WANTED: TRUCK DRIVERS - Gas stations are running out of gas ahead of the holiday weekend at CNN. "Right now the outages are scattered across the country, said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for the Oil Price Information Service, which tracks prices for AAA. He said there have been outages reported in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Colorado and Iowa. There are also outages reported in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, said Patrick DeHaan, spokesperson for GasBuddy." Read more   An Opioid Case Like No Other: N.Y. vs. the Entire Supply Chain at NY Times. "The New York [...]

  US economy up 6.4% in Q1 with stronger future gains expected at AP. "Consumer spending...grew at a sizzling annual rate of 11.4% in first three months of the year...Business investment grew at a strong 11.7% rate..." Read more   Prime Day 2021 was the biggest two-day period ever for Amazon’s third party sellers "Top-selling products worldwide for Prime Day 2021 included iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum, Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker, Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Vitamins by Goli Nutrition, and Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips." Press release   Amazon’s Prime Day results were more muted than usual this year [...]

  A Covid-era lease break for retailers looks set to become industry standard at CNBC. "Once-temporary rent breaks for retailers are expected to become the new standard among landlords, even after pandemic restrictions end and shopping rebounds, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday." Read more | WSJ subs.   The Amazon that customers don’t see: Inside a key warehouse during the pandemic at NY Times via Seattle Times. "Last September, Ann Castillo saw an email from Amazon that made no sense. Her husband had worked for the company for five years...Now it wanted him back on the night shift. “We notified [...]

  Grocery Courier Boxed to Go Public in SPAC Deal at Wall Street Journal. "Boxed and Seven Oaks Acquisition Corp. said the deal would value the combined company at nearly $900 million and provide money to serve more households and businesses that started ordering groceries online during the pandemic...Boxed isn’t profitable, Mr. Huang said, but Boxed and Seven Oaks projected that its software, advertising and delivery businesses would help it turn a profit within several years." WSJ subs.   Home Depot contracted its own container ship as a safeguard at CNBC. "We have a ship that’s solely going to be [...]

  Amazon’s ‘Prime Day Show’ will feature Billie Eilish, H.E.R. and Kid Cudi in streaming musical event at GeekWire. "...will premiere globally on Prime Video starting June 17. The event will be available to all customers for 30 days, with or without a Prime membership." Read more   Lululemon first-quarter sales rise 88%, topping estimates at CNBC. "Lululemon’s direct-to-consumer revenue climbed 55% to $545.1 million year over year. Sales in North America were up 82% and increased 125% internationally." Read more   Walmart gives 740,000 associates a free Samsung smartphone at CNN. "Walmart said the primary use of the phone [...]

  Amazon Prime Day will take place June 21 and 22 Press release   Largest meat producer getting back online after cyberattack at AP. "If it were to shut down for even one day, the U.S. would lose almost a quarter of its beef-processing capacity, or the equivalent of 20,000 beef cows, according to Trey Malone, an assistant professor of agriculture at Michigan State University." Read more   Amazon Faced 75,000 Arbitration Demands. Now It Says: Fine, Sue Us at Wall Street Journal. "Companies have spent more than a decade forcing employees and customers to resolve disputes outside the traditional [...]