Podcasts about shoppers

Ray White speaks to tech expert, Siphumelele Zondi, about the rapid rise of AI-powered shopping in South Africa, where nearly eight in ten consumers are now using these tools, and how this digital shift is reshaping retail strategies—from TFG’s strong growth in Bash to Sixty60’s plans to expand its network of dark stores across Gauteng to meet rising on-demand demand. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every now and then, I like to hop into the wayback machine and share a fresh listen to conversations that influenced our current times. The one you are going to register to today was recorded live in 2014 from DIEM, Design Intersects Everything Made symposium presented by the West Hollywood Design District featuring Frances Anderton, then with KCRW ad Jeff Denby, co-founder and then with Pact. A clothing brand you will be hearing more about.  The following conversation was focused on values based capitalism, an economic model with which places value on profit generation that also generates positive social impact. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep Shelter Republic – Request your membership invitation As you listen to this chat between Frances and Jeff, you might notice the “feel-good” vibes and high ideals that come from a focus on values based consumerism patterns. Buy well-made products that come from sustainably based materials and made by people who are valued to those producing the products and then by those who buy the product. At the time of this recording, this idea was catching on and even now, companies that have a value-system connected directly to products speak openly about the social capital being generated. I would argue we hear far less now because sustainability has been linked politically to DEI, and there is a group of people who see that has more of a social ill, than a societal benefit. I'm not here to change any minds, only share different perspectives. And this is one worth sharing with the hope that it will make a return, not just in fashion or consumer packaged goods, but in the home decor and architectural materials sectors. Consumer Awareness Evolution How Whole Foods and the food industry educated consumers about product origins. Extension of that curiosity to body care and apparel: understanding what goes on the skin and into daily wear. The role of design in making sustainable products attractive and desirable. Philanthropy and Social Impact Early collaborations with nonprofits through limited-edition collections and direct aid. Shift toward improving the lives of workers within the supply chain. Emphasis on economic, environmental, and social impact as part of the business model. Challenges of Domestic Manufacturing Difficulties of reviving large-scale apparel production domestically, including labor costs, fractured supply chains, and compliance issues. Comparison with global supply chains and the decision to work where systems already exist. Insights from attempts at localized production and the challenges of sustainable sourcing. Product Expansion and Market Strategy Focus on apparel basics for the emerging generation of socially conscious consumers. Building a generational brand by appealing to evolving values. Commitment to price accessibility while maintaining sustainability and ethical production. Supply Chain Ethics and Certification Working exclusively with certified factories and farms to ensure fair labor practices. Ensuring worker protections and representation, including female supervisors. Direct engagement with farmers and supply chain partners to secure market access and stability. Sustainability and Waste Management Recycling factory scraps and leftover materials into new products. Finding secondary uses for garment remnants, including mattress filling. Factories incentivized to reduce waste as part of both economic and environmental sustainability. Consumer Education and Transparency Educating customers about the human and environmental story behind clothing. Leveraging social media, coalition branding, and events to communicate supply chain practices. Positioning Pact as a non-toxic apparel brand with safe-for-skin products. Research and Industry Collaboration Participation in textile and sustainability coalitions with like-minded brands. Supporting the growth of organic cotton farming and sustainable supply chains. Promoting transparency in manufacturing practices and educating the public on chemical exposure in conventional apparel. Ethical apparel requires intentional design, transparent supply chains, and collaboration across the industry. Consumers increasingly demand products that are safe, well-designed, and socially responsible. Philanthropy is most effective when integrated into the core business, benefiting both workers and communities. Scaling sustainability in mass-market apparel is challenging but possible with careful planning, partnerships, and public education. Conscious Basics: How Textiles Can Be Ethical, Sustainable, and Stylish In an era when consumers increasingly demand transparency and ethical responsibility, Pact is reshaping the apparel industry by marrying sustainability, social impact, and thoughtful design. Co-founder Jeff Denby spoke with Frances Anderton in 2014 about the philosophy behind the brand, tracing a journey from organic cotton farms in India to certified factories in Turkey, all with the goal of delivering high-quality, accessible clothing that respects both people and the planet. Denby notes that consumer awareness has evolved in stages. Shoppers first became curious about food origins, learning that groceries come from farms, not just shelves. This consciousness extended to body care products, as people began asking what they were putting on their skin. Apparel is the next frontier. “People want to know what they're wearing every day,” Denby explains. “They want products that are beautifully designed, sustainable, and safe, without having to reinvent what underwear or socks should look like.” Early in Pact's history, the company experimented with philanthropic partnerships, designing collections that supported nonprofit causes. These initiatives provided aid to communities abroad, from distributing lanterns in Haiti to rebuilding community centers in Japan. However, Denby realized the brand could make a deeper impact by focusing inward—supporting the lives of the workers who create the products. By investing in stable, ethical supply chains, Pact achieves a triple bottom line: economic, social, and environmental benefits. Reviving large-scale apparel manufacturing in the United States proved impractical for Pact. Labor costs, fractured supply chains, and limited domestic processing infrastructure made it impossible to produce affordable basics at scale. Instead, the brand partnered with existing factories abroad, ensuring they meet strict certifications such as the Global Organic Textile Standard. Denby emphasizes that these certifications guarantee fair labor practices, gender equity, and safe working conditions—factors often overlooked in conventional apparel production. Beyond ethical sourcing, Pact prioritizes product safety and environmental responsibility. Cotton cultivation and traditional textile processing can involve significant pesticide use and harmful chemicals. Pact works with organic cotton farmers and certified dye houses, eliminating heavy metals and carcinogens from their products. Waste management is also integral; leftover yarn and fabrics are recycled into new garments or repurposed for other industries, demonstrating that sustainability extends from field to factory to finished product. Denby envisions Pact as the “basics brand for the change generation,” appealing to consumers who value ethics, transparency, and design. The brand is part of a coalition with other sustainable apparel companies, collaborating to secure fair market access for farmers, grow organic cotton production, and educate the public on the human stories behind clothing. Social media and events provide direct channels to communicate these values, allowing consumers to engage with the brand and understand the people and processes behind the garments they wear. For Pact, the mission goes beyond selling clothing. It is about proving that everyday apparel can be ethical, well-designed, and accessible, while creating meaningful social impact. By integrating philanthropy, sustainability, and consumer education into the business model, Pact is showing that the basics—underwear, socks, and t-shirts—can carry a powerful message: that fashion can be responsible, thoughtful, and inclusive.

