The week in business: Recalls, retail woes, and record-setting deals

It’s been one of those weeks where business news managed to cover just about everything: food safety, trade drama, housing weirdness, mall nostalgia, layoffs, and even Taylor Swift’s love life. Some stories hit directly at everyday life—like what’s in your fridge or how much you pay for a house. Others reminded us how fast global policies can change, or how a logo tweak can wipe millions off a company’s market cap.

A few themes cut through the noise: Consumers are holding on to what they’ve got (whether that’s jobs or houses), companies are scrambling to simplify, and global trade still feels as shaky as ever. But there were also signs of experimentation—such as Delta literally letting customers choose its next destination. Oh, and in case you somehow missed it: The biggest celebrity engagement of the year came this week and brought some very big numbers along with it.

Here’s a look back at the week’s biggest business stories.

Eggs Recalled After Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Nearly 100

A salmonella outbreak linked to Country Eggs LLC has infected at least 95 people, most of them in California. The company recalled its “Sunshine Yolks” large brown cage-free eggs, sold in California and Nevada. If you see code CA-7695 with sell-by dates through September 18 in your fridge, toss them or take them back.

Japan Delays Trade Talks With the U.S.

Japan’s top trade negotiator suddenly canceled a Washington trip meant to finalize tariff talks with the Trump administration. The issue? A messy disagreement over whether a new 15% tariff was applied correctly. Until it’s sorted, a promised $550 billion investment deal is on ice.

New Homes Are Now Cheaper Than Old Ones

The housing market has flipped: In June, brand-new homes cost 9% less than existing ones. Builders are cutting prices, shrinking floor plans, and offering incentives like lower mortgage rates. Meanwhile, homeowners with low mortgage rates are holding tight, keeping inventory scarce.

Claire’s to Close Hundreds of Stores

The tween jewelry and accessories chain is shutting down more than 230 Claire’s stores and 56 Icing stores after filing for bankruptcy again. Private equity owners plan to keep around 950 stores running, but mall staples like Claire’s are facing the same struggles as many other once-beloved retailers.

Kroger Cutting 1,000 Corporate Jobs

The grocery giant is laying off nearly 1,000 corporate employees, though store workers won’t be touched. The move follows a failed $25 billion merger with Albertsons and news of 60 store closures. Kroger says it’s all about simplifying operations and reinvesting savings into pricing and growth.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Engagement Is Worth $1.65B

Swift and Kelce’s engagement isn’t just headline-making—it’s billionaire-making. Swift is worth about $1.6 billion, and Kelce around $52 million, for a combined total of $1.65 billion. They’re rich, but still far behind mega-duos like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who sit at $3.38 billion.

Europe Hits Pause on U.S. Shipments Over Tariff Confusion

Postal services in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark have stopped shipping merchandise to the U.S., thanks to confusion over new tariffs. The U.S. ended its “de minimis” exemption, which let packages under $800 enter duty-free. Now, with new 15% tariffs, European postal services say they need more clarity before resuming.

Cracker Barrel’s Logo Backlash Wipes Out $100M in Value

Cracker Barrel’s attempt to modernize its logo—dropping the old-timey “uncle on a barrel” image—went over poorly with fans. Social media called it bland, and investors reacted by wiping nearly $100 million off the stock’s value. The company has since apologized and promised Uncle Herschel isn’t going anywhere.

Job Hopping Is Out, Job Hugging Is In

Remember when changing jobs almost guaranteed a big raise? Not anymore. A new Bank of America report shows that pay bumps from job hopping have dropped to about 7%, down from double digits a few years ago. With layoffs and uncertainty rising, workers—especially Gen Zers—are holding on to the jobs they have.

Delta Lets Customers Pick Its Next Route

Delta Air Lines is letting its customers pick its next summer destination. The airline launched a “Route Race” poll this week in which SkyMiles members and employees can vote on its next European destination: Sardinia, Malta, or Ibiza. The winning route will debut in summer 2026. It’s a rare move for Delta, which usually relies on market data instead of customer polls to pick destinations.