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☆ Restaurants and hotels are driving US job economy. Here are thousands of open roles as the hospitality sector offsets steep staffing cuts in big tech.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Danni Santana | Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The leisure and hospitality sector continues to drive US job gains, the Labor Department said. Still, the US Travel Association estimates about 2 million open roles in leisure and hospitality. The leisure and hospitality sector encompasses restaurants, hotels, arts, entertainment such as theme parks, and other tourism-oriented businesses. Overall, the US Travel Association estimates about 2 million open roles remain unfilled in leisure and hospitality. Here's a look at who is hiring in restaurants and hospitality at large chains.

☆ Ohio lawmakers want kids to work longer hours, saying it'll keep them off TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ohio lawmakers aim to pass a bill that extends work hours for students and decreases time on TikTok. Time spent by teenagers on apps like TikTok and Instagram has been top-of-mind among lawmakers. According to the bill's sponsors, the pending state law should also limit the time teenagers spend on social media apps like TikTok. Mike DeWine had proposed a new "Social Media Parental Notification Act," as part of his 2023 executive budget. The legislation would mandate that social media sites receive parental approval before children under the age of 16 can sign up for an account.

☆ Forget Yeezys. Adidas' new CEO says Sambas and Gazelles are the 'hottest shoe in the market'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Adidas Yeezy is gone, but Adidas terrace shoes like the Samba and Gazelle can pick up the slack. "It's something that if we manage it correctly, can be millions and millions of pairs," he said. Adidas Sambas, Gazelles, and Spezial sneakers, what the company calls Terrace shoes, are having a moment. Gulden called Sambas, Gazelles, and Spezials a very fast-growing "franchise" for Adidas. "I think it's something that if we manage it correctly, can be millions and millions of pairs," Gulden told analysts. "

☆ Adidas thinks this 74-year-old shoe can replace Yeezys
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

☆ Adidas study calls out the 'ridiculous' things women must do to feel safe while running
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

To highlight findings, Adidas also created a "The Ridiculous Run," YouTube video featuring runners. According to the study, about half of women fear being attacked while running outside. The study surveyed 9,000 runners — half women and half men — in seven countries and intends to highlight the many safety concerns of women while "calling for male education and allyship" to incite change. To highlight its findings, Adidas created "The Ridiculous Run" YouTube video, which features female runners running at night with cars and motorcycles escorting them for safety. The survey and "The Ridiculous Run" are part of Adidas' With Women We Run Initiative and partnership with White Ribbon.

☆ Adidas' new CEO came out swinging during his first press conference, calling out Nike's lack of innovation and defending the three stripes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Danni Santana | Matthew Kish | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He stood up for Adidas' performance innovation pipeline while taking a shot at NikeAdidas is always compared to its larger rival Nike. But Gulden took issue with criticisms that Adidas is not innovating enough in its performance business. The Yeezy business is not coming backAdidas has not made a decision on what to do with its stockpile of Yeezys. Given Lorenzo's popularity, the underperformance of the Ivy Park line, and the end of Adidas' Yeezy business, Lorenzo could give the company a needed spark. Gulden took the stage Wednesday in front of a backdrop that featured Jesse Owens and Muhammad Ali, two sports icons and former Adidas athletes.

☆ Enterprise Tech Firms Push Further Into Generative AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Angus Loten | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Generative AI, the technology underlying the viral ChatGPT chatbot, runs on algorithmic language models trained on vast amounts of online data. “We think 2023 will be the year that generative AI will become prevalent and a key component of modern office work,” he said. On Tuesday, the company launched a $250 million investing fund targeting generative AI startups. Yet despite assurances from the enterprise market’s biggest players, most corporate tech chiefs are taking a wait-and-see approach to ChatGPT-like generative AI technology, analysts said. Steve Santana, chief information officer at educational-testing company ETS, said he is more open to working with large enterprise-technology firms on generative AI capabilities, rather than small niche providers.

☆ Adidas CEO worries donated Yeezy's would end up being resold: 'They will come back'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Adidas has many options on what to do about its Yeezy Inventory, though none are particularly good. CEO Bjørn Gulden told analysts that even donating Yeezys may be risky, as people could sell them. Adidas Samba Edward Berthelot/Getty ImagesThe question now is where Adidas goes from here in terms of generating brand heat. For Gulden, the answer could be Adidas classics, namely the Samba, but also silhouettes like the Gazelle and Spezial. "We currently have maybe the hottest shoe in the market… and it's the Adidas Samba," Gulden said.

☆ The Nike and Tiffany & Co. sneaker release is the perfect example of what's wrong with buying popular shoes right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Many consumers hoping to grab a pair of the Nike Air Force 1 Low Tiffany & Co. "1837" missed out. Customers looking to buy the sneaker will now have to pay three times the $400 retail price. The Nike and Tiffany drop highlighted a few key hurdles for consumers who attempt to purchase limited-edition sneakers. For die-hard Tiffany fans newly introduced to sneaker culture, it was a rude awakening about how modern sneaker releases are very much a lottery. If not, there are plenty of other Air Force 1s to choose from.

