Morning Brew
Unilever worked with ad agency Wunderman Thompson on the product "for people with visual impairment and upper limb disabilities,” which is still in beta. Degree Inclusive includes a hooked cap for one-handed usage, magnetic closures that make it easier to take the cap on and off and a Braille label with instructions. “Degree says it partnered with occupational therapists, engineers, consultants, and people living with disabilities to bring the prototype to life,” per Morning Brew.
The Wall Street Journal
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently cleared over-the-counter sales of two rapid at-home screening tests from Abbott Laboratories and Quidel Corp. and the tests will be available soon at major drugstores and retailers like Walmart. Yet it appears the tests will cost consumers at least $20 for a pack of two, which some health experts say is probably too pricey for frequent use. Major pharmacies said they plan to sell a two-pack of Abbott’s test for nearly $24, while Walmart says it will charge just under $20.
Chain Store Age
Yeti is offering augmented reality and 3D visualizations to help online shoppers engage with more than 50 products, including viewing 3D products from every angle to get a visual sense of dimensions. The tools are available for the brand’s signature hard coolers as well as a recently launched premium bag collection that includes backpacks, duffels and soft luggage. A customer “considering a bag can place the piece on a table or in the trunk to gauge dimensions and specs, as well as closely examine the fabric and evaluate features like access points and stash pockets based on their need for …
The Verge
Lyft is selling its autonomous vehicle division to Woven Planet Holdings, a subsidiary of Toyota, for $550 million in cash. “The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021, brings to an end Lyft’s four-year journey toward developing and deploying its own self-driving cars,” per The Verge. “The company follows its rival Uber in off-loading its costly autonomous vehicle division in a bid to stop losing so much money. Last year, Uber sold its AV project to Aurora, a startup founded by the former head of Google’s self-driving project.”
The New York Times
Alaska Airlines has suspended State Senator Lora Reinbold from flying because she refused to comply with federally mandated mask rules. The lawmaker, a Republican state senator, was captured on video arguing with employees at Juneau International Airport about the airline’s mask rules, according to footage posted on Twitter. Without flying, the trip from the Anchorage area to Juneau takes more than 19 hours.
USA Today
California water officials are telling Nestlé to "cease and desist" taking the millions of gallons of water it pipes out of the San Bernardino National Forest to sell as Arrowhead brand bottled water. “The order, which must be approved by the California Water Resources Control Board, caps years of regulatory probes and a public outcry over the company’s water pipeline in the San Bernardino Mountains, where opponents argue that siphoning away water harms spring-fed Strawberry Creek and the wildlife that depends on it,” per The Palm Springs Desert Sun.
USA Today
Honda is aiming to sell only electric vehicles in North America by 2040. “The Japanese automaker called it a goal, not a commitment, echoing similar language used by its competitors as they leave open the possibility of selling conventional cars for longer,” per USA Today. “But the move further signals that the future of the gas engine is looking murkier as automakers embrace EVs. Jaguar, Volvo and General Motors recently also announced plans to phase out gas vehicles by 2025, 2030 and 2035, respectively.”
The Wall Street Journal
A $30 million New York City tourism campaign launching in June is being funded with federal stimulus money. The effort dwarfs any similar promotion in recent memory. In typical years, the tourism advertising budget is $3 million, Fred Dixon, president and chief executive officer of NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism organization. tells The Wall Street Journal. The city’s hotel occupancy reached 52% for the week that ended April 10, per STR. A month earlier, the weekly figure stood at 47%. But before the pandemic, weekly occupancy levels could easily surpass 85%.
Boston Globe
Brazilian model and entertainer Gisele Bundchen is joining DraftKings, a sports betting company, as a special adviser for environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Bundchen is one of several celebrities to receive special advising roles at DraftKings, including baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., and NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who both have equity in the company, per the Boston Globe.
Sourcing Journal
Levi Strauss & Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh explained the importance of using his platform for good to shareholders who questioned his vocal position on political and societal issues. The questions followed a televised interview earlier this month in which he criticized Georgia’s new voting laws and explained how Levi’s is working with legislators to ensure they aren’t passed in other states. In an email to employees following Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the killing of George Floyd, he reiterated his plan to lend his voice to advocate for change.