National

Amazon has added a new perk to its Prime subscription service ahead of its two-day Prime Day sale that kicks off July 12.

Driving the news: Prime members in the U.S. can now get a free one-year Grubhub+ membership, typically $9.99 per month, Amazon announced Wednesday.

The new offer includes "unlimited, $0 food delivery fees on orders over $12" and "exclusive perks for Grubhub+ members and rewards like free food and order discounts."

The free membership needs to be activated at Amazon.

Between the lines: After the free year of Grubhub+ ends, it will auto-renew at $9.99 a month until canceled, Amazon says in its fine print.

Lord of the Rings release date and preview

Sneak peek: Amazon announced Wednesday that its new series, "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," will launch Sept. 2 on Prime Video.

Starting Wednesday, Prime members globally get "48-hour advance access to a never-before-seen 60-second exclusive sneak peek."

Prime members can view the sneak peek on Amazon.

Thursday Night Football coming to Prime Video

Meanwhile, Amazon's first Prime Video Thursday Night Football game is Sept. 15.

Ahead of the official Prime Day kickoff, Amazon said Prime members can get early access to deals "to upgrade their living rooms" through July 11.

Early deals include discounts on Fire TV smart televisions, streaming sticks and savings on some NFL-licensed products from Amazon's Fan Shop.

The big picture: Amazon's Prime Day sale will be July 12-13, bringing the annual shopping extravaganza back to July for the first time since 2019.

Now through Prime Day, Prime members can earn a $10 credit toward their Prime Day order or future Amazon purchase by filling out a stamp card by completing four Prime activities.

Amazon says you need to activate your stamp card to participate.

Best Buy revealed details Wednesday of its "Black Friday in July" sale and a preview of its deals.

The sale, which will compete with Prime Day, runs July 11-13 but starts July 10 for the retailer's Totaltech members.

Deals will be posted on Best Buy's BlackFriday site.

What they're saying: "July 11-13, we’re bringing you tons of savings on the season’s latest tech including laptops, TVs, headphones, smartphones and more," Best Buy said in a news release.

Target Deal Days return for the fourth year and run from July 11 to 13, overlapping with Amazon's Prime Day sale and Best Buy's sale.

Target's sale, which was announced June 16, is a day longer than Prime Day and features savings on "hundreds of thousands of items across all categories," the company said.

There's also a new daily Target Deal of the Day online and on the retailer's app.

Ice cream linked to mystery listeria outbreak, CDC says

Subway unveils "Subway Series" menu with 12 new subs

Starbucks has a rare discount every Tuesday in July on cold drinks

Paper coupons are dying but you can still beat inflation

Amazon adds free Grubhub+ as new perk for Prime members

Amazon's new Prime perk was announced ahead of its two-day Prime Day sale.

Amazon Prime members get a year of Grubhub+ as a new perk. Photo courtesy of Amazon

Amazon

Amazon has added a new perk to its Prime subscription service ahead of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two-day Prime Day sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/16/amazon-prime-day-july-2022" data-vars-content-id="4eddb45a-7a0e-4d58-971b-45144ff27da7" data-vars-headline="Amazon adds free Grubhub+ as new perk for Prime members" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/16/amazon-prime-day-july-2022" target="_self">two-day Prime Day sale</a> that kicks off July 12.Driving the news: Prime members in the U.S. can now get a free one-year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grubhub+" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/17/grubhub-free-lunch-promo-new-york" data-vars-content-id="4eddb45a-7a0e-4d58-971b-45144ff27da7" data-vars-headline="Amazon adds free Grubhub+ as new perk for Prime members" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/17/grubhub-free-lunch-promo-new-york" target="_self">Grubhub+</a> membership, typically $9.99 per month, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amazon announced" data-vars-click-url="https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazon-celebrates-prime-members-new-exclusive-offers-and" data-vars-content-id="4eddb45a-7a0e-4d58-971b-45144ff27da7" data-vars-headline="Amazon adds free Grubhub+ as new perk for Prime members" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazon-celebrates-prime-members-new-exclusive-offers-and" target="_blank">Amazon announced</a> Wednesday.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

A Florida-based ice cream brand has been linked to a mysterious and deadly listeria outbreak with 23 reported illnesses across 10 states and one death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why it matters: In its investigation, the CDC ties Big Olaf Creamery of Sarasota to the outbreak and is advising consumers who have any of the brand's ice cream at home to "throw away any remaining product."

People in 10 states have become ill from the outbreak: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, Axios' Herb Scribner reports.

Big Olaf Creamery ice cream is only sold in Florida, the CDC said, but the federal agency said 20 of the infected people "reported living in or traveling to Florida in the month before they got sick."

