Old Navy bucks retail apocalypse, Google told not to muzzle employees, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

Old Navy is planning a massive expansion of 800 new stores as it moves to become a standalone brand. The cut-price retail chain's remarkably robust growth contrasts with the plummeting fortunes of its parent Gap's flagship brand — buffeted by slumping sales and store closures. Gap CEO Art Peck will remain at the helm of the new, slimmed-down Gap, which will encompass the Gap brand, Banana Republic, and Athleta, while Old Navy boss Sonia Syngal will steer a newly separated, rapidly growing Old Navy. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

Google received another warning from the government, this time ordering it to let employees know they can speak out about working conditions, wages and other topics, reports The Wall Street Journal. The National Labor Relations Board said the search giant must tell its workforce that, contrary to company rules, they are free to share confidential information. The order follows a penalty from the Federal Trade Commission for collecting data from children using YouTube, a Google site, as well as the launch of separate antitrust probes into the company by the Justice Department and attorneys general. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

Also: Winding up a four-year fiscal fraud probe, Google will pay a $550 million to France. French finance officials determined that the search giant had not disclosed all of its activities in the country. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

California passed a bill limiting rent increases to 5% after inflation, joining Maryland, New Jersey and New York as the only states with some form of rent control. This comes as more and more Americans are renting than ever before. The measure also protects tenants from being evicted without cause. Gov. Gavin Newsom led this latest attempt to address the state's housing crisis, and said he would sign the bill that will impact the roughly 8 million residents who live in rental homes and apartments. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

The world’s biggest retailer says it plans to expand “unlimited” grocery delivery to more than half the country by the end of the year. Walmart’s service will cost $98 annually and include 1,400 stores following a test in four markets. Competition in the grocery space is heating up as competitor Target owns a delivery platform where users can pay $99 to have some groceries delivered the same day, while Amazon offers discounts at Whole Foods Market to Prime members. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

It looks like millennials may not be ruining everything after all. One of the largest generations will soon enter its prime spending years, inheriting $30 trillion in wealth and transforming the economy with newfound spending power. Camping, frozen foods, micromobility, and personal finance are among the industries anticipated to reap the benefits of millennial spending, aligning with the generation’s emphasis on “experiences” and challenging stereotypes of fiscal irresponsibility. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

Idea of the Day: Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, says Kat Cole, COO and President, North America at FOCUS Brands.

“In the hallway, over coffee, on a quick call. ‘Hi, I’m working on/dealing with “x” situation, I know you have experience here, and I’d love to get your guidance.’ …. This could be only 5-10 minutes, but worth a lifetime of leapfrogging mistakes and accelerating learning.” 

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