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☆ More companies are staying quiet during Pride, but money is still flowing to LGBTQ+ causes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

A GLAAD spokesperson said Friday that the group has not seen donations or corporate support decline this Pride month, though it does not yet have a total tally. Pride Month merchandise is displayed at a Target store on May 31, 2023 in San Francisco, California. A sign disparaging Bud Light beer is seen along a country road on April 21, 2023 in Arco, Idaho. Anheuser-Busch, the brewer of Bud Light has faced backlash after the company sponsored two Instagram posts from a transgender woman. For its part, Bud Light hasn't posted in support of Pride month on its Instagram or X pages this year.

Persons: Stephen J, Cohen, Bud Light, Luke Hartig, Tim Bennett, Bennett, Sarah Kate Ellis, Ellis, JPMorgan Chase, Booking.com, Joe Biden, Justin Sullivan, Bud, Target, Natalie Behring, Kid Rock, Ron DeSantis, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Bud Light's, Michel Doukeris, Bud Light hasn't, Neil Reid, Reid, Tarang Amin, Tara Dziedzic Organizations: Getty, Gravity Research, D.C, Fortune, Tribury Productions, Procter & Gamble, GLAAD, Stonewall, Monument Visitor Center, New, Google, JPMorgan, Target, Pride Month, Anheuser, Busch, Busch InBev, Florida Gov, Constellation Brands, Modelo, InBev, UFC, RBC, University of Toledo, Fox News, The New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, Washington, New York City, San Francisco , California, Arco , Idaho, U.S, RBC Europe

☆ Hybrids are having a moment. Here's what you need to know if you're in the market.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. These shoppers are turning to bridge technologies like hybrids and plug-in hybrids, reviving a segment once thought by some to be a relic of the pre-Tesla automotive industry. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Tractor Supply Co. backtracks on DEI roles and goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Tractor Supply Company has eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as part of what the retail chain says is a push to distance itself from “nonbusiness activities” after conservative backlash from some of its customer base. “You can’t say you’re going to try to do at Tractor Supply what they do at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California — that’s definitely not going to work,” he said. “Tractor Supply Co is turning its back on their own neighbors with this shortsighted decision,” Eric Bloem, vice president of Programs and Corporate Advocacy at the Human Rights Campaign, told CNN in a statement Saturday. This is why the Tractor Supply — and most of the country’s biggest employers — have worked with us for years to create inclusive policies and practices. Those are the parts that business leaders aren’t thinking about as they are folding on DEI.”

Persons: ”, “, Robby Starbuck, Starbuck, X, ” Shaun Harper, Harper, that’s, ” Eric Bloem, —, Bud Light’s, influencer Dylan Mulvaney Organizations: New, New York CNN — Tractor Supply Company, Supply, Tennessee’s, Congressional, Tractor Supply, University of Southern, CNN, Tractor, National FFA Organization, Apple, ”, Human Rights, “, Companies, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Target Locations: New York, University of Southern California, Brentwood , Tennessee, Cupertino , California, United States

☆ An alphabet soup of 'electrified' vehicles awaits new car buyers as EV sales stall
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

A car shopper today has their pick of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles; mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs); hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs); plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also commonly known as EVs. Here's a breakdown: Internal combustion engine (ICE): A "traditional" vehicle with an engine that's fueled with gasoline or diesel. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): Think of the Toyota Prius, a vehicle that has a hybrid powertrain system combined with an engine. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) : These vehicles feature an internal combustion engine combined with a hybrid system, including a larger battery than traditional hybrid vehicles as well as a plug to recharge the vehicle's battery. : These vehicles feature an internal combustion engine combined with a hybrid system, including a larger battery than traditional hybrid vehicles as well as a plug to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Persons: Paul Waatti, Heather Seymour, Seymour, Stellantis, Waatti, Michael Wayland, Antonio Filosa, Russell Wager, Jérémie Papin, BEV Organizations: DETROIT —, Pacifica, Toyota, CNBC, Motors, Chevrolet, Kia America, EV, Kia, GM, Detroit, GM Energy, Ford Motor, Auto, Nissan, ICE, Toyota Prius Locations: U.S, Stellantis, St, Johns , Florida, Detroit, Japan, South Korea, Germany