The CDC said it is continuing to investigate and that the number of cases is likely higher.

What's happening: A recall has not been issued, but the CDC said on July 1, Big Olaf Creamery "voluntarily began contacting retail locations to recommend against selling their ice cream products."

Consumers who have the brand's ice cream also have been told to discard it and to clean "any areas, containers and serving utensils that may have touched Big Olaf ice cream products."

By the numbers: Of the 17 people interviewed by public health officials, 14 (82%) reported eating ice cream.

Six reported eating Big Olaf Creamery brand or "eating ice cream at locations that might have been supplied by Big Olaf Creamery," the CDC said.

Meanwhile, in a post on its Facebook page Sunday, the ice cream brand said “it is only speculation as it is an ongoing investigation."

What they’re saying: "Our brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases, I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted,” the Facebook post said.

“The original report we got from the Florida Department of Health on Friday, July 1st, was that there are 23 cases reported, the first one reported was January 2021. 6 out of the 23 patients mentioned having consumed Big Olaf ice cream, but nothing has been proven,” the company said in the post.

Big Olaf said it has been “cooperating with the Florida Department of Health, FDACS and the FDA as soon as we were informed about the situation.”

The creamery has been family owned and operated for 25 years, according to its website, and does "direct delivery to most of Florida" and serves "ice cream parlors, senior homes, restaurants, fairs and supermarkets with a full range of premium frozen products."

Listeria outbreaks are often linked to dairy and produce

Listeriosis is considered a serious infection that is often caused by contaminated food, per the CDC.

Symptoms often start within two weeks of eating the contaminated food.

The most common symptoms are fever and flu-like symptoms.

Other symptoms include headaches, stiff neck, loss of balance and confusion.

What's next: The CDC recommends calling your health care provider if you have symptoms.

You should also write down everything you ate before you became sick, the CDC said.

Herb Scribner contributed to this report.

Diapers are now tax free in Florida and Maryland, amid inflation

The Sarasota-based ice cream brand is the likely source of a mysterious and deadly listeria outbreak, the CDC said.

Big Olaf Creamery's ice cream has been linked to a listeria outbreak, the CDC said. Photo: BSIP/UIG via Getty Images

Product recalls

Retail

A Florida-based ice cream brand has been linked to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mysterious and deadly listeria outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/30/1-person-has-died-in-a-mysterious-listeria-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="5a4d8150-20db-48a6-88d5-94ec8664e017" data-vars-headline="Ice cream linked to mystery listeria outbreak, CDC says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/30/1-person-has-died-in-a-mysterious-listeria-outbreak" target="_self">mysterious and deadly listeria outbreak</a> with 23 reported illnesses across 10 states and one death, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/monocytogenes-06-22/index.html" data-vars-content-id="5a4d8150-20db-48a6-88d5-94ec8664e017" data-vars-headline="Ice cream linked to mystery listeria outbreak, CDC says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/monocytogenes-06-22/index.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.Why it matters: In its investigation, the CDC ties Big Olaf Creamery of Sarasota to the outbreak and is advising consumers who have any of the brand&#x27;s ice cream at home to &quot;throw away any remaining product.&quot;

Starbucks is offering a rare discount this month after raising "prices several times to address increasing inflationary pressures" over the last year.

What’s happening: Every Tuesday in July, Starbucks Rewards loyalty members get 50% off one handcrafted cold beverage with an offer in its app at participating locations nationwide.

Details: The deal excludes "ready to drink, bottled beverages and alcohol" and cannot "be combined with other offers or discounts," according to the offer's fine print.

There's a limit of one discount per person, which can be used when ordering ahead or by asking "your barista to apply it at the register." It's not valid for delivery.

What they're saying: In February, former Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson spoke of October 2021 and January 2022 price increases with more coming.

"We have additional pricing actions planned through the balance of this year, which play an important role to mitigate cost pressures, including inflation, as we position our business for the future," Johnson said Feb. 2.

Starbucks' founder and interim CEO Howard Schultz, who replaced Johnson this year, said in May that demand for the brand was growing despite the price increases, which he said demonstrated "the elasticity of demand for Starbucks coffee."

Between the lines: Starbucks Rewards in the U.S. grew 17% over the last year to 27 million members, Schultz said during the company's May quarterly earnings call.

Starbucks chief financial officer Rachel Ruggeri said loyalty members delivered "54% of the revenue in our U.S. company-operated stores, the highest level of engagement on record, up 2 percentage points from the prior year."

Meanwhile, on the first day of summer, Starbucks added two cold summer drinks,  the Pineapple Passionfruit and Paradise Drink Starbucks Refreshers beverages to its seasonal menu.

