Business

London (CNN Business) Champagne houses are celebrating after sales and exports set new records last year even as pandemic lockdowns forced many bars and restaurants to close. Comité Champagne, a trade association representing more than 16,000 winegrowers and 320 Champagne houses, said Wednesday that France exported a record 180 million bottles of bubbly in 2021, an increase of 38% over the previous year. Global sales of champagne also hit a record €5.5 billion ($6.2 billion). Comité Champagne said that total shipments rose 32% over the previous year to 322 million bottles as people found reasons to celebrate at home. "With tourism and the staging of events still reduced due to the health crisis, there is room to believe that home consumption has taken up the slack," the trade group said in a statement. Read More "Consumers have chosen to entertain themselves at home, compensating for the generally gloomy mood with new moments of … [Read more...] about The world bought more champagne than ever last year

New York (CNN Business) If the thought of using a slice of bologna as a moisturizing face mask was tempting, you're out of luck — for now. Oscar Mayer's bologna-inspired face mask sold out less than a day after its release on Amazon . Kraft Heinz blamed the shortage on "unexpected incredibly high demand" and said in a statement that the product would be restocked "over the coming days." It's the number one new release in Amazon's beauty and personal care section. The new product isn't actually a slimy piece of meat. Rather, Kraft Heinz ( KHC ) partnered with Seoul Mamas, a Korean skin care company, to create a "hydrating and restoring hydrogel" mask that promotes skin elasticity, improves hydration and moisture retention. (Oddly, those are not among the typical side benefits associated with ingesting the sodium-filled deli meat.) But the tan-colored masks are not actually edible. There's a large warning on the packaging that says "do not eat … [Read more...] about Oscar Mayer’s bologna face mask quickly sells out

New York (CNN Business) Relief from record high auto prices could be coming soon. But that doesn't mean those prices will go back to where they were before the pandemic. A shortage of necessary parts — primarily computer chips — limited production of new vehicles around the globe. That left car dealers short of supply to meet demand, allowing them to charge a premium for the cars they had available. The average transaction price for a new car was $46,426 in December 2021, according to Edmunds, up $5,850 — or 14% — from a year prior. That increase was primarily due to customers paying more than the listed sticker price — an average of $700 above what manufacturers' were recommending. In December 2020, car buyers paid an average of $2,550 below the sticker price, close to the typical discount buyers traditionally pay. Used car prices ended the year with an average price of nearly $30,000, up about $6,800 — or 29% — from a year earlier. … [Read more...] about Why car prices remain so stubbornly high

0 Business As unemployment remains high across Montana, many local companies are still hiring. Job News , Patch Staff Posted Reply MISSOULA, MT — While unemployment remains high following the pandemic, don't let that deter you. Whether you're looking for full-time or part-time work, we've got you covered. Each week, Patch and ZipRecruiter compile a list of the latest local jobs posted in the region. Here are some of the top jobs currently available in Missoula and across greater Montana: Editor's note: This list was automatically generated using data compiled by ZipRecruiter . Please report any errors or other feedback to [email protected] . Customer Service | Registered Client Associate D.A. Davidson Companies , Missoula, MT Registered Client Associate * * Job Tracking ID : 85444-336280 * Job Location : Missoula, MT * Job Level : Any * Level of Education : Any * * Job Type : Full-Time/Regular * Date … [Read more...] about Who’s Hiring In The Missoula Area? Browse New Local Jobs

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — John Dougherty’s reign at the top of IBEW Local 98 is now over. On Tuesday, the longtime labor leader announced that he has resigned as the business manager of IBEW Local 98 after he was convicted in his bribery and corruption trial that lasted six weeks. Dougherty was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and seven counts of honest services wire fraud on Monday. READ MORE: Philadelphia Weather: Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Delaware Valley As Rain Transitions Into Snow “I made this difficult but necessary decision to resign as business manager to protect the integrity of this union that has been my life’s work and passion,” Dougherty said in a statement. “Although I am stepping down, Local 98 is in an incredibly strong position, financially and otherwise. In 98’s most recent LM-2 filing, we were deemed to be the most financially successful IBEW Local in the country in assets vs. liabilities. We are among the … [Read more...] about John Dougherty Resigns As Business Manager Of IBEW Local 98 Following Corruption Conviction

4 Business With Supreme Court ruling, Starbucks, General Electric and Amtrak are among companies ending vaccine and testing requirements. Beth Dalbey , Patch Staff Posted Replies ACROSS AMERICA — Starbucks will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations of its 228,000 workers at 9,000 U.S. coffee shops, the company said this week. Starbucks is one of the first big companies to change vaccination policies after the U.S. Supreme Court quashed vaccine mandates that would have affected about 84 million workers, or about half of the U.S. labor force. Had the mandate been allowed to stand, they would have had to either get fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. The court's Jan.13 6-3 ruling came as the omicron coronavirus variant was driving a surge in COVID-19 infections. Nothing in the Supreme Court ruling , which allows the Biden administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most U.S. health care workers, … [Read more...] about Starbucks, Other Big Companies Suspend Vaccine, Test Requirements