• The Charlotte News & Observer reports that Kroger-owned Harris Teeter "will begin charging service fees and is adding incentives to its subscription plan for pickup and delivery orders."
According to the story, Harris Teeter "said on its website Thursday it is offering the service for its ExpressLane Online Shopping for pickup and delivery orders … There are two subscription services available. An annual ExpressLane subscription costs $99.95. It includes double fuel points, 5% off Harris Teeter brand items, no minimum order fee, $4.95 delivery fee and other discounts. A monthly ExpressLane subscription costs $16.95 and includes double fuel points, 5% off Harris Teeter brand items and no minimum order fee."
"Harris Teeter also has a new fee structure for pickup and delivery orders based on the total amount of purchases. The minimum order is $25 … The fee starts at $4.95 for orders up to $49.99, $2.95 for orders $50 to $99.99, and there is no fee for orders over $100."
• Amazon this morning announced a "continued investment in the metro Detroit area with five new buildings to support operations closer to customers. The sites are expected to create more than 2,000 permanent full- and part-time jobs with a minimum $15 per hour wage and comprehensive benefits starting on the employee’s first day."
The announcement went on: "As Amazon grows in Detroit, it is committed to contributing in a variety of ways to the local community where our teams live and work, including by supporting food banks with monetary contributions and delivery services, funding computer science education for underserved and underrepresented students, and providing in-kind donations to meet immediate and basic needs. Most recently, Amazon donated $100,000 to the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to help the district enhance its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs and expand its resources. Beyond the donation, Amazon plans to support the school’s STEM programs with hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities in the coming year."
