Most businesses view customer suggestions and criticism as a minor nuisance, and simply something you have to “put up with” in order to do business in the retail sector. But occasionally, a company will take advantage of customer feedback to improve its service and increase its bottom line. Starbucks is attempting to do just that with the release of its new web site, MyStarbucksidea.com.

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. regained the number one position on the Fortune 500 list this year after being demoted to number two by Exxon Mobil Corp. in the previous year’s list. A strong economy led American companies to the most profitable year in the history of the Fortune 500, a 53 year span. The 2007 rankings of the Fortune 500 are based on the revenues of 2006 where Wal-Mart was once again the King of retail. Wal-Mart showed an 11 percent increase in revenue, up to $351.1 billion and showing profits of $11.3 billion. The number one spot on the Fortune 500 has become home for Wal-Mart, topping the list five out of the last six years. Despite some public relations issues, Wal-Mart has improved its overall image to the public and now employs 1.9 million people around the word.

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