☆ People aren't spending like they used to and it's forcing companies like Nike and Walgreens to make drastic changes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. People are still spending money, but there's an uncomfortable awareness that years of price hikes mean each dollar doesn't go as far as it used to. "This consumer remains very cautious, specifically when you think about larger ticket discretionary purchases," he told Oppenheimer analysts Wednesday. "Why have people who are having a hard time paying their rent have to pay more for our drink?"

Persons: —, they're, Joseph Lewis, Marvin Ellison, Oppenheimer, John David Rainey, Federal Reserve Banks, San Francisco Fed, Don Vultaggio Organizations: Service, Business, Bloomberg, Nike, Walgreens, Walmart, Federal Reserve, San Francisco, Philadelphia Fed, Iced Tea Locations: San Francisco, Philadelphia

☆ The lack of EV charging infrastructure is so bad it's driving owners back to gas-powered cars
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIssues with charging have nearly half of electric vehicle owners in the US considering going back to fossil fuels – the latest bad sign for the EV transition. The top reason respondents listed for ditching their EV was a lack of charging infrastructure. Charging infrastructure here has long been a hot-potato issue, which has held back efforts to build more chargers. While a push from the automotive industry to fund charging infrastructure has led to a boom in public charging stations in the last two years, these have largely been money-losing ventures. On the government side, the Biden Administration has set aside $7.5 billion for charging infrastructure with a vow to add 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

Persons: —, Tesla, Biden Organizations: Service, McKinsey & Co, EV, Business, Biden Administration Locations: Australia

☆ Western clothing craze sends sales of denim dresses and skirts soaring, Levi Strauss says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesIn a lyric on her latest album, Beyoncé sings "denim on denim, on denim, on denim." Levi Strauss executives are ecstatic. Western wear is booming as consumers opt for top-to-bottom denim looks, the iconic, 171-year-old clothing maker said on Wednesday. Sales of denim skirts, jumpsuits and dresses all at least doubled in the latest quarter, Gass said. On the other hand, Levi Strauss earned 16 cents per share, excluding items, ahead of the 11-cent average estimate by analysts.

Persons: LEVI, Jeff Greenberg, Beyoncé, Levi Strauss, jean, Michelle Gass, Levi's, Carter, Louis Vuitton, Taylor, Gass, Levi, " Gass, Wall, Lee Organizations: Orlando Vineland, Universal, Getty, LSEG, CNBC, Dockers, Kontoor Brands Locations: Florida, Levi's, California, Kohl's

☆ Meta and Google have become new allies for retailers in their battle to steal ad dollars from Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewRetailers have new friends in their battle to steal ad dollars from Amazon: Meta and Google. And Kroger inked a deal to sell targeted Meta ads for grocery-focused brands. Instacart is working with YouTube to let advertisers target ads based on someone's shopping behavior on Instacart. Kroger Precision Marketing's Pratt said that Kroger is also pitching Meta ads to social advertisers as performance ad formats. Advertisers typically buy social ads to increase big branding goals like awareness, but retailers want to prove that social ads also drive sales.

Persons: —, Kroger, Ross Walker, Walker, Andrew Lipsman, Cara Pratt, Instacart, Shopify, Andrius Baranauskas, Baranauskas, Marketing's Pratt, Lipsman Organizations: Service, Google, Meta, Business, Amazon, Retailers, Media, Kroger, Marketing, Kroger Precision Marketing, YouTube Locations: Canada, Acadia, Shopify

☆ Younger generations of Asians are spending big on art
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Lucy Handley | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Younger, wealthy shoppers in Asia are splashing their cash on art, according to a longtime collector and senior auction house executive. Chen Yongnuo | China News Service | Getty ImagesAnd, while the size of the global art market fell 4% last year to around $65 billion, according to the Art Basel & UBS Art Market Report 2024, sales in China rose by 9% in 2023, overtaking the U.K. as the world's second-largest art market. For Sotheby's, the rise in younger buyers is driven in part by an increase in online activity. "The definition of digital art nowadays has been expanded from simply photography to video art to NFTs to AI-generated art," she told CNBC's "Art of Appreciation." "With the younger generations becoming more and more prominent in the market ... digital artists ... will be the group of artists getting more attention," Siyang-Le added.