☆ Nike, loaded with new products, is already reaping the benefits of Adidas' struggles after the abrupt end of its Yeezy business
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nike's easy dominance of prominent sneaker releases in February is a sign of things to come. Consumers who bought Yeezys last year will likely switch over to Nike styles, one analyst says. Without a Yeezy business and amid ongoing struggles at Adidas, there is market share up for grabs. February is the first major month of the year for sneaker releases because of the NBA All-Star Game. "Looking ahead, Nike should benefit greatly from the lack of Adidas Yeezys in March," Nikic wrote, alluding to 11 different Yeezy styles that were released in 2022 compared to zero releasing this month.

☆ Nike is doubling down on litigation in a fierce battle to protect its patents and trademarks. Here's every brand it has sued in recent years.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Matthew Kish | Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Nike's also suing companies that sell sneakers that resemble Dunks, Jordans, and Air Force 1s. In recent months, Nike's presence in courtrooms has become more visible, with headline-grabbing lawsuits against Lululemon, Bape, StockX, Warren Lotas, Kool Kiy, and others. Several of the lawsuits now before a judge relate to Nike's enforcement of those patents, including interactive fitness technology. While trademarks protect words and phrases like "Nike" and "Just do it," trade dress protects silhouettes and appearances, like the outline of a Coca-Cola bottle or the shape of an iPhone. The company has another four applications pending,Here's a rundown of some of the company's most recent lawsuits, starting with the most recent.

REUTERS/Wolfgang RattaySummarySummary Companies Volkswagen China chief toured Xinjiang plant on Feb 16-17Carmaker contractually bound to plant until 2030Company notes 'more repressive approach' in region since 2015No indication of forced labour on visit - China chiefPlant no longer assembling cars, 65% staff cutBERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is contractually committed to its plant in Xinjiang until 2030, it said on Tuesday, after its China chief made the first visit by senior management to the plant in mid-February and said he saw no signs of forced labour. Ralf Brandstaetter, who has headed the carmaker's China operations since the middle of last year, spent 1-1/2 days on Feb. 16-17 touring the facility with Volkswagen's compliance and external relations chief in China. I can try and verify the facts [from joint venture partner SAIC], and that's what I did. China has strenuously denied any abuses in Xinjiang. Around 190 workers had also undertaken retraining and qualification programmes at other SAIC plants across China.

☆ Volkswagen sees no sign of forced labor at its plant in Xinjiang
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Volkswagen faced a barrage of criticism from campaigners Tuesday after the head of its Chinese business said he saw no sign of forced labor during a visit to the carmaker’s plant in Xinjiang. Activists and an international group of lawmakers said verifying labor standards in the region was impossible. Rights groups have documented human rights abuses in Xinjiang since the 2000s, including mass forced labor in detention camps which the United Nations said could constitute crimes against humanity. Brandstaetter said he saw no signs of forced labor and that workers’ comments matched the reports Volkswagen had received from SAIC about the plant. Reputational riskVolkswagen says it has never found evidence of forced labor among its Xinjiang workforce and its presence is positive for the local population.

☆ I started selling shoes on Goat to fund my sneaker addiction. Here's why I prefer it to Poshmark despite the high fees.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

I started reselling used sneakers in the summer of 2022 to more easily afford my sneaker addiction. In other words, I started monetizing my used sneaker collection for extra cash to buy new shoes. But I'm keeping my options open, especially if StockX begins to allow the sale of used shoes. I'll certainly take advantage of their periodic promotions on seller fees that I've seen be up to 50% off in the past. The platform offers an easy way to sell shoes quickly that you barely wear or have buyer's remorse over.

☆ Yeezys are still in high demand on the secondary market despite Ye's fallout with Adidas
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Demand for Yeezy sneakers remains high on the secondary market. Impossible Kicks has seen a 30% increase in demand since October, according to CNN Business. But demand for his Yeezy sneakers remains high. Unconfirmed rumors are also swirling around social media that Adidas and Ye may again be joining forces to sell the leftover stock. An Adidas spokesperson declined to comment, adding the company's update on February 9 is the latest it has to share.

☆ A CVS in New York City is turning to specially trained dogs to combat rampant shoplifting
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Retailers across the US are fighting an increase in store theft. In New York City, one non-profit retail trade group has started using dogs to combat the problem. The 34th Street Partnership launched the program in partnership with Stapleton Security Services this month at a local CVS. In an emailed comment to Insider, the 34th Street Partnership Ward said the firm has "initiated the canine patrol as a pilot project and will evaluate its efficacy as it continues. Nationwide, retail theft has become a $95 billion problem for the industry, according to the National Retail Federation's most recent Retail Security Survey.