What if your biggest mattress sale strategy is actually scaring away Gen X buyers with the most money? The data says it's true. Here's why.Are your mattress marketing tactics stuck in the past? In this episode, Mark Kinsley sits down with Nicole Bergen of Elevate—one of the sleep industry's top consumer research experts—to reveal the hidden disconnect between what retailers think works and what actually matters to today's most powerful buyers: Gen X.Nicole shares eye-opening data from thousands of consumer interviews, exposing why relentless discounting and “NASCAR” promos don't work on shoppers aged 45-55. Instead, assurance and trust—like comfort guarantees and real customer reviews—win the sale. You'll learn why most brands overlook Gen X, despite their massive buying power, and how failing to update your playbook means losing sales to online giants.Ever wondered why your brand awareness is high but conversions are low? Nicole decodes the essential marketing funnel—attention, education, offer—and reveals the number one mistake retailers make (and how you can fix it with a simple brand health “timeout”).If you've ever struggled to connect with skeptical, research-driven customers or feared you're wasting ad dollars, this episode gives you the playbook to pivot. Plus: actionable tips for leveraging data, optimizing for generative AI, and turning happy buyers into raving ambassadors.Timestamps:- 01:35 – The hidden problem with mattress marketing: why Gen X tunes out- 04:30 – How relentless promos are killing in-store joy (and trust)- 06:58 – The power of assurance: Why guarantees beat discounts for big-ticket buyers- 09:40 – “Top of funnel” secrets: What attracts attention in 2024- 12:50 – Why your ad recall is broken (and how to fix it)- 17:55 – The market-by-market myth: Why what works in Cincinnati fails in Houston- 21:15 – The “Timeout Playbook” for brand clarity (and avoiding costly mistakes)- 27:40 – Data traps: The ROAS lie and how to spot media waste- 31:20 – Unlocking Gen X: Winning strategies for the new power buyer- 36:45 – Problem-agitate-solution: Messaging that turns skeptics into buyersConnect with The FAM Podcast:

Jim McTague reports on consumer behavior at a Costco in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, following Memorial Dayweekend. He observes that despite a significant drop in gas prices, the store remained unusually empty. McTaguesuggests that shoppers are becoming increasingly budget-conscious and picky, intentionally reducing their consumption costs even as the holiday rush subsides.1945 PENNSYLVANIA

Molly and Chloe both spoke to Jacqui Felgate about the frightening experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affirm's buy now, pay later service offers shoppers a transparent alternative to credit cards. It tells consumers up-front what monthly charge they face, promises no late fees or hidden charges – and in many cases offers a zero percent interest rate. Co-founder and chief executive Max Levchin reveals how the business originated in his own “painful” experiences with credit cards, and how AI-powered shopping agents could supercharge its future.Background:Scottish Mortgage first invested in Affirm in 2019, when it was still a private company.Today, the listed business provides credit to millions of customers across the US, Canada and the UK when they make online and offline purchases, and it has its sights set on further expansion and taking a greater share of business away from the incumbents in the credit card industry.“No one loves thinking about money because it's a drag, it's complicated,” Levchin tells investment manager Tom Slater in this interview. “It doesn't have to be this way. And we've proven that for our little niche, big as it is… we can alleviate the burden.”In this podcast, the two discuss how Levchin came to build Affirm after his prior success at PayPal, the technology that underpins the company's ability to tailor loans to each customer and purchase, why merchants are keen to cover the cost of zero percent credit from a third party, and how AI-powered shopping agents could impact the firm. Timecodes:00:03 Coming up…00:48 Introduction02:25 Max Levchin interview begins02:51 A transparent alternative to credit cards04:05 A threatened amputation08:52 Lessons from PayPal11:44 Returning to the world of fintech14:28 A terrible credit card experience18:15 Attracting early investors22:14 How Affirm works25:48 The appeal to merchants28:36 Focusing on the Affirm Card31:23 Underwriting data provides a ‘powerful moat'35:41 Why permit credit for luxury purchases?39:25 Listening to your gut42:20 How big could Affirm get?45:39 AI agentic shopping48:54 What the world looks like if Affirm fulfils its mission50:38 Claire Shaw and Tom Slater on the investment case57:35 Podcast lookaheadGlossary (in order of mention):Point-of-sale lending: Credit offered at the moment a customer buys something, either online or in a shop.Network effects: The effect where a product or service becomes more valuable as more people or businesses use it.Fintech: Technology-driven financial services, such as digital payments, lending or banking tools.Charge-off: When a lender writes off a debt as unlikely to be repaid, usually damaging the borrower's credit record.Delinquent/delinquency: A loan or credit account becomes delinquent when the borrower is late making required payments.IPO: Initial public offering: the process by which a private company lists its shares on a public stock market.Accrued interest: Interest that has built up over time on a loan or balance.CMO: Chief marketing officer, the executive responsible for a company's marketing strategy.Competitive moat: A durable advantage that makes it hard for competitors to copy or overtake a business.Cash flow: The movement of money into and out of a person's or company's accounts.Total addressable market: The total revenue opportunity available if a company could reach all possible customers for its product.Operating expense: Day-to-day business spending, such as salaries, rent or marketing.AI agent: An AI system that can carry out tasks or make decisions on a user's behalf.Net promoter score: A customer loyalty measure based on how likely users are to recommend a company or product.Flywheel: A business dynamic where one improvement drives another, creating self-reinforcing growth.Read the transcript.Check the podcast description to ensure this content is suitable for you. Your capital is at risk. Presenter: Claire ShawExecutive Producer: Leo KelionLine producer: Jessica RooneyBroadcast Technician: Samual O'Hare Editor: Jody Black Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Day in Legal History: The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924On this day in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, also called the Snyder Act, declaring that all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States were U.S. citizens. It is one of those laws that sounds, in retrospect, like it cannot possibly have been necessary — and yet it was. For most of the country's first 150 years, the federal government treated Native people as members of separate sovereign nations whose status under American law was, at best, ambiguous. Earlier vehicles for citizenship — the Fourteenth Amendment, the Dawes Act, military service in World War I — had reached only some Native people, and a string of Supreme Court decisions had taken the position that being born inside the United States to a member of a tribe did not, on its own, make a person a citizen.The Snyder Act fixed that with a single sentence.What it did not fix was voting: many states continued to bar Native citizens from the ballot for decades afterward, on a variety of pretexts that were eventually struck down one by one. The Act also did not affect tribal citizenship — Native people are dual citizens of their tribe and the United States, which is part of why federal Indian law continues to occupy a separate doctrinal universe. June 2 is a quietly important date on the calendar of American citizenship, and a reminder that the seemingly obvious questions of who counts as an American have, for long stretches of our history, not been obvious at all.Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday that his office has filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, arguing that the company is misleading parents about the safety of ChatGPT and pointing to incidents in which young users were allegedly nudged toward violence by the chatbot. The complaint follows a criminal investigation Uthmeier's office opened in April, after a deadly mass shooting at Florida State University in 2025 that the AG says ChatGPT helped facilitate. Florida is asking for civil penalties and an order forcing OpenAI to redesign the product, including adding meaningful parental controls.The legal angle here is essentially a state consumer-protection theory: a state attorney general claiming that the company's marketing of a product as safe-for-kids is deceptive, and that the company is therefore on the hook under the state's unfair-trade laws. Whether that survives a motion to dismiss is going to depend a lot on whether the court treats ChatGPT as a “product” in the traditional sense — software has, for decades, gotten more leeway than physical products under product-liability law, and Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act has historically immunized platforms for what users post.The new wrinkle is that generative AI doesn't fit neatly into either bucket — ChatGPT produces its own output rather than hosting somebody else's — and several courts are now beginning to grapple with that distinction. Expect this case to be one of the early test cases for how AI companies get sued in the U.S.Florida AG Sues OpenAI, Says ChatGPT Spurs Violence | Law360The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal from asbestos victims who had challenged a corporate bankruptcy tactic known as the “Texas Two-Step” — leaving in place a Fourth Circuit ruling that lets companies use the maneuver to corral mass-tort claims into bankruptcy court.The Two-Step works like this: a healthy company splits itself into two using a Texas state-law provision that allows divisional mergers, dumps its asbestos or talc or opioid liabilities into the newly created spinoff, and then puts only the spinoff into Chapter 11. The result is that injury claimants get herded into a bankruptcy proceeding where their leverage is sharply limited, even though the parent company that actually caused the harm is still solvent and operating.The case the Supreme Court turned away involved Bestwall, a spinoff of Georgia-Pacific that has been in Chapter 11 since 2017. The Third Circuit threw out a similar Johnson & Johnson talc-unit bankruptcy in 2023 on the ground that the spinoff wasn't actually in financial distress, but the Fourth Circuit went the other way in this case, and the Supreme Court's denial of review leaves that split standing for now. The bigger picture: a powerful settlement-shaping tool stays on the menu for corporate defendants facing waves of mass-tort litigation, and the next big talc, opioid, or asbestos defendant looking to manage a docket of claims now knows the Two-Step is at least available in the Fourth Circuit.Justices Won't Hear Challenge To ‘Texas Two-Step' Ch. 11 | Law360A group of IKEA customers filed a proposed class action against the Swedish retailer Monday in U.S. federal court, arguing that they overpaid for furniture during the period when President Trump's import tariffs were in effect — tariffs that the Supreme Court has since struck down — and that they are entitled to a share of the refunds the company will now collect from the federal government. It is one of the first big consumer-side cases to follow the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, and the legal theory is novel: importers paid the tariffs, then passed those costs through to consumers in the form of higher sticker prices, and now that the government is sending refunds back to importers, the customers who effectively bore the cost are asking for a piece of that money.Some major shippers like FedEx and UPS have already publicly committed to passing tariff refunds back to their customers; IKEA, the suit alleges, has not. Whether the claim survives depends largely on whether the court is willing to treat the relationship between retailer and customer as something like a constructive trust or unjust enrichment, rather than an arm's-length sale at a final price. If even one of these cases succeeds, expect copycat suits against every other large importer that quietly built tariff costs into retail prices over the last several years.IKEA customers sue for share of Trump tariff refunds | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Shoppers usually head to discount stores in search of bargain on groceries and basics, but these sales are on the decline at Dollar General stores. The CEO saying customers are cutting back on household expenses. To find out why, KCBS Radio Anchor Holly Quan spoke with Bloomberg's Kristina Peterson.

