Bold Week: Anheuser-Busch – The ginormous brewer is reportedly considering withdrawing its sponsorship of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade this year to protest the organizers’ exclusion of a gay veterans group. New England-based grocery chain Stop & Shop withdrew its support earlier this week. This is akin to air withdrawing its sponsorship of breathing. #thisbudsforeveryone
Bad Week: General Motors – The largest U.S. automaker will lay off approximately 1,100 workers in May as it shifts production of the GMC Arcadia SUV from Michigan to Tennessee.
Worse Week: Staples – After reporting a $548M loss and a 3% drop in sales in the quarter that ended in January, the office supply mega-chain announced it will close 70 of its 1,600 stores. More woes in the retail world: RadioShack this week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in just over two years and is in the process of closing 200 of its 1,300 stores.
