Today is Monday (July 11) and of course, it’s National 7-Eleven Day — how clever to name a brand after a random day. This year is 7-Eleven’s 95th birthday (!) so free Slurpees are on tap just about everywhere — but only through its 7Rewards loyalty program. Customers also get an exclusive Slurpee Day cup, refillable for a buck, and the first shot at trying a limited-time mystery flavor.
Elon Musk just keeps on giving, with Twitter saddling up with legal top guns, his mom Maye Musk weighing in about why the U.S. would be better off with a female president, and news of his 10 children and three ex-wives. And that was over the weekend. Here’s what else should be on your radar this morning.
Airline Probe. An investigation into 20 airlines regarding pandemic refunds to customers is now 50% complete, and the U.S. Transportation Department anticipates enforcement action in the coming weeks. Passenger and consumer rights is another area the agency plans to enforce. READ MORE
Deal Appeal. While Walmart+ Weekend and Prime Day seem to bring similar appeal to consumers, PYMNTS data shows different trends. In the report “Walmart+ Weekend: Prime Rival Or Trip To The Grocery Store?,” members of Walmart+ and Amazon Prime were surveyed about the reasons for joining either or both programs. READ MORE
Crypto Togetherness. Chainalysis CEO Michael Gronager told PYMNTS’ Karen Webster that the first time he saw a crypto crash, the price of bitcoin fell from $30 to $2 — but this time, value drops are different. He said crypto began in the wake of the Great Recession of 2007-2008, but now the entire world is in an economic crisis. Gronager said the crypto industry should come together as a community, as it has done before. READ MORE
Small Grocer Edge. John Ross, president and CEO at IGA (the Independent Grocers Alliance), spoke with PYMNTS’ Karen Webster about the threat posed by cross-vertical mega-retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and Target. While the struggle is real, independents have several benefits over big rivals when it comes to some food supply chain challenges — like buying from local farms and local producers, usually at a better price and higher quality. READ MORE
ICYMI. The environmental impact of fast fashion is being called to the carpet in the European Union where a bill proposed in March has prompted brands to make changes. Decathlon, Uniqlo, and H&M are among the labels working with Asian manufacturers to prepare for the upcoming legislation, which wants to get rid of the disposable clothing trends that have led to unsustainable patterns of overproduction and overconsumption. READ MORE
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