Costco (COST) continues to show steady growth, though Brett Husslein notes that price investments in food staples are causing a slight dip in gross margins. Meanwhile, Matthew Todd highlights how high-income shoppers remain resilient, driving a shift in consumer behavior that benefits value retailers like Dollar Tree (DLTR).======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Online shoppers across the country are going to be faced with a new customs charge from the first of July. The fee will be applied if you purchase a good worth €150 or less from outside the EU.The Revenue has also warned that a new €3 customs duty charge will apply to each individual item in a parcel bought online from non-EU countries, including the UK.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Technology Journalist, Emmet Ryan...

Val Glasscock, Manage of the Market in Texas Corners, give us a rundown on Saturday vendors, entertainment and special attractions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode #1356: Today we unpack the million buyers who've quietly exited the new-car market, why off-lease inventory is finally rebounding (briefly), and how America's new “premium economy” is changing the way consumers spend, travel and shop. Show Note...

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1356: Today we unpack the million buyers who've quietly exited the new-car market, why off-lease inventory is finally rebounding (briefly), and how America's new “premium economy” is changing the way consumers spend, travel and shop.Show Notes with links:A million Americans have quietly exited the new-car market and the shrinking pool of buyers is raising long-term concerns for dealers and OEMs alike.Analysts say roughly one million prospective buyers have defected from the new-car market since 2020 as average transaction prices hover near $50,000 and financing costs remain stubbornly high.Pre-pandemic U.S. sales regularly topped 17 million vehicles annually. Now the industry is bracing for about 16 million sales this year with little confidence the old highs will return anytime soon.Instead of chasing volume with discounts, automakers are leaning into profitable trucks and SUVs. Selling fewer vehicles at higher margins has become an unexpectedly comfortable business model for Detroit.“I don't want to say automakers are OK with this level of sales, but they kind of are.” — Ivan Drury, Edmunds analystVolvo commercial chief Erik Severinson didn't mince words: “This is a real threat to the whole industry… people are not able to buy new cars.”The off-lease floodgates are finally reopening… kind of. Nearly 500,000 more lease returns are expected to hit the used-car market this year, but analysts say the glory days of leasing still aren't coming back anytime soon.Edmunds says off-lease volume is expected to jump nearly 26% year-over-year in 2026 with another 400,000 units expected in 2027 as the industry slowly recovers from the leasing collapse of the pandemic years.After 2027, off-lease inventory is expected to level off because leasing volumes never fully recovered after COVID-era shortages and rising prices.Leasing penetration peaked around 29% before COVID but cratered to just 18% in 2022 as inventory shortages and high prices crushed affordability. Even now, lease activity remains well below historic norms.Edmunds says the leasing slowdown is reshaping the used-car business because many mainstream vehicles no longer produce the steady stream of predictable off-lease inventory dealers once relied on.Ivan Drury: “Without a major shift in incentives toward leasing, we are likely to be stuck in this stifled state of leasing for the foreseeable future.”Forget the “K-shaped economy.” Some economists say America is now a “premium economy” where consumers can't afford houses or retirement, but they can afford upgraded flights, better groceries and premium experiences.More Americans are entering the upper-middle class, but home ownership and retirement still feel out of reach for many younger consumers.The upper-middle class has grown from 10% of families in 1979 to 31% in 2024, according to research from the American Enterprise Institute.Instead of buying homes, consumers are spending on smaller “premium” upgrades like travel, concerts and nicer retail experiences. Delta and United captured more than 90% of airline profits last year while Spirit struggled.Walmart has become a major winner by improving stores, delivery and curbside pickup, pulling shoppers away from lower-cost competitors like Dollar General.Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta predicts the economy could eventually shift from “K-shaped” to “C-shaped” as lower inflation and AI-driven productivity help consumer spending “converge” and be more balanced across income levels.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Can you imagine asking the free sample servers for specific requests?!

