Another video trending on YouTube today takes a (gentle) swipe at Whole Foods (and its "little shopping carts"), their clipboard-carrying, Kombucha-yanking employees and cheese-loving shoppers, not to mention Prius drivers, iPhone users and the west coast Cali lifestyle.Continue reading...

TOMS Shoes is ready to kick off the "Shoes" in its brand identity, rebranding with a campaign (which we previewed in March) dubbed "What's Your Next Chapter?" that will be unveiled in a series of events with its partners across the US tomorrow.

The company, founded by Blake Mycoskie in 2006, changed the game of social activism with its "one for one" business model — a pair of shoes is donated for every pair purchased. TOMS quickly made its bandage-style shoes ubiquitous, and proved it's possible to be profitable while impacting the lives of those less fortunate.

More than 1 million pairs of shoes distributed in over 20 countries later, TOMS has proven that social media is the lightning rod for digital activism be it on Facebook, Twitter, guerilla marketing or blogging. Now, Mycoskie is ready to expand beyond TOMS beyond shoes, taking "One for One" to the next level.Continue reading...

American Idol viewers crowned a new winner: Scotty McCreery.

AT&T expands 4G network.

Ashton Kutcher invests in Airbnb, his biggest social investment to date.

Carven, the French fashion brand, mulls possible IPO.

China widens lead in renewable energy ranking.

Diageo reorganizes business units.

DoubleTree by Hilton launches year-long global rebranding.

Facebook's Zuckerberg says movies, TV and music are next social frontiers as site announces music service with Spotify.Continue reading...

Amazon expands into the romance publishing business.

Avon widens internal probe into possible bribery of foreign officials.

Bank of America triples number of mortgage-help centers.

Chevron expands oil-shale play in Pennsylvania.

Denny’s expands presence on college campuses.

Duane Reade launches Facebook contest.

Electronic Arts profit soars as business model shifts.Continue reading...

Chrysler to curb output because of Japan supply shortage.

Coca-Cola 'pips' PepsiCo with PlantBottle roll out in US to coincide with Earth Month.

Dish Network eyes Netflix in wake of acquisition of Blockbuster assets.

Fox News to end Glenn Beck’s show but retain alliance.

GE plans to build largest solar-panel plant in the world.

Google is revamping YouTube.Continue reading...

Today being April Fools Day, brands including Whole Foods and a raft of others are pulling pranks. Does the move humanize the companies that show a sense of humor, or does it just annoy customers and others on a day already rife with silliness?

We checked in with Grant Powell, founder of Pomegranate (POM8), about the foolish activities that go hand in hand with the day.Continue reading...

Happy April Fools' Day! Some of the better branded pranks today, starting with YouTube's 100th anniversary nod to the best viral videos — sorry, "pictures" — a century ago, with a wink to their modern-day inspiration. Also part of the gag: vintage merchandise and a "1911" button (above right) at the bottom of videos today, turning them into silent films with an old-timey scratchy, sepia-toned look.

Below, check out more April Fooling Around from BMW, Ford, Groupon, Ikea, KFC, LinkedIn, Nike, Starbucks, Toshiba, Virgin, Whole Foods, and more — and let us know what you think of it all by commenting on our debate.Continue reading...

The latest step in the evolution of Whole Foods is a very logical one: getting consumers to sit down at an in-house bar for a glass of locally produced wine or craft beer. Now the green grocer won't just sell wine before its thyme — it will pour you a glass and invite you to sit and enjoy it, too.

The Austin, Texas-based leader in natural-foods retailing is testing the concept in more than a dozen U.S. stores before a planned national roll-out. Customers can nurse a glass of locally made Merlot or Chardonnay for up to $10, while growler jugs begin at $6.99.

The premise isn’t a new one – plenty of independent gourmet retailers, such as the Papa Joe’s stores in metro Detroit, dispense alcohol on the premises and even encourage shoppers to graze with a glass of wine in hand. Starbucks is also testing a wine and beer concept in a bid to boost store sales in the evening.

For Whole Foods, the wine-bar experiment is a sensible next step in its continuing efforts to offer shoppers more enticements to stay in the store and soak in their unique aroma, to slow down and enjoy the experience.Continue reading...