Consumer

Exclusive news, analysis, and commentary on consumer-facing sectors, like sellers of clothing, food, and electronics.

Markets

Coffee and Chocolate Are the Reigning Commodity Kings

Photo by Chevanon Photography via Pexels

The tight supply of both beans meant trading prices were extremely volatile, and the result was that cocoa almost tripled in price last year.

2 min read

Photo by Tim Mossholder via Pexels

Consumer

Florida Oranges are Doing So Badly a Tropicana Supplier is Ditching its Citrus Business

Alico, a major supplier to Tropicana, announced Monday that it is sunsetting its citrus business in the Sunshine State.

1 min read
Photo by Paloma A. via Unsplash

Consumer

Will the Drink Industry’s Hangover Last Through 2025?

In a 2023 Gallup survey, 62% of American adults under 35 said they drink alcohol, down from 72% twenty years earlier.

2 min read
Photo by Energepic.com via Pexels

Consumer

Loser of 2024: The Luxury Market

Luxury brands were riding the subway instead of lounging in limos this year, though a couple of brands were able to buck the trend.

1 min read

Consumer

Is the Restaurant Industry at the End of an Era?

Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by Vlad Yushinov and Choness via iStock

Across-the-board inflation — including food costs, labor costs, and real estate costs — is pummeling restaurants. Can the industry survive?

6 min read

Consumer

Walmart-Backed Fintech Scores Big Funding Round

Photo by Walmart Corporate via CC BY 2.0

Besides being your one-stop-retail-shop for everything, Walmart would like to be your virtual banker, too.

1 min read

Consumer

Stoli’s US Bankruptcy is Just the Latest Sign of Hard Times for Spirits

Photo by Watts via CC BY 2.0

Stoli Group USA, the maker of the eponymous vodka, had bankruptcy protection to be thankful for during last week’s holiday.

2 min read