Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. The Christmas holiday weekend is also huge for the movie box office. And from dream to daily grind - what it really takes to run a successful restaurant.

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. Chicago-based Business Reporter - Jennifer Waters joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Despite early pessimism, shoppers came out in force, driving stronger-than-expected sales and a resilient retail season. The holiday travel rush is on as people head out to be with loved ones - and a Christmas Eve typo turned radar tracking into a Santa legend.

A look at the concept of a sleepcation - a low-effort getaway focused on rest, room service, late mornings, and coming home completely refreshed; why Travel Roulette could cure vacation overthinking; and how a self-imposed hotel tax could help boost Chicago tourism.

A sleepcation is a low-effort getaway focused on rest - room service - late mornings - and coming home completely refreshed. Cindy Richards, editor in chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain...

Christmas is just days away, and last-minute shoppers are flooding stores, hoping retailers still have gifts, deals, and enough selection to finish their holiday lists. After a huge win over Green Bay, the Bears' surge is fueling renewed excitement and delivering a real economic boost across the area. And giving the gift of clarity to your adult children this holiday season—honest conversations that matter most.

Party Fund - Cameo & US/Japan Cars full 1512 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:55:24 +0000 V0QLM4jCwMz4f8ssTldnpEj5XLtjiT8D news Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio news Party Fund - Cameo & US/Japan Cars WBBM devotes an hour each weekday to discussion about the economy and financial markets with some of the top experts in the nation.   2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=https%3A%

You're probably familiar with Cameo, the service that lets you send a personalized message from a celebrity to friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else. Steven Galanis, co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based Cameo, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

A look at the hidden cost of being cheap, why the American mall is staging a comeback, and how popular AI toys for kids could carry hidden dangers this holiday season.

Many malls and shopping venues made a comeback this year as consumers - especially younger shoppers - rediscovered the fun and social connection of in-person shopping. Bob Phibbs, CEO of The Retail Doctor, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Warner Bros. Discovery is rejecting Paramount's hostile takeover bid, calling it inadequate and risky, and saying its Netflix strategy offers stronger long-term value for the company and shareholders. Meanwhile, 2025 is already being called the year of the robo-taxi - and we're taking a look at how social media influencers are playing a growing role in how young people make money decisions.

Social media investing advice is booming - but not all so-called finfluencers are qualified, raising questions about credentials, hidden motives, and whether their wealth is even real. Shane Gornik, a financial advisor with Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Holiday travel with kids can be stressful — especially for first-time parents. Cindy Richards, editor-in-chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

An investigation by Consumer Reports finds Instacart shoppers are unknowingly part of a widespread AI-enabled experiment that prices identical products differently - sometimes by as much as 23 percent - plus ideas on making service a family tradition and getting more out of your next trip by acting like a local.

Making charity part of your annual plan can be as simple as showing up, getting involved, and turning service into a shared family tradition. Ed Gjertsen, certified financial planner and founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

An investigation by Consumer Reports finds shoppers ordering groceries through Instacart are unknowingly part of a widespread AI-enabled experiment that prices identical products differently from one customer to the next - sometimes by as much as 23 percent. Phil Lempert, founder of SupermarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A preview of the busy week ahead on Wall Street, buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears is a big win for bars, media, and the local economy - and whether a promotion without extra pay is worth the effort.

So-called dry, or quiet, promotions are rising as companies add responsibility without extra pay - leaving workers to decide whether the tradeoff is worth it. Jason Wachtel, managing partner at JW Michaels & Co. in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears is surging across the area, as a playoff push and Saturday night's marquee Packers matchup prove to be a big win for bars, media, and the local economy. Marc Ganis, president and co-founder of Sports Corp Limited here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping holiday shopping. Restaurants are becoming part of many people's Christmas tradition, with reservations now a must. We also check in with a Jewish deli ahead of Hanukkah to see what's cooking and how preparations are shaping up.

Experiences are beating out material gifts as more people choose memories over “stuff.” A look at Disney's big investment in AI, and U.S. credit card debt hitting a record high.