WBZ NewsRadio's Jim MacKay reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TTT. Target Shoppers Kill Us On Doomsday.Welcome back to our Riordanverse readalong and analysis podcast!! Here's SZN22 Episode 7, where we discuss chapters 31-35 of The Tyrant's Tomb. Good luck to everyone who is neurotypical, this episode is a doozy; we discuss EVERYTHING! Off Campus; why bicycles were invented by Satan; how to read spicy books on the train… need I go on? We hope you'll join us next week for chapters 36-40 of The Tyrant's Tomb as we continue our Trials of Apollo journey!!! xx Kate & Jo::SOCIALS::Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damsnackbarpod/ (@damsnackbarpod) Send us an IrisMessage to join our community. Email us at damsnackbarpod@outlook.com All of our other social media is linked here: https://linktr.ee/damsnackbarpod

Faran Krentcil, Business of Fashion columnist and founder of fashionista.com, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss brands creating custom red carpet looks. Why create the pieces and not make them available for purchase? What are companies expecting from red carpet looks? Faran answers these questions and more! To stay up to date on […]

Premium denim stands apart through fabric quality, stitching consistency, and fit retention — not just branding. Here are the details that reveal whether denim is genuinely worth the price. To learn more, visit https://jendue.com/ Jendue City: Boca Raton Address: 6000 Glades Road Website: https://jendue.com/ Phone: +1-561-372-9111 Email: Cenk@jendue.com

May 18, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson spoke with Nolan Finley, a Detroit News columnist. They discussed the Michigan Education Association's endorsement hesitation in the Democratic primary. Mike Duggan's independent candidacy added to the race's complexity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've been told to brace for higher food prices as pressure on fuel continues. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been checking out the latest figures and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Opposition prepares to hand down its budget reply, which will tie Australia's migrant intake to the number of new houses being built.

The Opposition prepares to hand down its budget reply, which will tie Australia's migrant intake to the number of new houses being built.

Powersports dealers are introducing financing discussions earlier in the buying process as affordability concerns and economic uncertainty shape consumer behavior during the industry's peak selling season. May is one of the most important sales periods for powersports dealers as warmer weather drives demand for motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides, Synchrony Outdoors Senior Vice President and General Manager Susan Medrano told Auto Finance News during a special episode of “The Roadmap” podcast.  “It's important because that buying window for peak season is so narrow,” she said. “If the consumer doesn't purchase during that window, they may not purchase till next year.”  This year, affordability pressures are changing how consumers approach purchases, with about 81% of shoppers focused on financing options when making large purchases, Medrano said, citing Synchrony's 2025 Major Purchase Study, Modern buying trends Buyers also are researching financing options before visiting dealerships and are increasingly focused on monthly payments and loan terms, Medrano said. “The financing starts much sooner in the process,” she said. “Consumers are educating themselves before they ever get there.”  That has spurred dealers to discuss financing on the showroom floor instead of waiting until customers reach the finance office, Medrano said. “If it's the monthly payment, for example, they could talk about the different terms that would be available, whether it's 36 months or it's 84 months, and the difference that makes to the consumer,” she said. “The same with total ticket price.” Those conversations allow dealers to tailor promotional APRs, repayment terms and add-ons to that customer, Medrano said. Flexible financing Flexible financing is increasingly important as dealers work to convert shoppers during the compressed seasonal sales window, Medrano said. “The worst thing that can happen is you get a customer to a finance desk and then they get sticker shock over the payment,” she said.  Synchrony also encourages digital applications and mobile approval tools that allow customers to apply for financing before or during dealership visits, Medrano said. “We're trying to make the buying process as frictionless as possible,” she said. Subscribe to “The Roadmap Podcast” on iTunes or Spotify, or download the episode. 

The Opposition prepares to hand down its budget reply, which will tie Australia's migrant intake to the number of new houses being built.

The government is introducing bigger fines for businesses that mislead shoppers. Non-compliant businesses will face penalties of up to $5million. Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The central theme of this discourse elucidates the ongoing transformation within the furniture market, characterized by an alarming trend: the gradual disappearance of the middle segment. As economic pressures mount due to escalating costs of everyday necessities, a significant portion of consumers, particularly those at the lower end of the income spectrum, find themselves increasingly constrained in their discretionary spending capabilities. This contraction has led to a discernible shift in purchasing behaviors, with higher-income consumers pursuing value-driven options, thereby compelling producers to adapt by elevating their market positioning. Concomitantly, the episode delves into the ramifications of recent tariff fluctuations, which, while initially perceived as advantageous, ultimately contribute to a climate of uncertainty and volatility in the industry. Furthermore, we examine the alarming decline in brand loyalty within the sector, underscoring a pressing need for furniture companies to cultivate trust and reaffirm their value propositions amidst a landscape rife with competition and shifting consumer priorities.Takeaways:The furniture market is experiencing a significant compression, as both promotional and higher-end producers are vying for a diminishing pool of affluent consumers who prioritize value in their purchases.Recent trends indicate that brand loyalty within the furniture industry is alarmingly low, with approximately 47% of consumers indicating a willingness to purchase unbranded items if they are more cost-effective.The decline in personal savings rates and rising consumer credit card debt are contributing to the financial constraints faced by consumers, thus impacting their discretionary spending in the furniture sector.Tariff volatility is expected to remain a structural characteristic of the global economy, complicating the financial landscape for importers and manufacturers alike as they navigate evolving legal frameworks.High Point Market has demonstrated that companies focusing on intentional buyer engagement rather than mere traffic are witnessing increased attendance and positive market responses, indicating a shift in consumer purchasing behavior.The ongoing trust deficit within the furniture industry is profound, as consumers question whether price relief will materialize, and employees express concerns regarding their relevance in an increasingly automated environment.

