of the business and improve the experience for customers.Walmart, like other retailers, has seen more of its sales shift online during the coronavirus...…Key Points is turning four of its stores into laboratories that test ways to turn the retailer's huge physical footprint into a more powerful edge for e-commerce.The big-box giant said Thursday that it's designating two stores near its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and two others that will be announced later. It said the stores and their employees will try out approaches that better blend the brick-and-mortar and digital sides of the business and improve the experience for customers.Walmart, like other retailers, has seen more of its sales shift online during the coronavirus...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleMonths before the began, ordered merchandise for the holiday season. It decided to carry items that shoppers might not expect in its stores or on its website: exercise equipment, bamboo bedding, air fryers, movie projectors and battery-powered scooters.The home improvement retailer said Tuesday that it will kick off its holiday deals later this week. It revealed its broader mix of merchandise, aimed at making home feel cozy, festive and fun during a celebratory season disrupted by a pandemic and recession.Its bet on new categories could come at a fortunate time....…Key PointsIn this articleMonths before the began, ordered merchandise for the holiday season. It decided to carry items that shoppers might not expect in its stores or on its website: exercise equipment, bamboo bedding, air fryers, movie projectors and battery-powered scooters.The home improvement retailer said Tuesday that it will kick off its holiday deals later this week. It revealed its broader mix of merchandise, aimed at making home feel cozy, festive and fun during a celebratory season disrupted by a pandemic and recession.Its bet on new categories could come at a fortunate time....WW…

Key PointsIn this article said Thursday that holiday hiring will be in line with last year, but it is rethinking its approach to roles for those workers to adapt to customers' new shopping habits during the coronavirus pandemic.Twice as many Target employees will be dedicated to same-day curbside and in-store pickup of online purchases compared with the first half of the year. Distribution centers will have more workers than last holiday season to make sure stores don't run out of popular items. Some workers will focus on safety and cleaning. And across stores, employees will be...…Key PointsIn this article said Thursday that holiday hiring will be in line with last year, but it is rethinking its approach to roles for those workers to adapt to customers' new shopping habits during the coronavirus pandemic.Twice as many Target employees will be dedicated to same-day curbside and in-store pickup of online purchases compared with the first half of the year. Distribution centers will have more workers than last holiday season to make sure stores don't run out of popular items. Some workers will focus on safety and cleaning. And across stores, employees will be...WW…

Key PointsWalmart says it's teaming up with Microsoft for TikTok bid said Thursday that it's teaming up with in a bid for TikTok.The retail giant confirmed to CNBC that it's interested in buying the popular short-form video application.Walmart shares hit a 52-week high of $139.35 on Thursday. At the close, they were up nearly 5% to $136.63, bringing the company's market cap to almost $387 billion.TikTok's , ByteDance, is nearing an agreement to sell its U.S., Canadian, Australian and New Zealand operations in a deal that's likely to be in the $20 billion to $30 billion range,...…Key PointsWalmart says it's teaming up with Microsoft for TikTok bid said Thursday that it's teaming up with in a bid for TikTok.The retail giant confirmed to CNBC that it's interested in buying the popular short-form video application.Walmart shares hit a 52-week high of $139.35 on Thursday. At the close, they were up nearly 5% to $136.63, bringing the company's market cap to almost $387 billion.TikTok's , ByteDance, is nearing an agreement to sell its U.S., Canadian, Australian and New Zealand operations in a deal that's likely to be in the $20 billion to $30 billion range,...WW…

Key PointsIn this article wants to give shoppers another reason to skip trips to the mall: It's adding mini stores to some locations, with more space devoted to iPhones and other popular gadgets.The retailer said Thursday that the shops will open in 17 Target stores this month, and it plans to expand to more locations in the fall. Target already sells Apple merchandise, but the shops will double the tech company's footprint inside of each store, include more accessories and have staff with specialized training from Apple. The brand's products have , too.Target Chief Growth Officer Christina...…Key PointsIn this article wants to give shoppers another reason to skip trips to the mall: It's adding mini stores to some locations, with more space devoted to iPhones and other popular gadgets.The retailer said Thursday that the shops will open in 17 Target stores this month, and it plans to expand to more locations in the fall. Target already sells Apple merchandise, but the shops will double the tech company's footprint inside of each store, include more accessories and have staff with specialized training from Apple. The brand's products have , too.Target Chief Growth Officer Christina...WW…