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☆ Impossible Foods Hires a Marketing Chief as It Seeks to Win Over Meat Eaters
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Megan Graham | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Alternative-meat maker Impossible Foods Inc. has hired Leslie Sims to fill the newly created post of chief marketing and creative officer ahead of a planned expansion in marketing, the company said. Ms. Sims, currently U.S. chief creative officer at Deloitte Digital, will assume her new role on Jan. 1. Founded in 2011, Impossible Foods sells products including plant-based alternatives to beef burger patties, chicken nuggets and pork. Leslie Sims will become chief marketing and creative officer at Impossible Foods in January. “We’re really going for not being the best plant-based meat—we’re going for being the best meat,” Ms. Sims said.

☆ Why tech layoffs are happening all at once — and why the next few weeks could be the worst of them
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Industry experts say the next few weeks are critical, as holiday layoffs could hurt morale and future hiring. And with economic forecasts looking dire, tech firms are starting to tighten the belt — starting with cutting their workforces to shave salary costs. Which means that in the weeks ahead, thousands of tech workers may be out of a job. How did we get hereAs Big Tech companies reported less-then-stellar earnings over the past few weeks, they also also flashed warning signs about the months ahead. Tech companies are coming off a period of outsized growth, spurred on by the pandemic.

☆ Peloton co-founder John Foley launches business selling custom rugs directly to consumers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Sarah Belle Lin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Peloton co-founders are starting Ernesta, a direct-to-consumer business selling custom rugs. The business is launching in spring 2023 and entering a global market anticipated to reach $130 billion by 2030. The company will be entering a global carpets and rugs market anticipated to reach $130 billion by 2030. Foley is Ernesta's CEO, with fellow Peloton founders Hisao Kushi serving as chief legal officer and Yony Feng as chief technology officer. He relinquished his executive chairman title in September, following months of controversy and reduced global demand at the beleaguered company.

☆ Charity clothing stores turn to Depop and Instagram as they head upmarket with vintage and designer items
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Britain's charity shops are changing how they look and trying to appeal to Gen Z customers. They're selling more designer and vintage items, creating listings on Depop, and carefully curating their social-media profiles — all targeted mainly at appealing to the growing number of Gen Z shoppers. The managers told Insider their retro and vintage stores were largely in urban areas with large student populations. Non-essential retail stores had to shut their doors for months during the pandemic, which the Charity Retail Association estimates cost UK charity shops about £28 million ($32 million) a month. But, as the aisles of charity shops across the UK show, a lot of people do choose to donate them.

☆ Far-right figures gained thousands of new Twitter followers in the 24 hours before Elon Musk's takeover, research company finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Far-right figures gained thousands of new Twitter followers in the 24 hours before Musk took over. Among these new followers, thousands were new to the platform, researchers told The New York Times. Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert gained almost 18,700 new followers in the 24 hours leading up to Musk's takeover, with nearly half from new accounts. Memetica CEO Ben Decker told Insider the findings were alarming because those who gained followers "are really well-known purveyors of disinformation, harassment, and hate." "The more followers and wider reach these accounts have, the more distribution these ideas have," Decker told The New York Times.

☆ Brits are stocking up on air fryers and electric blankets as energy bills skyrocket
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN Business —Shoppers in the United Kingdom are snapping up energy-saving air fryers, electric blankets and slow cookers this winter as their fuel bills soar. Sales of hot air fryers were up 286% in September compared to the same month last year, according to market research company GfK. The portable appliance typically uses less energy than a conventional oven because air fryers are smaller and heat up more quickly. “People are monitoring their energy usage to a minute level.”Sales of electric cooking pots, which includes pressure cookers and slow cookers, were also up 79% in the year to September. Brits are also preparing to wrap up for colder weather ahead by stocking up on electric blankets.

☆ Prepare your finances for a recession despite strong GDP report, warn financial advisors: 'Plan for more disruption'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"For the U.S. economy, a developed economy, that's very respectable, slightly above average," said John Leer, chief economist at Morning Consult, a data research company. watch nowWhy it may be 'a chilly winter'That GDP expansion marks a rebound from a deceleration in both Q1 and Q2. Two consecutive quarters of negative growth meets the common definition of a recession — though the National Bureau of Economic Research, generally considered the arbiter of downturns, hasn't officially declared one. "Bottom Line: This may be the strongest and only positive print on GDP growth we see for a while," Swonk wrote. "We expect the economy to enter a mild recession in the first half of next year."

☆ Cloud Growth Continues Amid Tough Time for Tech
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Steven Rosenbush | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The growth of cloud computing has slowed a bit this year but remains one of the most resilient sectors in a generally tough environment for technology companies. That outpaces overall company sales growth of 15%. Spending on cloud computing “will fluctuate with the broader economic picture,” Mr. Sustar said. People might want to rationalize their cloud spending, but overall cloud growth will continue and be a larger and larger part of the IT budget,” he said. In other words, cloud growth will continue, but it won’t look like a bubble.