For this week's Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels were joined by Katie Thomas from the Kearney Consumer Institute to discuss how shoppers' financial stress is showing up in their shopping habits. KCI recently released its latest Consumer Stress Index, which monitors 24,000 consumers across 12 countries. It looks not only at consumers' financial picture but also at their stress related to geopolitics and government, innovation and technology, food and the environment, and health and education. What's different this year is that it's not just one factor causing consumers to feel stressed. It's the compounding effect of inflation, geopolitical instability and overall uncertainties. "Put these two analyses together — historic stress levels and a population that feels starved of joy — and you get a consumer landscape that continues to defy the standard recessionary playbook," the report said.

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:GameStop stuns the market with a $56 billion cash-and-stock takeover bid for eBay, as Ryan Cohen bets on combining two collectibles-focused platforms into a resale powerhouse.Amazon officially opens its logistics infrastructure to any business in the country, launching Amazon Supply Chain Services with freight, fulfillment, parcel delivery, and more.Kohl's rolls out agentic AI on two fronts: a conversational gift finder for shoppers built on Google Gemini, launching ahead of Mother's Day, and an AI analytics assistant for associates to surface product and sales insights without manual report-pulling.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

Store design used to be about defining a set path for the customer. Today, it is about providing a flexible canvas. Crate and Barrel's VP of Store Design, Nicholas Effler joins Top Retail Expert Cynthia Ortiz to discuss how Crate & Barrel balances historic architecture with the high-tech expectations of the modern shopper. Inside the Episode: - Digital Echoes: How the pace of app-scrolling translates to physical shopping behavior. - Associate Centricity: Why clearing out menial tasks through design is the fastest way to boost sales performance. - Right-Sizing the Fleet: The transition from homogenous 40,000 square foot "cathedrals" to contextual, localized footprints. - Architectural Restraint: The discipline required to modernise historic buildings without losing their soul. Stop building static spaces. Start designing for the fluid shopper.

Shoppers want proof, retailers want performance and better-for-you products must deliver both to win in a more skeptical, value-driven market, according to new research from Eat Well Global

When someone calls your clinic and asks "I just want to know how much you charge for a podiatry appointment" it's easy to panic, discount, or rush the conversation. But that question is rarely about price—it's about certainty. In this episode, I'll give you a simple front desk script that turns price shoppers into booked appointments, without sounding pushy or salesy. Plus, I'll show you how to train your team on it so it actually gets used on real calls.

Our guest on this week's episode is Helaine Rich, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Administration at ePost Global. As the war against Iran is in its seventh week, fuel prices continue to rise. And it is getting to the point where carriers can no longer just simply absorb those costs. So, how have those unexpected costs affected supply chain companies? Senior News Editor Ben Ames discusses with our guest how companies are coping and trying to adjust to these latest uncertainties. Each year, the number of women taking the wheel is rising. Right now, women make up about 9 1/2 percent of truck drivers, according to the Women in Trucking organization. Senior Editor Victoria Kickham reports that as women continue to impact the industry, truck stops are looking to make life on the road better for these women drivers. She shares the top three truck stops nationwide that are tops for best accommodating women truckers.Shoppers can sometimes be fickle. Just a few years ago, most retailers were losing traction with in-store shopping, forcing malls nationwide to close. Now we see a new trend where younger shoppers are returning to store shopping. Ben Ames reposts on a consumer survey he saw this week that found that only 12% of Gen Z and 9% of Millennials this summer plan to shop entirely online this summer, while the rest of shoppers are omnichannel, meaning that 69% of Americans are planning to shop both in-store and online. What does this mean for how companies manage their inventories?Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:ePost GlobalIndustry identifies the top three women-friendly truck stopsYounger consumers stay omnichannel, shun fully digital shoppingVisit DC VelocityVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner

Today I'm joined by Matt Leone, CEO of DriveCentric. Matt breaks down why "tech bloat" is killing dealership margins and how shifting from task management to real-time engagement hubs can stop lead leakage across Sales, F&I, and Service. We also dive into the future of AI agents and why your next "employee" might actually be a machine-learning model. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Lotlinx – Meet LotGPT, your AI Inventory Strategist built exclusively for car dealers. It reveals competitive insights, shopper behavior, and pricing dynamics, and even identifies underperforming VDPs with merchandising recommendations to boost conversion without cutting prices. Put LotGPT to work for your dealership today, totally free, @ here. 2. CDG Circles – A digital peer group for top auto dealers. Private dealer chats. Vendor reviews. Real insights — confidential, compliant, no travel required. Join dealers representing 3,000+ rooftops @ here. 3. DriveCentric – DriveCentric puts dealerships in the Fast Lane to the Customer with a modern engagement platform built to move faster, connect teams, and keep every customer moving forward. Visit @ here to learn more Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 02:40 The Bill That Could Ban Chinese Cars. 05:10 Why Australian Dealers Make Zero On New Cars. 07:10 The Threat Destroying Blue Sky Values. 09:25 Why Toyota Stores Trade For 15X Earnings. 12:50 Why US Trucks Are Safer Than China. 18:10 Dealer Profits Still Double Pre-COVID. 21:50 The One Brand Where Bargains Are Appearing. 24:45 The Smart Lever When New Car Gross Drops. 26:40 Why Salespeople Can't Afford The Cars They Sell. 30:50 The Mercedes Turnaround That Made It Hot Again. 45:55 Infiniti Stores Selling For Zero Blue Sky. Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Stephen Grootes speaks to Clicks CEO Bertina Engelbrecht about Clicks Group’s resilient interim results, highlighting solid earnings growth, a higher dividend, expanding pharmacy and store footprint, strong loyalty programme performance, and how the retailer is navigating intense competition and constrained consumer spending while continuing to invest in growth and sustainability initiatives. In other interviews, Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank talks about the latest SpendTrend26 insights, unpacking how South Africans choose to spend, what they spend on, and when they’re most willing to open their wallets in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shoppers have been dismayed by grocery price rises for years, now there are warnings that food will cost even more as the effects of the Iran war reach consumers. Transporting produce around the country will cost more due to high diesel prices, but farmers don't necessarily get to recoup the surging costs on the farm itself.So how are our farmers faring and when will another round of price hikes reach us at the supermarket check-out? Today, we speak with agricultural business expert Stefan Vogel and to South Australian grain grower Louise Flohr. Featured: Louise Flohr, South Australian grain farmerStefan Vogel, general manager of RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand

Chicago is seeking an emergency motion to vacate the Ford City Mall due to hazardous conditions, including a non-functional fire suppression system and exposed wiring. Shoppers lament the mall's decline but express nostalgia and concern over its potential closure. A developer proposes replacing the mall with four industrial buildings spanning 913,000 square feet, promising hundreds of jobs. Area residents are protesting this plan, preferring the mall's revitalization. The mall has faced issues with shootings and street takeovers, requiring increased police presence. The closure raises concerns about convenience for South Side residents who rely on it for shopping. Alderman Derrick Curtis supports the industrial development, highlighting its economic potential, despite local opposition.

