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Is a higher minimum wage worth job losses?
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhile the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour has remained unchanged since 2009, 21 states have changed their minimum wage laws since January 2014, according to the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, 41 localities have adopted minimum wages above their state minimum wage.
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Small businesses closely watching Supreme Court sales tax case
Shawn Smajstrla RetailThe Supreme Court has yet to rule on South Dakota v. Wayfair — a case that effectively determines how retailers collect sales tax on internet purchases — but most small business owners supporting the current policy probably felt good about the proceedings in Tuesday's oral arguments.
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How will Chinese tariffs affect manufacturing?
Delany Martinez ManufacturingIt's often said that in war, there are no winners — and in trade wars, that axiom tends to ring particularly true. In an escalation that leaves manufacturers caught in an unenviable position, the administration's struggles with China are starting to lap at the edges of the loading dock.
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Will CVS’s new Rx Savings Finder help reduce costs?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalAfter working nearly 25 years in retail and about seven years doing in-depth formulary analysis, I've learned one about prescription insurance: copays are confusing. CVS pharmacy hopes to reduce this confusion somewhat by introducing a new "Rx Savings Finder" tool to help pharmacists help their patients find a better deal.
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What spa clients are thinking but not always willing to say
Elizabeth Donat RetailHave you ever gotten the feeling that your client had a "just OK" experience instead of a "wow" experience at your spa? Was there something on their mind that they left without saying? Was an interaction between esthetician and client quite awkward or abrupt?
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Negotiating commercial leases: Give the loser one last chance
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.
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Trade tensions: China, US dispute over tariffs grows
Seth Sandronsky ManufacturingWith $50 billion in tariffs already on the way, President Donald Trump on April 5 directed the U.S Trade Representative to explore placing an additional $100 billion of tariffs on Chinese goods entering the U.S. The threat of higher prices on Chinese exports to the U.S. (and the expected retaliation from China) shook financial markets on Thursday and Friday.
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How would a Target-Kroger merger affect the grocery industry?
Bambi Majumdar RetailWhat do you when you face Goliath and the path ahead looks tough? You make peace with your rivals, and that is precisely what Kroger and Target seem to be doing. As Amazon tightens its hold on the grocery industry, big names that once led the grocery wars are struggling. The only ones who have deftly used resources to keep ahead of the curve are Walmart and Costco.
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Customer engagement: How to get your employees to buy in
Elizabeth Donat RetailIf you own or manage a business in the service industry, then this topic applies to you. If you would like to have employees who perform at their highest degree of productivity along with loyal customers driving sales and revenue, then read these expert tips today.
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Trump trade-off: China imposes tariffs on US goods
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentThe world's two largest economies are not feeling the love on trade. China imposed $3 billion of tariffs on a range of U.S. goods on Monday. The bottom line on the impact is straightforward: tariffs hike prices for businesses and consumers in both nations.
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