Persons: Nicolas Chow, Gen X, we've, X, Chow, CNBC's, Z, Gen, Yoshitomo Nara, Chen Yongnuo, Clare McAndrew, Angelle, Mak2, Li Zhihua Organizations: …, —, Art Basel, UBS Survey, China News Service, UBS Art, Arts Economics, Survey, Art, CNBC's, Getty Locations: Asia, Shanghai, millennials, Christie's Hong Kong, Sotheby's Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong, Art Basel Hong Kong

☆ Opinion: The real loser in the first presidential debate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Opinion Cnn Contributors | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

CNN —CNN Opinion asked political contributors to weigh in on the first presidential debate of the 2024 race. On the other hand, President Joe Biden did not meet expectations and may have increased concerns about his age and ability to lead for another four years. Debates are always more about style than substance, and President Joe Biden’s style was simply awful. Did President Joe Biden come off as a leader or a loser? And yes, the visuals in this first presidential debate of the cycle were phenomenally important.

Persons: Ana Marie Cox, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden, Ana Marie Cox Faith Fonseca, Trump, mumbling, I’m, Shermichael Singleton, Joe Biden, Paul Begala, ” “, ” Paul Begala, meandered, —, Republicans — Biden, Bill Clinton’s, Clinton, Jeff Yang, Jeff Yang CNN, — Biden, Joe, Bruce, ”, “, ” Patrick T, Brown, Biden’s, Dobbs, Roe, Wade, Patrick T, CNN’s Dana Bash, David Mark, there’s, Kamala Harris, Harris, Nikki Haley, ” Geoff Duncan, Geoff Duncan Alex Slitz, Geoff Duncan, Peter Bergen, Abu Bakr al, General Qassem Soleimani, It’s, ” Susanne Ramirez de Arellano, Susanne Ramirez de Arellano Frank Moya, Biden “, ” Trump, Susanne Ramirez de Arellano, Roxanne Jones, Democrats — Biden, Nobody, Jones, Lanhee J, Chen, Chen Lanhee J . Chen, David, Diane Steffy, Romney, Ryan Organizations: CNN, Democratic Party, Biden, Trump, “, Global, Democrats, ” Paul Begala CNN, Republicans, Democratic, sonics, Public Policy Center, Economic, Republican, South Carolina Gov, Democratic National Convention, Washington, Peter Bergen CNN, US Border Patrol, ISIS, Islamic, Guards, Force, Walmart, New America, Capitol, New, Arizona State University, Social Security, Medicare, UCLA, Politics Initiative, America, Tonight, Univision Puerto Rico, ESPN, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Public Policy, Hoover Institution Locations: Texas, Austin, America, Asian America, Washington , DC, bravura State, Canada, Abu, Uzbek, Manhattan, El Paso , Texas, New America, United States

☆ I shopped for work outfits at COS and Zara and preferred the more expensive store
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Today, Zara, H&M, and Aritzia have become the go-to stores. Related storiesVersatile attire rather than strictly professional clothes makes sense with Zara's brand mission. Samantha Grindell/Business InsiderAgain, the jacket was work-appropriate, but I thought I would feel uncomfortable in the office in the skort because of its length. Samantha Grindell/Business InsiderThe outfit that surprised me most was a white set with a $69 tank top and $89 shorts. Samantha Grindell/Business InsiderThe COS clothes were slightly more expensive than the pieces from Zara, but the price difference felt minuscule considering the COS pieces' quality.

