BUSINESS

Target and Ulta Beauty's retail partnership will officially end in August 2026 after staff exposed crippling theft of up to $10k a month, chronic understaffing, and a lacklustre shopping experience.

Michael Fiddelke, Target's COO and longtime executive, has been named CEO after two decades at the retailer. He succeeds Brian Cornell as the company tackles falling sales, weaker traffic and increasing competition.

AT&T is cutting costs by £2.4 billion, forcing managers to relocate to six offices or face losing their jobs.

Viking Therapeutics shares plunged 40% after trial data for its obesity pill, VK2735, revealed high dropout rates due to side effects, raising doubts about its competitiveness against rivals Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Mercury Insurance has filed for a 6.9% rate hike in California under a new wildfire modelling law, sparking outrage as residents face soaring premiums amid a deepening insurance crisis.

Tesla's UK sales plunged nearly 60% in July, slashing market share to 0.7% as Chinese rivals like BYD surged. Discounts and energy ventures may not be enough.

Digital bank Monzo is preparing to enter the UK's mobile market, signalling a major shift that could pressure established telecoms providers.

A Chick-fil-A in Kettering, Ohio, has enforced a Teen Chaperone Policy requiring anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult, echoing McDonald's Brooklyn teen dining ban. The move has divided customers online.

Swatch faces criticisms in China after releasing the controversial 'slanted eyes' ad. Despite offering an apology, many consumers still want to boycott it.

MSNBC is changing its name to MS NOW as Comcast spins off cable networks into Versant, ditching the peacock but keeping its editorial stance.

Marvel moves filming from Georgia to the UK; costs and incentives drive decision as Georgia's production count plunges, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has injected $1.6 billion into UnitedHealth Group—buying 5 million shares—signalling confidence in the struggling health insurer amid regulatory scrutiny and a plunging stock price.

Walmart has expanded its longstanding 10 percent employee discount to include nearly all grocery items—such as dairy, meat, dry goods, and seafood—effective immediately, as part of efforts to help staff manage inflation and enhance workforce retention.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has launched the Green Apron Service initiative, aiming to serve customers their order in four minutes or less using smarter staffing, technology, and a return to in‑store hospitality to reclaim its place as the world's premier coffeehouse.

Mounjaro's UK price will rise by 170% in September, prompting interest in cheaper alternatives like semaglutide for weight loss.

Eli Lilly will raise UK private prices for Mounjaro by up to 170 percent from September 2025, with the highest dose set to cost £330 monthly while NHS prices stay unchanged.

AriZona Iced Tea's iconic 99¢ Big Can may face its first price rise in 30 years as US aluminium tariffs double — founder Don Vultaggio vows to hold the line, but warns change may be inevitable.