Retail's recovery is real—and the best centers are winning through reinvention. Macerich CEO Jackson Hsieh and CBRE Retail Services Lead Todd Caruso discuss what it takes to create premier destinations today: complementary tenant mix, compelling anchors and using experience + technology to drive traffic and performance.· Retail underwriting now hinges on a small set of KPIs that illuminate performance.· Trade‑area analytics help focus capital on the right assets.· Anchor tenant strategies and discipline about occupier selection translate into pricing power.· Mobile data helps property owners maximize asset performance.· Leasing velocity drives NOI growth.

Furniture.com is a new kind of furniture marketplace: a single platform aggregating more than 3 million SKUs from 80+ retail partners, using standardized data and AI-powered personalization to replace the 15-hour odyssey most shoppers endure. VP of Brand & Creative Olivia Hnatyshin joins Phillip and Brian to unpack how the team is rebuilding the third-most expensive purchase of a person's life – one where hunter green and forest green finally mean the same thing. Building the Zillow of Furniture, One Couch At A Time Key Takeaways: Buying furniture is the third most expensive purchase a person makes, after a car or a home. 83% of furniture shoppers start online; 73% of searches are non-branded. Shoppers spend an average of 15+ hours across 4+ retailers before buying a single sofa. Data standardization is the real unlock for the category. Verticalized, purpose-built AI beats general chatbots when the stakes are high. Key Quotes: [00:07:20] "It's not really a discovery problem. It's a systems problem. The industry hasn't caught up to how people are actually shopping." - Olivia [00:18:50] "When you stop trusting the system's recommendations because they're going to be guided by advertising, you stop believing there's a real curation based on your tastes and your needs." - Phillip [00:19:45] "We're doing one thing and we wanna do it really, really well. That gives us the advantage because we're not trying to build for a bunch of other retail streams." - Olivia [00:35:50] "We're moving away from search entirely. It really is more about expressing intent and having that intent met instantly and accurately." - Olivia Associated Links: Shop on Furniture.com Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

37% of beauty and cosmetics consumers are already using AI platforms — ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and others — to search for products. 27% of UK shoppers are already making purchases via AI agents. And 80% abandon traditional Google searches in this sector because they simply can't find the specific, personalised answers they need.The $450 billion beauty industry is being reshaped by AI search faster than most brands have realised — and the window to get ahead of it is closing.Charlie Marchant (CEO of Exposure Ninja) and Dale Davies (Head of Marketing at Exposure Ninja) dig into the findings from Exposure Ninja's new Beauty AI Search Report and what it means for any brand competing for visibility and purchases right now:

Recorded live at Shoptalk Spring 2026 by host Isaac Morey, the conversation features Amera Khalil, Director of Strategic Account Management at Commerce — the parent brand behind Feedonomics, BigCommerce, and MakeSwift. Together, they cover what brands actually need to do to stay visible as AI-powered discovery takes over consumer behavior. It's a practical, no-fluff conversation that's worth your time whether you're running a lean SMB operation or managing enterprise-level feeds.Key TakeawaysData quality is the foundation. Before any AI strategy works, your product feeds need accurate titles, descriptions, sizes, and attributes.Enriched data isn't one-size-fits-all. Enrichment requirements vary by brand, category, and channel — and they need to match today's conversational search queries.Agentic commerce is already operational. Commerce built a fully functional agentic checkout experience for PacSun on Perplexity in under 30 days.Don't deploy AI for AI's sake. Without a clear business objective, AI implementation creates confusion rather than results.SMBs need to act now. LLM visibility isn't exclusive to enterprise brands — smaller businesses can start preparing today.Human oversight isn't optional. Quality assurance guardrails protect brand integrity and keep AI-generated content on point.Have AI conversations out loud. Brands strategizing behind closed doors miss partners who may already have the solutions they need.Episode SummaryAmera opened by describing Commerce's three-brand structure. Feedonomics handles intelligent product feed management, BigCommerce powers flexible e-commerce experiences, and MakeSwift enables agile front-end design. She described Feedonomics' core value simply: taking complex data, making it clean and structured, and distributing it intelligently across every relevant channel.From there, Isaac asked the big question: how is AI changing e-commerce? Amera's answer was direct. The traditional marketing funnel — performance ads, tracking, attribution models — is collapsing. Consumers are now using Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude not just for research but for actual purchase decisions. "The biggest change in e-commerce," she noted, "is the preparation to be visible on these LLMs while maintaining the quality of your data."She broke agentic commerce readiness into clear layers. First, brands need solid foundational data — accurate product titles, descriptions, brand names, sizing. Without that, nothing else works. On top of that, brands need enriched data that responds to how people actually search today. Nobody's typing "suitcase" anymore. They're saying something like, "I'm going on a trip, I want something light, and I tend to overpack." Product data has to meet that kind of specificity.Interestingly, she was candid about the complexity of getting onto LLM channels: "Just because you're a brand doesn't mean that your feed is going to be accepted." Approval processes are real hurdles, and the backend requirements — syncing inventory, enabling checkout, integrating payments — go well beyond what most marketing teams expect.The PacSun case study was the episode's standout moment. Commerce built a complete agentic checkout experience for PacSun on Perplexity in under 30 days, during the holiday season. Shoppers could find PacSun jeans, select their size, and check out via PayPal — receiving a confirmation email from PacSun directly. "This is thrilling," Amera said, "because it's changed the way that we are looking at our expectations as consumers."On AI risks, she stressed quality assurance. Feedonomics uses internal benchmarking systems that flag AI-generated content not meeting brand standards before it goes live. She also flagged a generational nuance: Gen Z consumers can detect cold, scripted AI content, and they don't respond well to it. Adjusting content based on audience expectations isn't a nice-to-have — it's essential.For SMBs, her advice was to start with a data audit. Centralize your assets, identify missing fields, and find a feed partner who can submit requests to LLMs on your behalf. As she put it, "even if you're small, medium, or you're the big kahunas in the industry, you have to be present and you certainly have to be visible."Final ThoughtsIn this new era, AI agents act on behalf of shoppers — searching, comparing, and even checking out across multiple channels, often without ever visiting a merchant's website. These AI-driven experiences are seamless, contextual, and increasingly the default for how consumers interact with commerce online.  Amera's message throughout this episode is clear: preparation beats hesitation every time.So here's the question worth sitting with — if your brand's data isn't ready for an agent to read it, how feed-y is your commerce strategy for what's already here?This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/Chapters00:00:00 — Introducing Amera Khalil and Commerce00:00:22 — What Feedonomics Actually Does00:00:46 — BigCommerce and MakeSwift Explained00:01:09 — How AI Is Changing E-Commerce00:01:59 — How Consumers Are Using LLMs to Shop00:02:38 — The Rise of the Brand Agent as Consumer00:03:13 — How Brands Can Prepare for Agentic Commerce00:03:50 — Why Data Quality Is the Foundation00:04:28 — What Data Enrichment Actually Means00:05:15 — Matching Long-Tail Search Queries with Enriched Feeds00:05:52 — AI Risks and the Humans-in-the-Loop Element00:06:25 — Quality Assurance and Guardrails for AI Content00:07:15 — How Brands Are Adapting — Real Customer Journeys00:08:05 — Enterprise Brands Going Live on LLMs00:09:33 — The PacSun Agentic Checkout Story00:12:58 — Advice for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses00:14:54 — Why Every Brand Needs to Be Visible on LLMs by 202800:15:45 — The Feedonomics Framework for Readiness00:16:02 — Amera's Hot Take from Shoptalk00:16:56 — Final Thoughts and What's Getting Exciting Again