Persons: —, It's, Katie Reeves, Samantha Grindell, Nordstrom, Zara didn't, I've Organizations: Service, Abercrombie, Fitch, Outfitters, Business, M, COS, M Group, Zara Locations: Hollister, Zara, London, America, New York, Mexico, Lower Manhattan

☆ Drug store chains pushed out independent pharmacies. Here’s why they’re now closing too
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The latest closures are part of a larger downturn, not just for Walgreens, but for other drug store chains, too, after years of expansion. Shifting trendsDrug store chains are struggling because of falling reimbursement rates for prescription drugs, according to analysts who cover the industry. But their profits from that business have dropped in recent years because of lower reimbursement rates for prescription drugs and higher fees. Dollar General’s growth has also hurt drug store chains in rural areas. When pharmacies close, some patients have to travel farther to get the medications they need.

Persons: Walgreens, Tim Wentworth, “, ” Wentworth, Elizabeth Anderson, PBMs, ” Anderson, VIllageMD Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Wall Street, CVS, IRI, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, American Medical Association Locations: New York, United States, VillageMD

☆ Rural retailer Tractor Supply eliminates DEI roles, Pride support and carbon emissions goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shoppers are seen at the parking lot of a Tractor Supply Co. store near Bloomsburg. Tractor Supply is also retiring initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and improving employee diversity. Tractor Supply said it's making the changes to better represent the values of the communities and customers it serves. "Rural communities are the backbone of our nation and what make America great," Tractor Supply said in the news release. CNBC contacted Tractor Supply for more details about the changes, and the company declined to comment beyond the release.

Organizations: Tractor Supply Co, Bloomsburg . Tractor, Human Rights, Pride, Human, Pride Month, Tractor Supply, ", FFA, CNBC, Supreme, Starbucks, Disney, Target, Pfizer, Associated Press Locations: Bloomsburg, America

☆ EV charging is so bleak in the US that 46% of owners are considering going back to gas-powered cars
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIssues with charging has nearly half of electric-vehicle owners in the US considering going back to fossil fuels — the latest bad sign for the EV transition. A recent consumer study conducted by McKinsey found that 46% of US EV owners surveyed were likely to switch back to a gas-powered vehicle, compared to a global average of 29% of EV owners who said they would likely switch back to an internal-combustion engine. Respondents said the top reason for ditching their EVs was a lack of charging infrastructure. Though a push from the automotive industry to fund charging infrastructure has led to a boom in public charging stations in the last two years, these have largely been money-losing ventures. The Biden administration has set aside $7.5 billion for charging infrastructure and has said it would add 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

Persons: —, Tesla, Biden Organizations: Service, McKinsey, EV, Business Locations: Australia

☆ Walgreens will close a ‘significant’ number of its 8,600 US locations
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Walgreens is set to close a substantial number of its roughly 8,600 locations across the United States as the company looks to reset the struggling pharmaceutical chain’s business. The company didn’t announce a specific number of store closures, but it said Thursday that it is planning “significant” closures of underperforming stores across America as part of a multiyear optimization program. The closures would focus on locations that aren’t profitable, too close to each other or stores struggling with theft, Wentworth told the Journal. Major drugstore chains, including CVS (CVS) and Rite Aid, have struggled in recent years because of declining profits from filling prescriptions. Wentworth told the Journal it’s losing money on filling those prescriptions.

Persons: Tim Wentworth, Wentworth, “, ” Wentworth, ” Neil Saunders, GlobalData, ” Saunders, drugstores, hasn’t, – CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Wall Street Journal, Journal, Walgreens ’, CVS, Rite, Amazon, Target, Rite Aid Locations: New York, United States, America, drugstores, VillageMD

☆ 4 reasons to unify your financial technology
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A unified financial technology platform enables 360-degree customer insights and AI innovation. But when it comes to financial technology, less is more: Too many technology platforms can make it challenging for businesses to leverage data and AI for financial payments and customer management. Here are four ways merchants can deliver a better customer experience by moving to a unified financial technology platform. Businesses can reduce this risk and save time by using a unified financial technology platform. Learn how Adyen can help your organization scale faster with unified financial technology.

