Dry January is here. The CEOs of Heineken USA and Athletic Brewing explain why many Americans are choosing moderation.
CEOs of beverage companies producing non-alcoholic beers say buying trends point toward moderation in Americans' drinking habits.
Retail
Expect historic consumer spending on tech in 2025 — but only if the Trump tariffs don't happen, industry group says
Consumer tech spending could hit $537 billion in 2025 if the Trump tariffs don't happen and cut consumer purchasing power, the CTA said.
I'm an interior designer — here are 9 things I'd absolutely get at Williams Sonoma right now
From durable wooden cutting boards to KitchenAid stand mixers, these are the things I would buy at Williams Sonoma as an interior designer.
How Grand Antique marble became a lost luxury of the $65 billion marble industry
Grand Antique is a marble found in only one quarry in the world.
Barnes & Noble boss is planning to open about 60 new stores in the US
James Daunt, a Brit who is also CEO of Waterstones in the UK, says a listing of the combined bookseller group could be on the cards.
A sober bar manager says every bar will have to serve non-alcoholic options to remain competitive. Here's how he keeps things fun.
Bar manager Eliott Edge told BI the surgeon general's warning about alcohol should get businesses thinking about how to serve fun without booze.
The top 15 gifts that Gen Z touted in their Christmas hauls, according to someone who watched hundreds of haul videos
If you want to keep in step with Gen Zers, here's a look at what they got for Christmas this year.
The lowly neighborhood strip mall might be the hottest new thing in commercial real estate
Neighborhood strip malls are emerging as a surprising opportunity in commercial real estate, attracting major investors like Blackstone.
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How Ray Kroc built McDonald's from a small burger joint into a global fast-food empire
Ray Kroc transformed a small family-owned burger stand into McDonald's, the world's biggest fast-food empire.
Shoppers are still cautious heading into 2025
Slowing inflation, potential tariffs, and a dip in consumer confidence are some of the mixed signals on how shoppers are feeling as 2025 begins.
Booze companies are betting big on nonalcoholic drinks. Here's why.
Alcohol companies like Heineken, Constellation Brands, and AB InBev have been preparing for a customer culture shift toward nonalcoholic options.
The billionaire Panera founder imagines his death when planning his year ahead
Panera's founder, who now runs an investment fund, sees death as a motivator to be more successful in life.
Costco is standing by its DEI policy. Here's why.
Costco seems to be bucking the anti-DEI wave. Data suggests shareholders in the US still largely support diversity efforts amid vocal critics.
Why 'neo-medievalism' could be a hot consumer trend in 2025
The trend embraces medieval aesthetics and reflects a rejection of modern tech culture, according to Wonderhood Studios.
Before and after photos show how a fire destroyed a market where much of the world's secondhand clothes end up
A fire destroyed as much as two-thirds of the world's largest secondhand clothing market in Accra, Ghana.
Who could win and lose after the surgeon general's alcohol-cancer link warning
The US Surgeon General's advisory on cancer and alcohol sent shares of beverage makers lower, but its effects may be much more widespread.
I used to work at Hermès. I saw customers make the same 5 mistakes — especially when trying to get a coveted Birkin.
As a former Hermès employee, I've seen customers make the same mistakes, especially when trying to get access to high-ticket things like a Birkin bag.
Influencers are suing PayPal over its browser extension Honey
Creators have filed two class-action lawsuits against PayPal over the affiliate practices of its Honey browser extension.
Buying a Rolex watch just got more expensive
The price of Rolex watches increased by up to 8% on January 1, as the price of gold continues to surge.
I'm a sales associate at Coach. Here's how I spot fake bags — it's easier than you'd think.
As a sales associate at Coach, I wasn't fully taught how to spot fake bags during my training process, but I've learned how as I go.
Old photos show what Costco looked like when it first opened in 1983
Costco traces its roots to Price Club, which opened its doors in 1976, but the first warehouse with the name Costco opened in Seattle in 1983.
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Everything I order for my family at Dunkin' as a dietitian following the Mediterranean diet
As a dietitian, I try to follow the Mediterranean diet, even when I make fast-food runs for my family. Here are the best things I get at Dunkin'.
I went to Red Lobster and saw how much work its new CEO has to make the chain cool again
Red Lobster has gone through bankruptcy and a fiasco over its endless shrimp special. Here's what its like to dine at one of the chain's restaurants.
My family tried the awkward holiday photo shoot at JCPenney and loved it. The trend captured a new generation — see what it was like.
The awkward holiday photo trend renewed JCPenney Portrait Studios and attracted new Gen Z customers, enhancing JCPenney's brand presence.
Walmart, Trader Joe's, Costco, and Target are opening dozens of stores in 2025. See the full list of locations.
Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, and Costco have plans to open dozens of stores across the US in 2025. See the full list.
The Walmart 'Birkin' dupe is having a moment. These are the luxury handbags most likely to be faked.
The rise in dupe culture has infiltrated the luxury market, with counterfeits getting more sophisticated in recent years.
Starbucks went through big changes in 2024. The coffee chain could transform even more next year.
Starbucks got a new CEO, Brian Niccol, this year. In 2025, he'll need to tackle long wait times, a union, and China.
Vintage photos show what it was like to eat at a diner in the 1950s
By the 1950s, diners had become a staple for the average American restaurant-goer, mainly due to their low prices, large menus, and extended hours.
Walmès? Shoppers can't stop talking about the $78 Walmart bag that resembles a $10,000 Hermès Birkin.
Hermès Birkin handbag lookalikes are selling out on Walmart's website after having a viral moment on TikTok
Big Lots just received a last-minute lifeline
Big Lots says it reached a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners that would preserve 200 to 400 stores across the US.
Dunkin' is turning to a Sabrina Carpenter 'Espresso' drink and a $5 meal deal for 2025
Coffee chain Dunkin' is turning Sabrina Carpenter's summer hit "Espresso" into a limited-time beverage. It's also offering a $5 breakfast meal.
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37 photos of the weirdest and most unique McDonald's restaurants in the world
A McDonald's restaurant in New Zealand is inside a decommissioned plane. See inside it, plus photos of the other most unusual McDonald's in the world.
Citi AT&T Points Plus Card review: Earn a $100 welcome bonus and up to $240 in annual statement credits for no annual fee
With the new AT&T Points Plus Card, AT&T wireless customers can earn up to $240 every year, and earn unlimited bonus Citi ThankYou points on gas and groceries.
3 telltale signs of a fake luxury watch, according to a watch authenticator
From the paintwork on the hands to the magnification of the date window, here's how to check for the real deal.
6 US cities are getting new Costco warehouses in March
Costco's first wave of openings in 2025 will be in California, Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts, with roughly a dozen more still to be announced.
Millennials are celebrated for their minimalism. Turns out it was all a lie.
Millennials are just as into buying stuff as their boomer parents.
I compared double cheeseburgers from In-N-Out and New York's 7th Street Burger. The cheaper burger had a slight edge.
I compared In-N-Out's animal-style Double Double burger and the double cheeseburger from 7th Street Burger in New York City.
How TikTok has shaken up e-commerce in the US
TikTok is changing the US e-commerce ecosystem as it brings influencer sales and social shopping into the mainstream.
Buying 'dupes' of expensive items is all the rage. These are the products you should be careful when buying cheap.
According to experts, for health and safety reasons, there are certain dupes that are not worth saving a couple of dollars for.
It's prime time for returning stuff at stores. Retailers are still figuring out the best way to handle it.
The days between December 26 and 28 are the busiest for returns, with up to three times more than usual. That can pose a challenge for retailers.
This chart shows what a bad year 2024 was for luxury
The companies behind luxury labels like Burberry, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton have struggled this year.
3 leadership books that guided Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun's career in 2024
Damola Adamolekun, Red Lobster's 35-year-old CEO, recommends three books for leadership that influenced his career in 2024.
Which gifts were popular this year? This list from Apple offers clues.
Apple's top app downloads suggest popular gifts were the Meta Quest, Amazon Alexa, smart photo frames, and Tonie's toys.
I've worked at Costco for 19 years. Here are the 10 best things I bought there this year.
As a Costco employee, the best things I bought at the store this year include the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken and the Arlo Essential camera.
Shoppers are buying store brands at Costco and Nordstrom — which can be just as good as big-name brands
Store-brand groceries keep attracting shoppers looking to save money as food prices remain high.
These 5 trends will steer retail in 2025
Technology will continue to profoundly impact the retail industry in 2025, pushing the boundaries of traditional sales and e-commerce.
Meet 5 of the buyers eying 7-Eleven and its sister businesses
KKR and Bain Capital each offered over $5 billion in first-round bids for some assets of Japanese-owned Seven & i company, per Reuters.
I went to Big Lots. I didn't see a reason to go back, which might explain why the chain is fighting to stay alive
Big Lots is fighting to stay alive. A store in Maryland left BI confused about the retailer's purpose.
4 telltale signs of a fake Van Cleef & Arpels piece, according to a secondhand luxury retailer
The real deal is made with precision, and counterfeiters often miss the small details. Here's what to look out for, from thickness to shape.
TikTok sellers could be hit harder than influencers by a ban
If TikTok is pulled from US app stores, brands that sell on its e-commerce platform, Shop, may struggle to find a new home.