For this week's keep reinventing segment brought to you by HP we are taking a look at a new bike share player in the space. Zagster recently closed a $15 million round of funding, which it plans to use to expand its dockless program to new cities. The company's CEO Timothy Ericson explains how he is taking a conservative approach to the expansion efforts.
"Right now we are really focusing on bring our bikeshare program Pace to communities who are willing to invest in bikesharing in the right way," says Ericson. "This allows riders to pick up and drop off bikes anywhere in the city."
Ericson says Zagster works directly with communities to roll out its program, and integrate it with the transit program. Zagster partners include Princeton University, City of Rochester, and Roanoke.
U.S. markets were open for an abbreviated session on the day after Thanksgiving, and the day saw a market meltdown. The Dow dropped more than 900 points for its worst day of the year. Matt Orton, Chief Market Strategist at Carillon Tower Advisers, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Amazon employees in 20 countries will strike or protest on Black Friday for better working conditions as part of global 'Make Amazon Pay' campaign. Áine Cain, Senior Retail Reporter, Insider, joins Cheddar News to discuss workers' demands, the impact the strike is having on Amazon, and plans for the retail giant to respond.
At least 31 percent of shoppers said they would be shopping on Black Friday in 2021 compared to 24 percent in 2020, according to a survey by professional services company Deloitte. Jenna Pogorzelski, Deloitte retail leader, joined Cheddar to break down the numbers and discuss the optimism expressed by the survey results despite ongoing retail hurdles such as the pandemic, inflation, and supply chain constraints. "We have updated data that consumers are a little less concerned than last year heading into stores," she said.
Supply and shipping challenges are creating concerns for retailers this holiday season, but Cheddar's Michelle Castillo found shoppers spending anyway this Black Friday. She reports from the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, N.J.
