News•Mar 10, 2026
‘Shrink’ Is Down at Target to Pre-Pandemic Levels and Could Signal an End Shoplifting Spree that Plagued Retailers
Target reported that its inventory shrink has returned to pre‑pandemic levels, reversing a spike that cost the retailer $600 million in 2022. The CFO credited improved inventory predictability and industry anti‑theft efforts for the decline. While shoplifting received most of the media attention, analysts say excess pandemic‑era stock also fueled shrink. Target entered 2026 with healthier margins, but sales and profit pressures persist as it rolls out new stores.
By The Independent — Personal Finance
News•Mar 10, 2026
Flying with Kids Is a Seating Gamble. Should U.S. Airlines Fix It?
Southwest’s shift to assigned seating in January 2026 spotlights a broader U.S. airline dilemma of keeping families together. Parents now must pay extra for adjacent seats or gamble on random allocation, and even purchased seats can be reassigned after last‑minute...
By The Independent — Personal Finance