Persons: Gayathri Rajan, Rajan, Adyen Organizations: Product, Adyen, Insider Studios Locations: Adyen

☆ Levi's shares drop 12% as jeans maker's sales disappoint despite denim craze
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The jeans creator on Wednesday posted fiscal second quarter revenue that fell just short of Wall Street's expectations at a time when shoppers are stocking their wardrobes with denim dresses, skirts and ultra-low-rise baggy pants. It's not clear how sales at Docker's were affected by the timing of Levi's wholesale orders. The changes are necessary because nearly half of Levi's sales these days are coming from its own website and stores. During the quarter, wholesale revenue grew 7%, but excluding the shift in timing of wholesale orders, sales in the channel decreased 4%. Singh noted that wholesale revenue improved on a sequential basis, but the company has a "conservative" view of the channel's growth moving forward.

Persons: hasn't, Levi Strauss, Levi's, Harmit Singh, Singh, Michelle Gass Organizations: LSEG, Finance, CNBC, Levi's, Nike Locations: U.S, Europe, Macy's

☆ Chinese shoppers are so obsessed with LVMH that some people asked the CEO to bless their babies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

LVMH, led by Arnault, has grown significantly in China since entering the market in 1992. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementChinese customers are such big fans of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton that they reacted strongly to Bernard Arnault visiting their country. A few of them asked him to bless their babies, he told Bloomberg in an interview. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Bernard Arnault's, Arnault, —, Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault, LVMH Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Amazon plans to launch discount store in bid to fend off Temu and Shein
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon plans to launch a new section on its site dedicated to low-priced fashion and lifestyle items that will allow Chinese sellers to ship directly to U.S. consumers, CNBC has learned. Amazon's storefront will feature a range of unbranded items, many priced under $20, according to a presentation to Amazon sellers viewed by CNBC. In the past, Amazon sellers in China have relied on the company's fulfillment services, called Fulfillment by Amazon, to send goods to warehouses in the U.S. before they are dispatched to customers. The company pitched the arrangement as cost savings for Amazon sellers in China, and said merchants would be able to test new items through small-batch production. It is unclear when Amazon intends to debut the storefront, but the presentation notes it will start accepting products this fall.

Persons: Maria Boschetti, Boschetti Organizations: CNBC, Amazon, The Locations: New York, U.S, China, Shenzhen

☆ How Gen-Z sports brand Overtime built an 8-figure merch business and is using partnerships to take it to the next level
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The media company first made a name for itself by distributing high-school sports videos, then producing its own shows and operating its own sports leagues. Rutstein, who worked at Adidas and Reebok before Overtime, said the company distinguishes its merch by focusing on quality. Advertisement"When we first started, I said, we're not going to be a media company that just does merch," Rutstein told Business Insider. Advertisement"Through partnerships, we've been able to expand our audience, of course, to these brands that are either legacy or heritage streetwear brands," Rutstein said. Other brands Overtime has partnered with include BAPE, a Japanese clothing brand; PSD Underwear, which makes underwear and activewear; 7-Eleven, a convenience store chain; and Billionaire Boys Club, a fashion label founded by singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams.

Persons: —, Tyler Rutstein, Rutstein, we're, SpongeBob, we've, Pharrell Williams, that's Organizations: Service, Paramount, Business, Adidas, Reebok, Billionaire Boys Locations: merch

☆ Sam's Club is winning over Gen Z shoppers with convenience, and that could spell trouble for Costco
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Sam's Club has grown its Gen Z membership by 68% in the past two years, CEO Chris Nicholas said. While the main attraction is low prices, the real difference for the club is its tech, he said. That could spell trouble for Costco, which lags far behind when it comes to digital innovation. AdvertisementLong a mainstay for boomers and Gen X shoppers, warehouse clubs increasingly have a new set of fans: Gen Z. "That generation believes it's cool to save money and we agree with them," Sam's Club CEO Chris Nicholas told CNBC last week.

