Wal-Mart said a display of Coke cans stacked to look like the World Trade Centre at a Florida store has been removed and was not meant to be disrespectful near the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

When Wal-Mart raises its minimum wage to $10 (€8.81) an hour next year, Target and other competitors are going to face a dilemma: Follow suit and jeopardise profits or risk losing their best workers.