In June, Starbucks also added the Chicken, Maple Butter & Egg Sandwich and the Cookies & Cream Cake Pop to its menu.

Our thought bubble: Starbucks started moving discounts to its mobile app for rewards members before the pandemic, including the popular "Happy Hour" deals.

During the pandemic, deals at Starbucks and other chains including 7-Eleven were scaled back, changed or even canceled to prevent crowds of people from gathering.

7-Eleven's Slurpee Day 2022 offer is available through July 11 for its 7Rewards members through its app, a change from before the pandemic.

Bed Bath & Beyond launches rewards program

Starbucks has a rare Tuesday discount in July on cold drinks

Starbucks' summer deal comes after price increases due to inflation and higher costs.

Starbucks store with woman walking through door

Starbucks Rewards members can get 50% off cold handcrafted drinks Tuesdays in July. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Starbucks

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Starbucks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/21/starbucks-refresher-summer-deals-smoothie-day" data-vars-content-id="6c804a64-3a54-4c2d-873d-6c6cf536c64e" data-vars-headline="Starbucks has a rare Tuesday discount in July on cold drinks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/21/starbucks-refresher-summer-deals-smoothie-day" target="_self">Starbucks</a> is offering a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rare discount" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/29/coupons-inflation-grocery-savings-tips" data-vars-content-id="6c804a64-3a54-4c2d-873d-6c6cf536c64e" data-vars-headline="Starbucks has a rare Tuesday discount in July on cold drinks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/29/coupons-inflation-grocery-savings-tips" target="_self">rare discount</a> this month after raising &quot;prices several times to address increasing inflationary pressures&quot; over the last year.What’s happening: Every Tuesday in July, Starbucks Rewards loyalty members get 50% off one handcrafted cold beverage with an offer in its app at participating locations nationwide.

Target is bringing back popular back-to-school discounts for teachers and college students ahead of the upcoming school year.

The big picture: Amid record inflation, retail sales are expected to grow 7.5% during the mid-July through Labor Day shopping season, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse forecast.

Details: Target’s Teacher Prep Event discount lasts nearly eight weeks and runs July 17 through Sept. 10, the retailer announced Wednesday.

Teachers will be able to save 15% on school supplies and other items with the discount available through the retailer’s Target Circle loyalty program.

Who's eligible: “All K-12 teachers, homeschool teachers, teachers working at day care centers and early childhood learning centers, university or college professors and vocational/trade/technical schoolteachers with valid identification are eligible," Target said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Target warned last month that its overstock problem would eat into its profits this quarter, Axios' Hope King reported.

As part of its plan to "right-size" its inventory, Target said it would take additional markdowns, remove excess inventory and cancel orders.

Flashback: In June, Target offered an extra 20% off on select clearance through the loyalty program. 

State of play: Target is offering a 20% discount for enrolled college students now through Sept. 3, an increase from 15% in 2021.

The discount through Target Circle is a one-time-only offer.

How it works: Before shopping and redeeming the teacher or college student discount, you'll need to get verified.

Go to Target account settings and choose "I'm a teacher" or "I'm a student," according to the retailer's frequently asked questions. 

After entering their information, some will be asked to upload additional documentation before getting verified. 

They will then receive an email about whether they are verified or with next steps, Target said.

Target Deal Days return for the fourth year and run from July 11 to 13, overlapping with Amazon's Prime Day sale.

Target's sale is a day longer than Prime Day and features savings on "hundreds of thousands of items across all categories," the company said.

Target announces discounts for teachers, college students

Target is bringing back two popular back-to-school discounts.

Target's teacher discount returns July 17. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Target

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Target" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/17/target-inventory-sale-clearance-discount" data-vars-content-id="bc461207-6449-4876-847a-4029fb28cc0a" data-vars-headline="Target announces discounts for teachers, college students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/17/target-inventory-sale-clearance-discount" target="_self">Target</a> is bringing back popular back-to-school discounts for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teachers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/teachers-appreciation-parents-kids" data-vars-content-id="bc461207-6449-4876-847a-4029fb28cc0a" data-vars-headline="Target announces discounts for teachers, college students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/23/teachers-appreciation-parents-kids" target="_self">teachers</a> and college students ahead of the upcoming school year.The big picture: Amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/06/fed-inflation-rate-hikes" data-vars-content-id="bc461207-6449-4876-847a-4029fb28cc0a" data-vars-headline="Target announces discounts for teachers, college students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/06/fed-inflation-rate-hikes" target="_self">record inflation</a>, retail sales are expected to grow 7.5% during the mid-July through Labor Day shopping season, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mastercard SpendingPulse forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/june/mastercard-spendingpulse-forecasts-7-5-growth-for-u-s-back-to-school-retail-sales/" data-vars-content-id="bc461207-6449-4876-847a-4029fb28cc0a" data-vars-headline="Target announces discounts for teachers, college students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/june/mastercard-spendingpulse-forecasts-7-5-growth-for-u-s-back-to-school-retail-sales/" target="_blank">Mastercard SpendingPulse forecast</a>.