☆ Brooks CEO is out to prove that running is 'recession resistant'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber expects more people to pick up running now than at the beginning of the pandemic. He told Yahoo Finance that running has been "recession resistant" over the last 30 years. "The future has never been brighter for performance running," Weber said in a statement. Brooks became the top adult performance running brand in the US in January 2022 and finished the year with 21% market share, the company said, citing NPD data. "That's the opportunity we see for Brooks," Weber said last summer.

☆ 6 ways shopping sites trick you into buying more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Avery Hartmans | Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Online retailers use psychological tricks and tools to get consumers to make purchases. But we're shopping online now more than ever before, and these subtle nudges are starting to feel more widespread. Buy online, pick up in storeBuy online, pick up instore was all the rage during the pandemic. So much of how we shop and make purchase decisions is subconscious, he said, and while you may rationally know that scarcity is a marketing tactic, your subconscious doesn't. Tips for avoiding retailers' marketing tricksJust being aware of these marketing tactics isn't enough to protect you from them, Goldberg said.

☆ Under Armour is targeting Gen Z athletes with a shoe that's part training sneaker and part slip-on shoe
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

UA Slipspeed sneaker features a collapsible heel that can be worn as a performance shoe or slide. Slipspeed is designed to adapt to athletes' busy schedules, Under Armour says. The shoe is also part of a new marketing strategy that zeroes in on 16 to 20-year old athletes. The new UA Slipspeed sneaker retails for $150 and features a collapsible heel that can be worn as a slide or performance shoe. The Slipspeed sneaker is key to Under Armour's new marketing strategy.

☆ Crocs are headed for a banner sales season this summer – but not the ones you're thinking of
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Crocs is confident sandals will be the brand's fastest-growing product category in 2023. Sandals are a $310 million business for Crocs, but it wants more of the $30 billion market. Sandals are already a $310 million business for Crocs, but the company wants more of the $30 billion category. "The category also provides an additional entry point to the Crocs brand for consumers who may not choose to engage with the clog," Rees said. For the full year of 2022, Crocs reported 58% growth in revenue to $3.6 billion, including $896 million for the Hey Dude brand.

☆ Adidas is facing a problem even bigger than Yeezy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Danni Santana | Mary Hanbury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Adidas expects sales to drop by $1.28 billion in 2023 if it doesn't sell leftover Yeezy inventory. The company's guidance began on a bleak note with revenue for the year expected to drop after ending its Yeezy partnership. Against this background, Adidas said it is forecasting a decline in the high-single digits in sales in 2023. "The sales decline is about more than just Yeezy," Bernstein analyst Aneesha Sherman wrote in a note to clients early Friday. Cowen estimates the brand earned $1.2 billion in sales last year before Adidas terminated the partnership in October.

☆ Adidas could lose over $750 million as it tries to figure out what do do with its stockpile of Yeezys
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Adidas may lose over $700 million in operating profits in 2023 if it doesn't sell off excess Yeezys. Adidas has said it plans to sell Yeezys without Ye after the business relationship ended in October. According to a company statement Thursday, Adidas stands to lose over $750 million in operating profits in 2023 if it does not sell off excess Yeezy inventory. But fans of Adidas Yeezys are split on whether they would buy the shoes without a Ye connection. Adidas immediately brought its Yeezy business to a halt and asked wholesale partners to do the same.

☆ Why these absurd red boots are suddenly all over TikTok and Twitter — and listing for as much as $1,000 on StockX
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

MSCHF's oversized big red boots, releasing on February 16, have taken social media by storm. The latest viral release from the company is their "Big Red Boot," which goes on sale February 16 for $350. In a release describing the boots, MSCHF said the boots were made of TPUrubber shell, EVA foam, along with 'Red' and 'Big.' MSCHF calls these shoes "Cartoon boots for a Cool 3D World." Big Red Boots are REALLY not shaped like feet, but they are EXTREMELY shaped like boots."

☆ How to snag discounts through Beni, an online shopping tool that hunts for resale deals on Poshmark, eBay, and The RealReal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Beni, a browser extension, helps shoppers curate resale listings while browsing retail sites online. BeniShoppers are required to download the Beni extension on Google Chrome or Safari. Then, they must enable the extension while shopping online to view resale listings. "So let's say you find a Patagonia jacket that you really love, we'd show you 20 jackets often that are exactly the same from places like eBay or The RealReal," Pinner said. In return for real-time listings data, Beni markets new resale items to customers as they shop outside of their platforms.

☆ Hoka shoes have their haters, but their popularity is growing, largely thanks Gen Z and millennial women
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hoka One One grew sales 90% to $352 million in its fiscal third quarter, ending December 31. According to Deckers CEO David Powers, Hoka is seeing significant growth in the 18-34 consumer demographic. Gen Z and millennial women have especially driven sales growth for Hoka by regularly visiting the brand's website to view what's new and purchasing shoes, Powers said. "But you're seeing teenage girls and boys trading from traditional athletic brands into Hoka and raving about it." Deckers company sales grew to $1.3 billion in the third quarter, increasing 13% compared to the same period last year.

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