AP Spotlight Value-seekers drove 2024's retail trends and dead ends By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO and DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writers Jan 1, 2025 Jan 1, 2025 Updated Jul 5, 2025 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Value was in vogue in 2024.kAm$9@AA6CD 2?5 C6DE2FC2?E A2EC@?D :? E96 &]$] H6C6 49@@DJ 23@FE H96C6 2?5 9@H E@ DA6?5 E96:C >@?6J 2D E96J HC6DE=65 H:E9 9:89 9@FD:?8 2?5 7@@5 AC:46D]k^AmkAm(6==\966=65 4FDE@>6CD EC2565 5@H? E@ (2=>2CE 2?5 p=5:] s:?6CD @AE65 7@C 72DE 7@@5 @C 9@>6 4@@<:?8 :?DE625 @7 D:E\5@H? 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Justin Fairfax fatally shot wife before taking own life, police say Why Franklin County increased its real estate tax by 4 cents Osprey races, Earth Day cleanup set for Smith Mountain Lake State Park Pentagon fired US Navy Secretary John Phelan, source says After fall: Justin Fairfax's 'profound retreat' from family kAm%9@D6 D9:7ED 492?865 E96 3FJ:?8 2?5 62E:?8 =2?5D42A6 :? a_ac] pD @7 s64] a_[ r@C6D:89E #6D62C49 EC24<65 cg C6E2:= 32?<CFAE4:6D :? E96 &]$][ 4@>A2C65 H:E9 ad 5FC:?8 E96 D2>6 A6C:@5 2 J62C 28@] p?5 2E =62DE aa C6DE2FC2?E 492:?D 7:=65 7@C 32?<CFAE4J E9:D J62C[ E96 9:896DE ?F>36C D:?46 a_a_[ 244@C5:?8 E@ q2?<CFAE4Js2E2[ 2 4@>A2?J E92E EC24<D 7:=:?8D]k^AmkAmw6C6 2C6 D@>6 @7 E96 EC6?5D – 2?5 5625 6?5D – E92E %96 pDD@4:2E65 !C6DD EC24<65 :? a_acik^Amk9am(x}}t#$ik^9am kAmkDEC@?8m(p{|p#%k^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm%96 ?2E:@?VD =2C86DE C6E2:=6C EJA:42==J D9:?6D 5FC:?8 E@F89 E:>6D 2D D9@AA6CD EFC? 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Meta has joined a growing list of companies that are pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Here's a look at some others. Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. JCPenney is trying to reinvent itself again. Will it work this time? JCPenney weathered a bankruptcy, store closings and a Silicon Valley CEO — all followed by revenue declines. Now, the 123-year-old company is … Watch Now: Related Video Unable to play video AP top stories April 25 AP Top Stories April 24 AP Top Stories April 24 AP Top Stories April 23 AP Top Stories April 23 AP top stories April 22 AP AP top stories April 22
Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives? Meta has joined a growing list of companies that are pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Here's a look at some others.
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something.Â
JCPenney is trying to reinvent itself again. Will it work this time? JCPenney weathered a bankruptcy, store closings and a Silicon Valley CEO — all followed by revenue declines. Now, the 123-year-old company is …