Consumer

Consumer

Another No Good, Very Bad Year for Retail Stores

Photo via imageBROKER/Jochen Tack/Newscom

As of early December, US retail store closures were up 13.2% from the same period in 2024, according to a report from Coresight Research.

1 min read

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Consumer

Online Shoppers, Say Goodbye to Free Returns

In the US, 72% of merchants charge for at least some return options, up from 66% last year, according to a recent report.

1 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Consumer

Consumer Spending Surge Sets Stage for Year-End Market Rally

Commerce Department data released this week showed US GDP rose 4.3% in the third quarter, with the American consumer to thank for it.

2 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Consumer

Elliott Takes $1 Billion Stake in Lululemon, Swaying CEO Search

Activist fund Elliott Management has built up a $1 billion stake in once-swaggering Lululemon and is working to influence its CEO search.

2 min read

Industries

JetBlue Courts First-Class Clientele With Pre-Flight Upgrade

Photo via JetBlue

The airline is set to open its first ever premium airport lounge, dubbed the BlueHouse, to host high-income flyers in Terminal 5 at JFK.

2 min read

Consumer

Thrifting for Gifting: How Gen Zers Manage Holiday Shopping Budgets

Photo by AnnaStills via iStock

Gone are the days where you had to wander endless thrift stores and sift through racks to find the perfect pair of previously owned jeans.

2 min read

Photo via Dirk Shadd/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Media & Entertainment

Callaway Unwinds Sub-Par Acquisition of Topgolf

The deal values Topgolf at $1.1 billion, roughly half of what Callaway paid for the entertainment brand in 2020.

2 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Consumer

Butterball Battle Begins for Retailers Rolling Out Holiday Deals

Target on Wednesday said its meal kit for four will cost less than $20 this year before tax, or about $5 a person.

2 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photos by Sabelskaya and Gyzele via iStock

Economics

US Tariffs Chew a Hole in Retailers’ (and Shoppers’) Christmas Stockings

The US has basically imposed tariffs on Christmas this year: Trees, ornaments and even gifts. Now, both shoppers and sellers feel Grinchy.

6 min read

Indicators

Private Employers Add 42,000 Jobs, Marking First Net Gain Since Summer

Photo via Olivia Sun/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Overall employment was likely roughly flat in October due to layoffs in the federal government amid the longest shutdown in history.

1 min read

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