Experiences over material gifts are gaining major traction - as more people choose memories over “stuff.” It's an especially smart strategy for those hard-to-buy-for types - like Dad. Chicago-based Business Reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

Sometimes, careers are built - or blown up - at office holiday parties, plus the advantages of planning your retirement well before you actually call it quits, and giving the gift of a Chicago food favorite this holiday season.

Sometimes, careers are built - or blown up - at office holiday parties. Rick Cobb, founder of Chicago workplace consulting firm 2-Discern, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

This holiday season, give the DIYer in your life tools they'll actually use, explore why the holidays can be a great time to buy a home, and consider a beach escape for the most peaceful Christmas you'll ever have.

This holiday season - give the DIYer in your life tools they'll actually use, explore why the holidays can be a great time to buy a home, and consider a beach escape for the most peaceful Christmas you'll ever have.

McDonald's is betting on holiday nostalgia and novelty with its new Grinch Meal. Paramount Skydance makes a bold hostile push to buy Warner Bros. Discovery outright. And the people who keep Chicago moving take center stage in a new WTTW special - we talked with the special's host, Geoffrey Baer.

Chicago's reputation as “The City That Works” comes to life in a new WTTW special that spotlights the everyday workers who power the city's grit and resilience. Geoffrey Baer, the show's host, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

We visit a neighborhood toy store that's successfully competing with the big boys, talk with the CEO of a fast-growing restaurant chain that's truly on the move, and how Sunday's Bears-Packers matchup is one of the biggest in years.

U.S. Soccer hopes next year's World Cup sparks a new era for the men's program. We'll also look at how to pick up the restaurant tab without any drama - it's all about planning ahead and keeping it smooth - and why weighing the “relocation factor” has become a critical step when deciding whether to accept a new job.

Picking up the restaurant tab without drama comes down to planning ahead and keeping it smooth. Doug Roth, Founder and President of Playground Hospitality in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key tips.

Payroll processing giant ADP says private employers cut 32,000 jobs last month, driven by steep small-business losses. Taking care of financial housekeeping in the final weeks of the year - including an audit of your credit cards - can potentially provide “a financial boost.”

There are some smart end-of-year money moves people can make right now. Shane Gornik, Financial Advisor with Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

It's Giving Tuesday - a day to give back through donations, volunteer time, and simple acts that make a meaningful impact. It's also a moment to recognize the people who “hold together the workplace” but often go unnoticed. And solo travel is booming - especially for women.

Artificial intelligence is emerging seemingly everywhere - leading to a common question. Should you tell your boss you use AI at work? Experts say yes, and warn that companies risk falling behind if they ignore this powerful productivity tool. Jason Wachtel, Managing Partner at JW Michaels & Company here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

It's Cyber Monday - and analysts say sales could top a record-breaking 14-billion dollars. A holiday puppy or kitten may seem perfect, but experts warn pet gifting brings lifelong costs and responsibilities many families aren't prepared for. And it was a huge weekend at the movie box office.

A holiday puppy or kitten may seem perfect - but experts warn that pet gifting comes with life-long costs and responsibilities many families aren't prepared for. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain…

Black Friday is here - but does it still pack the same punch in an age of online deals, early sales, and shifting shopper habits? Travelers can also score big this holiday shopping weekend with deals on hotels, airfares, cruises, and vacation packages. And from pre-lit trees to signature scents - we meet a true holiday products trailblazer.

Today is like Black Friday for grocery stores, as shoppers rush to finish their final prep for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast. Bars across the country are also gearing up for one of their busiest nights of the year. And after tomorrow's dinner, families might consider a tough but important conversation - future finances and plans for mom and dad as they get older.

The day before Thanksgiving is like Black Friday for grocery stores, as shoppers rush to finish their final preparations for the big holiday feast. Phil Lempert, founder of SupermarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A look at retail ahead of the prime-time holiday shopping season, how families are using the Thanksgiving table for vacation planning, and why home sellers are pulling listings at the fastest pace in nearly a decade.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to plan a multi-gen trip - and make sure everyone, kids included, has real skin in the game. Mark Wolters of the Wolters World Travel and Culture YouTube channel - and Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…