Netflix recently released The Playlist — a short series re-enactment of Spotify’s founding story. It’s really good. Go watch it. The series highlights one of Spotify’s many problems: a lack of profitability. The Report: Missed the mark Yesterday, Spotify reported earnings that sent its stock down 13%. 456M monthly active users (up 20% from a…
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Consumers shun plant-based meats as inflation hits wallets
Plant-based meat alternatives have been one of the fastest-growing food trends in recent years. These meat substitutes have popped up everywhere, from McDonald’s and Popeyes to your local grocery aisles. Inflation hits plant-based meat sales Refrigerated plant-based meat sales fell 7.2% in the first quarter of 2022 from a year ago. A pound of Beyond…
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Public direct-to-consumer brands have fallen, but here’s where the lasting brands succeed
Getting sold on a “make $1,000 a day working anywhere” drop shipping course? Here’s why you might want to rethink. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands — those that generate the majority of their sales online — have a tough market. Emerging brands like Warby Parker, Allbirds and The Honest Company are all down nearly 80% since going…
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Yoga pants and athleisure apparel is recession resistant — but only for Lululemon
You wouldn’t be able to tell the economy is on the brink of entering a recession from Lululemon’s (NASDAQ:LULU) recent earnings report — which sent $LULU up 6.7% on Friday. $1.87B in sales — up 28.8.% compared to last year and exceeded analyst estimates. 23% increase in same-store sales — above the 17.9% estimate. What’s…
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FDA Lights Up Altria’s $13B Juul Investment
Last week, tobacco companies were under attack from Biden and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — destroying billions in tobacco giant Altria’s market cap. Whatever’s left of Altria’s $13B investment in Juul is at risk of getting torched. Vapes were meant to help reduce smoking… Instead, it helped a generation become addicted to e-cigarettes….
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Can CEO Howard Schultz make Starbucks Grande again?
Howard Schultz left Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) in 2017 in seemingly good hands. In April, he returned as interim CEO – his third return – to face freshly brewed issues. Despite reporting strong Q2 earnings – the unionization train is barreling towards the company’s bottom line. A tall order to fill Starbucks has seen a post-pandemic shift…
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Consumers feel the pinch with surging prices
Investors are starting to worry about the impacts of lower consumer spending — as the US reported consumer spending falling 0.4% last week. What’s the big deal? Companies have gotten away with price increases in the past year — but consumers may be reaching their limits. As a result of inflation, over 50% of adults…
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Peloton’s terrible 2021 capped off with a fictional character dying
Last week, an airing of “Sex and the City” reboot (spoiler ALRT) sent Peloton (NASDAQ:PTON) down 5% before recovering its losses yesterday. What’s the big deal? Peloton, a pandemic winner of last year — turned loser this year — was the cause of death of fictional character Mr. Big from Sex and the City. In…
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Allbirds IPO: Future of sustainable brands depends on Generation-Z’s habits
Can a massive waste problem and Gen-Z’s love for sustainability translate into investor returns? We’re about to find out — with the stock market debut of Allbirds, the sustainability apparel brand. What Gen-Z habits tell us about the future Consumers are more mindful about sustainability — and Gen-Zs are leading the way. 9 out of…
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Investors get defensive with tobacco stocks — Altria’s eye-popping 7.4% dividend
What might be more addictive than tobacco is the sweet 7.4% dividend yield paid by tobacco giant, Altria. But some investors might have to quit cold turkey. On September 9th, the FDA will announce which vape products can stay on the market – deciding the fate of hundreds of tobacco companies in the process. The…
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