Target recently opened its first-ever “receive center” facility in Houston, with the $265 million installation taking products in from its global vendors and holding them until they’re required elsewhere. The retailer expects the facility will create 185 new jobs in the region (more).

Costco quietly made a small shift to its famous $1.50 hot dog combo offered in its food courts, giving customers the option of selecting bottled water to drink in addition to the standard soda choice (more).

Chinese factory activity beat estimates, with the official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index reading of 50.3 topping projections of 50.1. “Industry still looks comparatively firm, while services and domestic demand show some weakness, which keeps boosting internal demand high on the policy agenda,” said Hao Zhou, head of research and chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings (more).

The American economy showed mixed signals in March, with Commerce Department data showing 12-month inflation reaching 3.2% while the Labor Department reported jobless claims totaling 189,000, seasonally adjusted, the lowest reading since September 1969. “This is a split-screen economy. Companies and investors involved in AI are on fire. Meanwhile, middle and moderate income households are struggling with high gas prices and inflation that’s back at the hottest level in three years,” said economist Heather Long (more).

Coca-Cola topped earnings per share and revenue expectations against Wall Street estimates, with EPS registering at 86 cents adjusted versus 81 cents anticipated. Concerning revenue, Q1 was notched at $12.47 billion versus $12.24 billion expected, with global demand increasing (more).