Corporate Social Responsibility
Facebook Employees to Work from Home Until July 2021
Facebook is allowing its employees to work from home until July 2021 due to the pandemic and will also be giving them $1,000 for work-at-home needs, says an article in Reuters.
“Based on guidance from health and government experts, as well as decisions drawn from our internal discussions about these matters, we are allowing employees to continue voluntarily working from home until July 2021,” says a Facebook spokeswoman.
Technology
Aldi Is Wise to Invest in Amazon Go Style Checkout-Free Technology
According to Forbes, Aldi is planning to enter the checkout-free retail industry, with its technological call mentioning “tech startups specializing in computer vision and artificial intelligence.” These technologies are also the same ones that go into Amazon Go.
According to a Charged Retail article, “The German (Aldi Süd, the subsidiary of the German discounter which trades in the UK) has reached out to potential collaborators on a new English-language website, asking entrepreneurs with test-ready solutions to register and introduce their companies and product. It has specifically requested companies who have developed technology which will enable the automatic recognition of products, either through cameras in store, in shopping carts, or via users’ smartphones.”
News
UPS Plans Hefty Holiday Fees Amid Coronavirus-Related Shipment Surge
The Wall Street Journal reports that UPS plans to give large shippers hefty fees during the upcoming holiday season. UPS said costs could total as much as $3 a package for ground shipments and $4 for those going to residences.
“These surcharges help protect our network and ensure UPS is compensated appropriately for additional costs incurred to maintain our high-quality service,” according to the document viewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Loyalty Programs
United Extends Status and Gives Free Lounge Access to Top Tier Elite Loyalty Members
United Airlines extended the status of its MileagePlus program for its ultra-premium members, according to a Forbes article. The brand emailed members of its invite-only Global Services program to inform them their status was extended until 2022. United has also given members complimentary access to its airport lounges. Global Services and 1K members usually only have access to these when flying on international itineraries.
“It’s clear that basing your 2021 Global Services program invitation off of your travel activity this year wouldn’t fairly reward your loyalty to United,” says Luc Bondar, VP of loyalty and marketing at United, to passengers in an email.
Innovation
MGM, Desperate for Cash, Launches “Work from Vegas” Program
TheRealDeal reports that MGM is launching a “Work from Vegas” program. After posting a $1 billion loss in its last quarter, MGM is offering multiple business packages at the Bellagio and Aria resorts. The cheapest five-day stay starts at around $100 a night, going up to about $400 a night for the highest tier.
“It’s a well-trained person who has taken care of thousands of guests and requests before, so they are hyper-experienced and ready to bring you some hospitality,” says Atif Rafiq, president of commercial and growth at MGM Resorts. “I’m not sure we’ll get you a unicorn request at two in the morning, but we’ll obviously try our best.”