In brief: Apple, Cisco join to boost mobile sales

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple is leaning on Cisco Systems’ Internet networking expertise in its latest attempt to sell more iPhones and iPads to corporate customers.

The alliance announced Monday calls for Cisco to ensure that corporate Internet connections relying on its gear deliver content quickly and securely to iPhones and iPads. Cisco will also help Apple develop ways for iPhones to interact more smoothly with workers’ office phones.

Financial terms of the partnership weren’t disclosed.

This is the second time in two years that Apple has teamed up with a major technology company that focuses on business customers. Apple joined forces with IBM Corp. 13 months ago to build and sell business applications for the iPhone and iPad.

Wal-Mart cutting hours for some employees

NEW YORK – Wal-Mart said it is asking some stores to schedule workers for fewer hours, although it said the directive is only being given to stores that are assigning more hours than they were expected to.

The world’s largest retailer said the instructions apply only to a small number of its 4,500 U.S. locations that are scheduling workers for more hours than expected.

Wal-Mart said Monday it spoke to store managers about controlling costs earlier this month at a holiday-season planning meeting. Managers who have been scheduling workers for too many hours were reminded to schedule closer to their allotted hours.

Wal-Mart’s second-quarter profit fell 15 percent, partly because of pay raises, efforts to overhaul its stores and investments in its online operations. The changes did help its sales, however.

Jeep Cherokee SUVs recalled over wipers

DETROIT – Fiat Chrysler is recalling 206,668 Jeep Cherokee SUVs because the windshield wipers can stop working unexpectedly.

Cherokees from the 2014 model year are affected. There are 158,671 in the U.S., 18,366 in Canada and 3,582 in Mexico. The rest were sold outside North America.

Blue Bell resumes selling ice cream

BRENHAM, Texas – Blue Bell ice cream is back.

Blue Bell Creameries resumed selling its products at some locations in Texas and Alabama on Monday, four months after the Texas-based retailer halted sales due to listeria contamination at some plants prompted health concerns that drew the regulatory scrutiny of federal and state officials.