USA Today
Forget Miami Beach. On Saturday Hawaii saw the busiest day of tourism than the state has seen since the start of the pandemic.The Hawaii Tourism Authority noted that about 18,700 travelers were flying on Saturday for vacation or pleasure. Hawaii wasn’t the only hot spot. The Transportation Security Administration said Friday was its busiest screening day since March 15, 2020, with nearly 1.36 million people going through airport checkpoints throughout the United States.
The New York Times
Steven Spurrier, an Englishman and Parisian wine shop owner, who in 1976 set up a blind tasting of 20 California and French wines for nine French judges, including some of the top names in the French wine and food establishment, has died. The so-called Judgment of Paris “gave the California wine industry a much-needed boost, lending its vintners international credibility at a time when they were searching for critical approval and public acceptance,” per The New York Times. “Marketers used the tasting to sell California wines all over the world.”
Nation's Restaurant News
Starbucks Corp. is planning to offer large-print and Braille menus to all of its restaurants across the United States and Canada starting this summer. The coffee giant also has introduced Aira, which allows blind guests to connect live to interpreters. The service was tested in seven cities earlier this year. “Starbucks’ Accessibility Office also is working with organizations such as the World Institute on Disability to make its stores, and its app, more accessible to disabled customers and employees,” per Nation’s Restaurant News.
USA Today
Crafting supplies have been in hot demand during the pandemic, and Target is taking advantage by launching its own arts and crafts brand, Mondo Llama. It is now available online at Target.com and the chain's mobile app and will roll out to stores nationwide by March 28, company officials shared exclusively with USA Today. Consumers of all ages and levels of creative ability are using Pinterest as inspiration, per Target.
USA Today
A JetBlue passenger who interfered with flight attendants after being instructed to put on his face mask and to stop drinking alcohol he brought on the plane could face a $14,500 penalty, per the Federal Aviation Administration. “Ultimately, due to his actions, the plane was forced to turn around and return to its airport of origin," per USA Today. "The passenger crowded the traveler sitting next to him, spoke loudly, and refused to wear his face mask, the FAA alleges.”
CNN.com
Ikea has done away with its huge paper catalog, a move previously announced last year, and instead is offering a four-hour audio version as a "handy and hands-free" alternative. "We know that by now, you've probably binged through every possible podcast, audiobook and 'Best of 2020' playlist there is, so maybe you could use some new soothing sounds to put on while we all continue for normal life to get back to ... normal," the narrator says in the podcast. The audiobook is available on YouTube, Spotify and Audiobooks.com for free.
Complex
Nike CEO John Donahoe said the resignation of former vice president Ann Hebert "sparked questions" about whether customers can trust Nike around product launches. The resignation came just days after Bloomberg Businessweek published a story about the sneaker resale business run by her 19-year-old son, Joe, raising questions of nepotism and unfairness around limited sneaker launches. “Part of the way Nike plans to rectify this, the CEO said, is to do an audit of its launch process to ensure consumers have confidence in the way it releases limited-edition sneakers,” per Complex.
Chicago Tribune
Ulta Chief Executive Officer Mary Dillon is stepping down in June after eight years at the beauty retailer. Dillon will become executive chair of the board of directors and will be succeeded by company president Dave Kimbell as CEO. The company has grown rapidly under Dillon’s leadership, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Car and Driver
Research counters a popular perception that Tesla owners are all fans of Elon Musk, the automaker’s founder and chief executive. Most say they bought one of the electric vehicles because they like the cars, per Escalent. While some of what Tesla owners said about Musk in the survey was negative—largely related to views he has expressed on Twitter—they felt his contributions to the firm and to their cars outweighed those negatives. A majority of non-owners viewed him as a negative.
USA Today
Perrier is launching a carbonated energy drink. Perrier Energize comes in three flavors, grapefruit, pomegranate and tangerine, and has about as much caffeine as an 8 oz cup of coffee. According to Perrier's website, that kick comes from organic green coffee and yerba mate extracts. Competitors include Coca-Cola with Coffee and Bubly, the water brand owned by Pepsi, which also recently announced its release of a caffeinated beverage.