Subway unveiled 12 new sandwiches Tuesday called the "Subway Series," a change the fast-food chain says is "the most significant menu update in its nearly 60-year history."

Driving the news: The new subs are available nationwide starting Tuesday, July 5, Subway confirmed to Axios, adding there will be a giveaway of up to 1 million free sandwiches on July 12 to celebrate the launch.

Details: Subway said the change also brings an easier "menu and ordering system" to allow "guests to explore new options beyond their beloved build-your-own customization."

Subs can be ordered by name or number and six-inch or footlong and come with a combination of meat, cheese, vegetables, sauce and type of bread.

Flashback: Last year, Subway launched the Eat Fresh Refresh menu with 20 menu updates and did a sub giveaway on July 13.

At the time, Subway called it the "biggest changes in the brand's history, making improvements to almost every core menu item and introducing important digital upgrades that elevate the guest experience."

What they're saying: Trevor Haynes, president of Subway North America, said in a statement that last summer's menu change "laid the foundation to build a better Subway, and now the Subway Series enhances the entire Subway guest experience."

"The Subway Series is the most ambitious undertaking in company history, as we are changing the nearly 60-year-old blueprint that helped make Subway a global phenomenon," Haynes said.

"Whether you leave the sandwich-making to us or are craving your custom creation, there are more reasons than ever to make Subway your dining destination," he added.

Subway Series menu includes "The Monster"

The Subway Series menu is divided into four categories with three sandwiches each that you can order by name or number.

Cheesesteaks: #1 The Philly, #2 The Outlaw, #3 The Monster

Italianos: #4 Supreme Meats, #5 Bella Mozza, #6 The Boss

Chicken: #7 The MexiCali, #8 The Great Garlic, #9 The Champ

Clubs: #10 All-American Club, #11 Subway Club, #12 Turkey Cali Club 

Freebie alert: On July 12 for two hours — from 10am to noon local time — Subway said consumers who visit a participating location can get a free 6-inch Subway Series sub.

Consumers can pick one free sandwich from the 12 new Subway Series sandwiches.

Most participating restaurants will give 50 free subs but Subway told Axios in a statement that "some restaurants may choose to honor beyond that number."

Meanwhile, Subway had an online ordering deal on the new menu through its MyWay Rewards program Tuesday, which the offer notes is a "sneak peek."

With the limited-time offer for app and online orders, get a free six-inch Subway Series sub with the purchase of a footlong at participating locations.

Our thought bubble: Be aware that restaurant loyalty deals can vary by account and exclusions apply.

Subway will give away up to 1 million free subs July 12 to "celebrate" its menu update.

Subway's Subway Series menu is now available at restaurants nationwide. Photo courtesy of Subway

Fast food

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Subway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/22/many-us-restaurant-brands-still-operate-in-russia" data-vars-content-id="c2b47ac2-5dcc-4d8e-aa4a-c2fa800ecfcb" data-vars-headline="Subway unveils &quot;Subway Series&quot; menu with 12 new subs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/22/many-us-restaurant-brands-still-operate-in-russia" target="_self">Subway</a> unveiled 12 new sandwiches Tuesday called the &quot;Subway Series,&quot; a change the fast-food chain says is &quot;the most significant menu update in its nearly 60-year history.&quot;Driving the news: The new subs are available nationwide starting Tuesday, July 5, Subway confirmed to Axios, adding there will be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="giveaway of up to 1 million free sandwiches" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.subway.com/2022-07-05-Subway-Announces-A-Whole-New-Way-to-Subway,1" data-vars-content-id="c2b47ac2-5dcc-4d8e-aa4a-c2fa800ecfcb" data-vars-headline="Subway unveils &quot;Subway Series&quot; menu with 12 new subs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.subway.com/2022-07-05-Subway-Announces-A-Whole-New-Way-to-Subway,1" target="_blank">giveaway of up to 1 million free sandwiches</a> on July 12 to celebrate the launch.

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Target announces discounts for teachers, college students

Amazon adds free Grubhub+ as new perk for Prime members

Ice cream linked to mystery listeria outbreak, CDC says

Subway unveils "Subway Series" menu with 12 new subs

Starbucks has a rare Tuesday discount in July on cold drinks