Persons: Chris Nicholas, —, Gen, Nicholas Organizations: Sam's, Costco, Service, CNBC, Walmart, Business

☆ Target taps Shopify to add sellers to its third-party marketplace
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Starting Monday, the Minneapolis-based discounter said companies that work with Shopify can apply to join Target Plus, its third-party marketplace. Target's marketplace creates a "halo" and is "an accelerant to the total business," she said. Target Plus has only a tiny fraction of the revenue and sellers of other third-party marketplaces. Sylvester would not say how much of that came from ads bought by Target Plus sellers. Target does not offer fulfillment services, instead relying on Target Plus sellers to store, pack and ship their own goods.

Persons: discounter, Cara Sylvester, Shopify, Sylvester, Target, Ban, Sellers, Doug McMillon Organizations: Target, CNBC, Walmart, Amazon, eBay, Marketplace, Brands Locations: Minneapolis, Walmart's U.S

☆ Affordable luxury: Price-conscious Americans are turning to cheaper steakhouses
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

So business is booming at Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse, even as Americans pull back elsewhere. And in the three months through May 26, sales at Longhorn Steakhouse locations open at least 16 months rose 4%. An affordable luxuryWhen it comes to steakhouses, Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse are on the cheaper end, noted Jim Salera, a research analyst at Stephens. Patrons sit at a bar and watch sports at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in November 2023. “Retail demand has been probably a little bit weaker,” said Michael Bailen, senior director of investor relations at Texas Roadhouse.

Persons: Texas, ”, Jim Salera, Salera, you’re, Peter Saleh, They’ve, Scott Olson, Saleh, Rick Cardenas, It’s, Michael Bailen, ” Bailen, “, ’ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Texas, Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn, Longhorn, Darden Restaurants, steakhouses , Texas Roadhouse, Stephens, of America, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kroger Locations: New York, Texas, Olive, steakhouses , Texas, Skokie , Illinois, . Texas

☆ Americans' spending patterns are flashing a warning of a possible consumer-led recession
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAmerica's stimulus-fueled shopping spree looks just about over — and lower spending could be a signal that a consumer-led downturn is on the horizon, economic experts say. Retail spending ticked 0.1% higher in May, but sales volume has dropped 1.3% year-over-year over the last three months, US Census data shows. That adds to a 4% decline in retail sales in the first quarter — and it's a strong sign the long-awaited consumer recession is on the horizon, economist David Rosenberg said recently. "Early signs of a consumer recession finally coming to the fore." AdvertisementThe US has 52% chance of slipping into recession by May of next year, according to projections from the New York Fed.

Persons: —, David Rosenberg, Stephanie Pomboy, Ian Shepherdson Organizations: Service, Business, McKinsey, Deutsche Bank, Consumer, Federal Reserve, New York Fed, Pantheon Macroeconomics

☆ The sneaky, smart reasons malls have no windows
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The birth of the American mall ushered in an era of “windowless” shopping that’s largely still here. But the sneakiest reason why malls limit windows could be to make shoppers lose track of time. Windowless shopping creates an environment of consumption without distractions,” Flickinger said. The Southdale mall was functional and drab to look at and that is the blueprint that all traditional enclosed malls have continued to follow. Some of these adaptive uses of traditional malls might be creating a practical need for windows after all, she said.

Persons: mallgoers, Burt Flickinger, Bill Peters, ” Flickinger, “, Victor Gruen, Gruen, Larry Salzman, Stephanie Cegielski, ”, Cegielski, ” Alexandra Lange, Lange, Thomas McMillan, ” Lange, Kristin Mueller, Kena Betancur Organizations: New, New York CNN, Strategic Resource Group, CNN, Shoppers, Denver, Getty, Denver Post, ”, Southdale, Minneapolis –, Gruen Associates, International Council of Shopping Centers, “, Sears, Roebuck, of Retailing Studies, Texas, Mays Business School, Energy, Customers, North Locations: New York, Northglenn, Northglenn , Colorado, Minneapolis, Austria, Los Angeles, Edina , Minneapolis, ”, Framingham , Massachusetts, United States, America, American, East Rutherford , New Jersey, North America

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