☆ Analysis: Cloud Growth Continues Amid Tough Time for Tech
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Steven Rosenbush | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

☆ Mexico City govt joins Airbnb to lure 'digital nomads', despite rising rent fears
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Figurines are seen in front of the Airbnb logo in this illustration taken February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoMEXICO CITY, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Mexico City's mayor said on Wednesday she wants to boost the number of 'digital nomads' in the capital after signing an agreement with short-term rental platform Airbnb, despite fears the influx is pricing residents out of the rental market. Average daily rates for short-term rentals across Mexico City jumped 27% to $93 in August 2022 compared with the same month in 2019, data from market research company AirDNA shows. Airbnb is also opening its platforms for Mexican residents to create tourism experiences around their daily activities, according to Sheinbaum. The partnership between Mexico City's government and Airbnb is also backed by UNESCO, United Nations' cultural agency.

☆ Tesla slashes China prices by up to 9% as analysts warn of 'price war'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

FILE PHOTO: Visitors wearing face masks check a China-made Tesla Model Y sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the electric vehicle maker's showroom in Beijing, China January 5, 2021. China Merchants Bank International (CMBI) said Tesla’s price cuts underlined the growing competitive risk for EV makers in China, with industry-wide sales projected to slow into 2023. “The price cuts underscore the possible price war which we have been emphasising since August,” said Shi Ji, an analyst with CMBI. Analysts are warning of a growing car inventory glut for autos in China, where auto sales growth slowed in September while EV sales rose at their slowest pace in five months. But Tesla has also regularly adjusted prices of its cars in China, including reductions, reflecting government subsidies.

☆ Beyond Meat launches new steak product
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —Beyond Meat, the company known for plant-based burgers designed to look, taste and cook like meat, is getting into plant-based steak. But the new product, meant to mimic an expensive cut of beef, arrives as interest in the plant-based sector appears to be ebbing. Each 10-ounce package contains seared plant-based “steak tips” in bite-sized pieces, and is priced at $7.99. “Beyond Steak is a highly anticipated expansion of our popular beef platform,” said Dariush Ajami, chief innovation officer at Beyond Meat, in a statement announcing the new product Monday. The product “delivers the taste and texture of sliced steak.”Beyond Meat launched a new steak product, Beyond Steak.

☆ Tesla shares fall further as it cuts price on cars in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The price cuts, posted in listings on the electric vehicle giant’s China website on Monday, are the first by Tesla in China in 2022, and come after Tesla began offering limited incentives to buyers who opted for Tesla’s insurance last month. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) fell nearly 4% in US premarket trading on the report about lower prices for its cars in China. The price cuts come after Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last week that “a recession of sorts” was under way in China and Europe and Tesla said it would miss its vehicle delivery target this year. “The price cuts underscore the possible price war which we have been emphasizing since August,” said Shi Ji, an analyst with CMBI. But Tesla has also regularly adjusted prices of its cars in China, including reductions, reflecting government subsidies.

☆ Amazon appears to be polling Americans on how they think it treats warehouse workers amid labor uprisings
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A poll to Americans asked about their perception of pay, safety, and benefits at Amazon warehouses. The bulk of the poll focuses on how respondents perceive Amazon's efforts to improve conditions for its warehouse employees. Market research company Survey 160, a consulting firm co-founded by Obama digital strategy alum Nate Lubin, is conducting the survey, according to a text message to a survey participant seen by Insider. Since then, Amazon has expanded a new workplace safety program, raised wages, and boosted upskilling opportunities for frontline workers. Warehouse activists have in the past two years stepped up complaints over Amazon's grueling productivity expectations, safety risks, and attitude toward organized labor.

☆ Apple to launch a foldable iPad rather than iPhone in 2024, analyst predicts
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CCS Insight published its annual predictions report on Tuesday in which the group' analysts make forecasts about future products and trends. In the latest report, CCS Insight predicted Apple would launch a foldable iPad in two years' time rather than start with a foldable iPhone. "Right now it doesn't make sense for Apple to make a foldable iPhone. The analyst said that a foldable iPhone would likely need to cost around $2,500. Predictions about a foldable iPhone meanwhile have been around for at least four years.

☆ Recession or not, investments in this sector have shown resilience in tough times
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Boston Beer has an average analyst rating of hold and 8% downside to the average price target, according to FactSet. "In a recession, beer tends to gain about one percentage point of share from spirits. How to play the space With that mindset, you shouldn't alter your long-term investments because of a potential recession, Sarwat said. Its average price target is buy. Duckhorn also has an average rating of buy, with 30% upside to the average price target.