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1318: Penske climbs the dealer ranks as consolidation continues, Tesla sends off Model S/X with a pricey Signature Series, and $4 gas is pushing consumers online.Automotive News' 2026 Top 150 Dealer ranking saw some notable movement as acquisitions and stronger same-store sales reshaped the leaderboard.Penske Automotive moved to No. 2, bumping AutoNation to No. 3, while Lithia holds the top spot yet again.Penske's growth was fueled in part by high-volume California and Texas store acquisitions now fully counted in 2025 results.The Top 150 sold 4.14M vehicles, increasing their share of total U.S. sales to 27%.Despite selling more cars, the Top 150 owns fewer rooftops overall—continued consolidation in action.81 groups moved up overall and 23 gained double-digit spots.Public retailers increased their share of Top 150 sales to 34.3%, highlighting their growing influence.14 currently represented at ASOTU CON: Lithia, Holman, Ourisman, LaFontaine, DARCARS, Walser, McGovern, Zeigler,  RML Automotive, American Motors Group, CMA, Huffines, Casa, Preston Auto Group.Tesla is closing the chapter on its flagship sedans and SUVs with an ultra-exclusive, invite-only “Signature Series” run. With just 350 units and premium pricing, it's a nostalgic—and pricey—farewell to the brand's roots.Tesla will build just 350 units (250 Model S, 100 Model X), available only via invite to select owners.Exclusive Garnet Red paint, gold badging, and numbered interiors highlight the collector-focused design.The pricing reflects rarity, with the Model X Signature hitting $159K—about a $30K premium.These models will mark the end of Model S/X production as Tesla shifts factory capacity toward Optimus robots.Elon Musk previously called it an “honorable discharge,” closing a chapter that started in 2012.Rising gas prices are pushing more shoppers to skip store trips altogether. A sharp spike in online spending suggests convenience—and avoiding the pump—is becoming a bigger factor in buying decisions.Online spending jumped 20% in March, far above typical monthly gains, as gas prices topped $4.Orders rose 12% and average order value increased 8%, showing bigger and more frequent purchases.In-store shoppers are consolidating trips, making fewer visits but spending more per trip.83% of consumers cite gas as a top cost concern, with many shifting to online to avoid driving.“When gas crosses a psychological price threshold, the math changes,” said Omnisend's Marty Bauer.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast  as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabi Barkho and Melissa Daniels delve into the vast world of product LTOs, also known as limited-time offers. In the CPG space, these are usually limited-edition flavors or scents that brands drop to create consistent newness.  Spring tends to be a big season for LTOs as brands refresh their assortment. And the trend is only getting bigger. Even legacy brands like Peeps are releasing more unique flavors this year, like Rita's-Italian-Ice- and Pop-Tarts-flavored marshmallows. This episode looks at why these limited releases have become a big part of brands' marketing strategy, as they are now a major sales driver.  Joining the show this week is Ryan Meegan, co-founder of Dude Wipes, to talk about the ways the brand has grown its customer base through limited-edition and seasonal scents. And the proof is in the numbers. The 2025 seasonal assortment included the fall-themed take on pumpkin spice, Dumpkin Spice, and the winter holiday scent Dingle. About 69% of households that bought these Dude Wipes products were new to the brand, totaling about 150,000 new households. In this week's episode, Meegan discusses: The importance of developing seasonal SKUs that stand out in the stale wipes aisle. How Dude Wipes is now planning annual inventory around these products. How scents that began as seasonal test runs became important revenue drivers for Dude Wipes.

Welcome back to Conversion Monthly! Danny McMillan is joined by the full team — Sim, Matt Kostan, and Dorian — plus special guest Anna, who launched a reusable microfiber cleaning cloth roll on Amazon UK. Anna's product is clever — an eco-friendly alternative to paper towels that's washable and comes in multiple colors. But the listing isn't converting. The team digs into exactly why and what to fix. What's Covered in This Episode: Main image problems — Why Anna's current main image fails to communicate what the product actually is, and how showing roll thickness, sheet count, and color options can dramatically increase click-through rate Baseline click share testing — Matt runs a 100-person UK shopper poll revealing Anna's listing captures only 10% of clicks against competitors The power of color — Shoppers gravitate toward listings showing multiple color options, and the team discusses how bolder, richer colors (not pastels) pop on search results Secondary image ordering — Dorian's favorite test reveals that simply reordering existing images based on what shoppers care about most (reusability and washability) can boost conversions without changing a single image Title strategy — Why keyword stuffing kills readability and how "speed bump keywords" like "washable" or "tear-away" differentiate you from competitors Cost-saving as a conversion lever — Framing the product as a money-saver versus annual paper towel spend gives instant price justification Before-and-after imagery — "Show me, don't tell me" — why context-driven images outperform generic product shots German marketplace analysis — What the German Amazon sellers are doing right with richer colors, dynamic angles, and clean layouts New main image results — After updating the main image with Dorian's mockup, click share jumped 60-70% in testing Key Takeaways: If shoppers can't tell what your product is from the main image, nothing else matters The order of your secondary images matters as much as the images themselves — answer objections early Titles need to balance keyword volume with readability — a title nobody understands won't convert regardless of search volume Look at what competitors in other marketplaces (especially Germany) are doing for image inspiration Test before you invest in final designs — quick mockups and polling save time and money Connect with the Team: Matt Kostan — matt@productpinyon.com Sim — LinkedIn (also recruiting brand managers) Dorian — LinkedIn Anna — LinkedIn

