Friday’s business headlines
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Here’s a look at Friday’s business headlines.
Chase
The Bank JPMorgan Chase is launching a new health care business.
The goal is to improve the quality of medical care for the bank’s 165,000 U.S. employees and their families.
The new unit will also have $250 million to make venture investments in companies with “promising healthcare solutions.”
Google is opening its first physical retail store in New York City this summer.
It will have Google products like Pixel phones and Fitbit devices.
The Google store will also have its own experts on hand to help troubleshoot issues with Google products and host how-to demonstrations.
Panera
Panera, the sandwich and bakery chain, is following its peers with a pandemic-induced redesign that doubles down on digital ordering and drive-thrus.
Computerized menus are replacing low-tech menu boards and the locations are adding more options for contactless ordering throughout kiosks and the Panera app.
The company said 85% of its business over the past year has come from apps or third-party services.
Norwegian Cruise lines
Norwegian Cruise lines has resumed ticket sales for Alaska cruises.
The cruise liner listed a number of Alaskan cruises on its website slated for August, September and October with voyages sailing non-stop from Seattle to Ketchikan.
Alaska-bound cruises were put on pause when Canada prohibited large ships from entering until next year amid the pandemic.
But Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act that would temporarily allow cruise ships to bypass Canadian ports.