☆ These are the top 10 best employers in the world—and Amazon isn't one of them
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Forbes and Statista, surveyed 150,000 full-time and part-time workers from 57 countries to determine the world's best employers. For the sixth year in a row, Forbes released its ranking of the world's best employers. 1 best employer in the world: Samsung GroupIndustry: Conglomerate Country: South Korea Employees: 266,673 The Samsung Group was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. According to Forbes, the tech company was also featured as one of the best employers for new grads. Top 10 best employers in the world

☆ Inflation: Is the Fed losing the war?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“This inflation report today was an unmitigated disaster,” wrote Christopher S. Rupkey, chief economist at Fwdbonds, a financial markets research company. Is the Fed losing the fight against inflation? But the effects of rate hikes can take months to be felt in the real economy. But the Fed is “losing the war” when it comes to price hikes for the services sector. Ultimately, some say the problem of pandemic-era inflation is just too complex to be fixed with the Fed’s blunt tools.

☆ The Fed is losing the war against inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

German and Chinese national flags fly in Tiananmen Square ahead of the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing, China, May 23, 2018. German investment and trade in China hit record levels in the first half of 2022 and big business says there's no question of pulling back from the world's second-biggest economy. A spokesperson for the economy ministry said it was closely following the investment behaviour of German companies as part of its strategic considerations on how to deal with China. The economy ministry declined to comment when asked about a meeting next year, or the remarks about Habeck. Reuters reported last month that the economy ministry was considering curbing export and investment guarantees as part of its new China strategy.

☆ 6 top battery players vying to power the $27.7 billion electric-airplane business
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Andrew Moseman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

While today's technology doesn't allow for battery-powered long-range airliners, plenty of companies are working on short- and medium-range electric aircraft. The global market for electric aircraft is estimated to have reached $7.9 billion in 2021, according to market research company MarketsandMarkets. It's projected to reach $27.7 billion by 2030, and building the batteries to power those aircraft could be a billion-dollar market by 2030. Electric Power SystemsCEO: Nathan MillecamHQ: North Logan, UtahNASA's X-57 Maxwell, meant to prove the potential of electric flight, uses Epic batteries built by Electric Power Systems. Those lithium-ion cells need to become more efficient, however, for Eviation to reach its goal of flying hundreds of miles on only electric power.

☆ Low-price grocers like Aldi are winning as consumers trade down
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-08 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN Business —With grocery prices soaring, consumers are changing the way they shop for food. “Inflation is hitting everyone.”More consumers are additionally switching over to store brands, also called “private label,” which are often comparable in quality and lower in price. “I don’t think you can underestimate the strength of all these private label offerings,” said Heather Lalley, editor in chief of Winsight Grocery Business, a trade publication. “Now we’re seeing other retailers trying to emulate them.”In September, for example, Kroger (KR) announced a new budget private label brand called Smartway, which consolidates some of its other private label brands under one umbrella. Aldi, for one, is rolling out a new tagline to explain what it’s all about: It’s An Aldi Thing.

Floridians are giving TikTok users a front-row seat to Hurricane Ian. Dozens of TikTok users in Florida used TikTok’s livestream feature on Wednesday to offer a window into their lives as the hurricane approached. Some comments trickling in sent the woman prayers, while others predicted her “house will disappear.” TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the hurricane livestreams. TikTok introduced its livestream feature in 2019, and it has since become a popular way of creating content on the app. TikTok’s livestreaming feature has been used for fun but also to share breaking news, such as when Russia invaded Ukraine.

☆ Vietnam tech firm FPT produces country's first semiconductor chips
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HANOI, Sept 28 (Reuters) - FPT Semiconductor, a unit of Vietnam's leading tech company FPT (FPT.HM), launched its first line of semiconductor chips used in medical devices on Wednesday, part of the company's efforts to enter the competitive global industry. Global semiconductor makers have in recent years been betting on the Southeast Asian country, already a major regional manufacturing hub, as an alternative production destination to China. Samsung (009150.KS) said it will begin making semiconductor parts in Vietnam in July, 2023 after injecting $920 million into its plant in northern province of Thai Nguyen earlier this year. Intel increased its Vietnam chip investment by nearly 50% in 2021. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Are you guilty of returning clothes bought to wear once? Some say you should be punished for 'wardrobing' — a practice that costs retailers $12.6 billion annually
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Nearly half of Americans believe 'wardrobing' should be a 'serious illegal offense,' a new survey found. Over a third of Americans say they'd be more likely to practice wardrobing during a recession. In a September study of 2,000 adults, market research company OnePoll found that 46% of survey respondents believed the practice — known as "wardrobing" — should be considered a "serious illegal offense." According to a 2021 study by the National Retail Federation, acts of return fraud like wardrobing amount to $12.6 billion in lost sales for retailers. Fifty-five percent suggested better customer service as a way to combat friendly fraud.

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