WWJ auto analyst John McElroy says the war in Iran, and its impact on gas prices all over the world, could be the tipping point that pushes more people into electric cars. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)

Kings Day: Kings Day was a parade perfectly symbolic of the Democrat Party. It was a coalition of hypocritical lunatics, culminating in violence from LA to Portland. Who paid for this Astro turf freakshow? Lindsey, aka “Lady”, Graham skipped out of DC during the shutdown and was seen vacationing at Disney World. Waving a child’s bubble wand, no less. What was his reaction when confronted for bailing during a crisis? What is the Senate doing during recess and can Trump get them back to DC? DEI trainwreck: Woke agenda blows up major conference. What happens when identity groups get together and each one waves their “diversity priority equity cards”? How do you prioritize when everyone thinks they’re the most important? The fallacy of equity hits Canadian Democrats between the DEI’s. Shopping trip from hell: woman attacked inside California whole foods: An innocent woman is sexually assaulted openly in the aisle. How did he get away? What are most missing in this horrific story? With Brian Maloney, Red Wave AmericaSupport Our Mission: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZMGRBFGDJKRS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's TGIM episode, I'm talking about two of my favourite topics: building a personal brand and magnetizing dream clients. If you feel like you're attracting the wrong people (i.e. clients who question your prices, don't value your expertise, or just aren't aligned) this episode will help you understand why.I break down the difference between brands that simply list what they do and brands that clearly communicate who they are, and why your dream clients are actually looking for the person behind the business.What you'll takeaway from this episode:Why building a personal brand alongside your business helps you stand out in a crowded industry.The difference between a vendor brand and a magnetic brand, and why dream clients care more about who you are than what you do.Three common ways founders accidentally repel dream clients through generic messaging and overly polished content.The moment Kaila and I realized we were talking to the wrong audience, and how shifting our messaging changed the clients we attract.A simple three-layer framework to help you clarify your point of view, share your origin story, and speak directly to your ideal client.If you've been feeling like your marketing sounds professional but isn't attracting the right people, this episode will help you refine your message so your brand becomes magnetic instead of transactional.Take our FREE quiz: https://www.myalignedpurpose.com/quiz Grab your ticket for SHE LEADS: https://www.myalignedpurpose.com/she-leads-2026 My Aligned Purpose Podcast is your go-to space for women entrepreneurs ready to dream bigger, build million-dollar brands, and grow thriving businesses. For over 5.5 years, we've been guiding women around the world in combining strategy with soul—blending sales, marketing, manifestation, mindset, and community to create unstoppable growth.Each week, you'll leave feeling inspired, supported, and motivated to step into the next level of your vision. Whether you're just starting out or scaling into seven figures, this podcast is here to remind you that you're not alone—and that with the right mix of strategy and alignment, anything is possible.It's time to tap into community, embrace abundance, and grow your business on purpose.Follow along at:https://www.instagram.com/myalignedpurpose/https://www.myalignedpurpose.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MyAlignedPurposehttps://www.facebook.com/myalignedpurpose

Bonus Episode for Mar. 20. Financial results from retailers Walmart, Target, Costco, Macy's and TJX, Ross Stores and Burlington Stores give investors a picture of how consumers are spending amid inflation worries. Wall Street Journal reporter Kelly Cloonan discusses how stores are adapting to shoppers' preferences and navigating the Trump administration's tariffs. Alex Ossola hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies' earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what's going on under the hood of the American economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most seafood labels look simple, but they often hide more than they reveal.   When you buy fish at a grocery store, the package might say salmon, tuna, or cod. But those market names can represent dozens of different species, and the label rarely tells you exactly which one you are eating. In many cases, key details like the fishing location, the vessel that caught the fish, or the specific species are missing. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, we explore the seafood labeling gap and why it matters. When multiple species are grouped under the same market name, it becomes harder to detect seafood fraud, track fisheries, and ensure sustainable seafood choices. Understanding what labels do and do not tell us is an important step toward improving transparency in the global seafood supply chain. Follow How to Protect the Ocean for weekday ocean science updates.

How can a world that produces more than enough food still leave millions of people struggling to put a healthy meal on the table? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Jordan Schenck, CEO of Flashfood, about the growing paradox at the heart of our global food system. Grocery prices are climbing, families everywhere are making harder choices at the checkout, and food banks are seeing rising demand. Yet at the same time, vast quantities of perfectly edible food never make it onto a plate. Jordan shares the startling scale of the problem. In North America alone, billions of pounds of edible food are thrown away every year, including huge volumes from grocery stores themselves. Fresh produce, meat, and dairy often end up discarded even though they remain safe and nutritious to eat. The result is a system where food waste and food insecurity grow side by side, despite a supply chain that already produces far more calories than the world needs. Flashfood is attempting to change that equation with a simple but powerful idea. Through its marketplace app, the company partners with grocery retailers to sell surplus food at steep discounts before it reaches the landfill. Shoppers gain access to fresh groceries at far lower prices, while retailers recover value from inventory that might otherwise be lost. What emerges is a rare triple win for shoppers, grocers, and the environment. During our conversation, Jordan explains how consumer behavior, retail expectations, and supply chain logistics have shaped today's food waste problem. She also shares how technology and data are beginning to shift the system in a different direction. Flashfood is now working with more than two thousand grocery partners across North America and serving over a million users, using data and AI to help retailers price surplus inventory more effectively and move products before they are discarded.But the story behind Flashfood is also personal. Jordan reflects on her earlier experiences at Impossible Foods and as founder of the beverage brand Sunwink, and how those roles helped her see both the strengths and weaknesses inside modern food production. Over time, she began to question whether the industry truly needed more products on shelves, or whether the bigger opportunity lay in fixing the inefficiencies that already existed. Our discussion touches on the psychology of grocery shopping, the economics of surplus inventory, and the cultural expectations that lead retailers to overstock shelves in the first place. We also explore why many consumers are more open to buying discounted food than retailers once believed, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise. Perhaps most encouraging of all is the idea that solving food waste does not require entirely new supply chains or radical lifestyle changes. Sometimes it simply requires connecting the dots between food that already exists and the people who need it most.

Food keeps getting more expensive, so how do shoppers respond? They change what they buy, right? It's not just that cheaper foods get more popular. Shoppers are more nuanced than that. So, today on the show, we choose one classic meal that is tailor-made for this anxious economic moment. Why Hamburger Helper is poised to win 2026.Related episodes: How niche brands got into your local supermarketCan you trust you're getting the same grocery prices as someone else?Hits of the Dips: Songs of recessions pastFor sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy