While artificial intelligence (AI) has infiltrated our search results, impacted customer service with mixed results, and touched our lives in lots of minor ways, its impact hasn’t changed most people’s everyday lives. And while many people fear an AI-driven Terminator-style apocalyptic future, that hasn’t happened quite yet either. In reality, much of the impact of
For months, economists and retailers have warned about the financial strain facing lower- and middle-income consumers. Higher earners, on the other hand, have largely been sheltered from the effects of the rising costs of living. But that may be changing. A growing number of CEOs and industry insiders, from retailers as varied as Walmart and
When Christmas rolls around, my wife puts out a very small tree and some stuffed ornaments we bought a few years ago at Target. That’s a pretty modest approach to decorating for the holidays compared to many of our neighbors. At the house we just moved out of, some homes added tasteful lights, others opted
Pricing alone does not decide where people buy their clothes. With a number of retail chains competing for the off-price, on-trend fashion crown, it’s easy for one brand to fall out of favor. Consumers seem to have an enduring love for Marshalls and TJ Maxx, while the popularity of Ross Dress for Less has grown
The sticker price on a phone stopped being the price anyone actually pays a long time ago. What you pay is a blend of a trade-in credit, a monthly installment, a plan tier you may not have chosen on your own, and a commitment that outlasts most car leases. That structure is why two people
Spectrum, operated by Charter Communications, has received a tough wake-up call from Wall Street as its internet customers continue to cancel their service in significant numbers. In 2025, Spectrum lost more than 400,000 internet customers. That trend continued, with the company losing another 120,000 in the first quarter of this year and 172,000 in the
For decades, shopping at Dollar Tree meant one simple thing: Everything cost exactly $1. That predictable price point was the discount chain’s defining charm. Customers could fill up a cart with household essentials, seasonal decor, and snack foods without having to check price tags or keep a mental tally of their running total. But that
At the start of September, the global network of transportation partners that retail giant Amazon relies upon to process an average of between 15 and 17.2 million delivery orders per day was suddenly thrust into public attention. A cargo plane operated by 21 Air ran off the runway at Miami International in a major accident
When a restaurant changes owners, names, and menus, it may still be serving the public, but that doesn’t mean something hasn’t been lost. When I was a kid, the former Dunkin’ Donuts (now Dunkin’) often took over locations that used to be locally owned doughnut stores. Yes, the new owner still served doughnuts, muffins, and
A coffee shop chain is continuing to shrink its footprint, closing several locations in recent months as it exits some markets. The latest closure marks another shift for a company that has built its identity around creating inclusive workplaces while expanding its presence across the U.S. The move also comes as food-service operators continue to