Consumer Affordability

Business

Zegna Charts Steady Course Amid Leadership Shift and China Volatility, Fueled by DTC Momentum

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group reported a resilient 2025, with full-year revenues reaching €1.92 billion. A strong fourth-quarter acceleration, driven by a 10% surge in direct-to-consumer sales, underscores the luxury group's strategic pivot away from wholesale. While the Americas and EMEA regions showed robust growth, Greater China remains a volatile market as the company navigates a planned leadership transition and industry headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

FAT Brands Seeks Chapter 11 Protection Amid $1.3 Billion Debt Restructuring

The parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, and Twin Peaks files for bankruptcy in Texas, citing inflationary pressures and shifting consumer demand, while vowing to keep restaurants open.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The 50-Year Mortgage: A Lifeline for Homebuyers or a Lifetime of Debt? New Data Reveals Limited Impact

A new analysis examines whether ultra-long home loans can solve the affordability crisis. While they offer a monthly payment reprieve in select markets, the long-term financial toll is staggering, raising questions about who truly benefits.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Navitas Semiconductor Pivots to Power the AI and EV Revolution, Forging Key Alliance with Nvidia

Navitas Semiconductor is strategically shifting its focus from volatile consumer electronics to the high-growth, high-margin arenas of AI data centers and electric vehicles, underscored by a pivotal partnership with industry giant Nvidia.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

GameStop Surges on CEO's $100 Billion Ambition, Fueling Speculation Over Major Acquisition

GameStop shares rallied over 6% after CEO Ryan Cohen outlined a bold vision to transform the struggling retailer into a consumer sector powerhouse through strategic M&A, leveraging its substantial cash reserves.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Craft Beer's Golden Age Cools: U.S. Brewery Closures Outpace Openings for Second Straight Year

After two decades of explosive growth, the U.S. craft beer industry has hit an inflection point. New data reveals more breweries closed than opened in 2025, signaling a market correction driven by saturation, shifting consumer habits, and economic pressures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sweet Century Ends in Chapter 11: Primrose Candy Co., a 96-Year-Old Icon, Seeks Bankruptcy Protection

Primrose Candy Co., an Illinois-based confectioner with roots stretching back to the Great Depression, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing mounting debts, rising costs, and shifting consumer tastes that have eroded its once-stable business.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tesla's Safety Score Under Fire: How Telematics Data Sparks Insurance Disputes and Regulatory Scrutiny

A California class-action lawsuit and regulatory actions are challenging Tesla's usage-based insurance model, alleging that its Safety Score algorithm unfairly penalizes drivers with 'false' collision warnings. The case highlights broader concerns about transparency and consumer protection in the growing telematics-driven insurance sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Micron Bets $24 Billion on Singapore Hub in Strategic Pivot to AI Memory Dominance

Micron Technology is making a decisive shift from volatile consumer memory markets, channeling a massive $24 billion investment into Singapore to build advanced fabrication and packaging facilities aimed squarely at the booming AI data center sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Secondary Watch Market Shows Signs of Recovery, But Gains Remain Concentrated Among Top Brands

After a prolonged downturn, the pre-owned watch market saw a modest rebound in late 2025, driven largely by Patek Philippe and Rolex. However, a new report reveals a stark divide, with most brands still struggling with value retention as consumers pivot towards pragmatic purchases.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Diner's Dilemma: Why Beloved U.S. Chain Restaurants Are Shuttering at an Alarming Rate

From Denny's to Outback Steakhouse, a wave of closures is sweeping through America's familiar dining landscape. Experts point to a perfect storm of inflation, shifting consumer habits, and financial pressures reshaping where we eat.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Warsh's Fed Dilemma: Navigating Growth, Inflation, and a Faltering Labor Market

If confirmed, incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will inherit a booming yet bifurcated economy. Despite strong GDP growth and a surging stock market, stagnant hiring and sinking consumer confidence present a policy puzzle where interest rate cuts may offer no easy fix.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Hershey Bets on Spice and Collectibles: Jolly Rancher Heat Wave Gummies Target New Audiences

The Hershey Company is expanding its Jolly Rancher brand with a dual-pronged strategy: launching spicy 'Heat Wave' gummies and a limited-edition collectible box in partnership with VeeFriends. This move aims to capture the attention of younger consumers and digital-native collectors, signaling a shift in the confectionery giant's growth playbook beyond traditional chocolate.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Dining on a Budget: UK Restaurants Slash Prices Amid Cost Pressures

Facing soaring business rates and cautious consumers, UK restaurant chains are deploying deep discounts and creative promotions to attract diners, as the sector grapples with post-pandemic recovery and a cost-of-living squeeze.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Investment Outlook 2026: Four Sectors Facing Headwinds Amid Shifting Monetary Policy

As the Federal Reserve prepares for a potential policy shift in 2026, analysts flag real estate, financials, energy, and consumer discretionary as vulnerable sectors. Structural challenges and changing macroeconomic conditions could pressure performance despite broader market gains.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Conagra Bets Big on Protein with New MEGA Breakfast Bowls, But Can It Revive Investor Appetite?

Conagra Brands launches its protein-packed Banquet MEGA Breakfast Bowls, a direct challenge to rivals in the frozen aisle. While the move aligns with consumer trends, analysts question if it's enough to offset broader financial pressures facing the packaged food giant.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Sweetgreen Sees Price Target Boost Amid Broader Restaurant Sector Optimism

Goldman Sachs raises Sweetgreen's price target to $5.60, citing policy tailwinds for consumer spending, even as it maintains a Sell rating. The salad chain's expansion and strong revenue growth continue to draw investor attention.

Feb 2, 2026

The 2026 Sports Marketing Blitz: How Brands Are Gearing Up for a Historic Year of Global Events

With the FIFA World Cup in North America, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and a packed calendar of major events, 2026 is poised to be a landmark year for sports. Brands and retailers are deploying sophisticated strategies that prioritize cultural marketing and community engagement over mere sales spikes, navigating a landscape where consumer loyalty is won through storytelling, not just sponsorship.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

U.S. Launches $12 Billion 'Project Vault' to Counter China's Rare Earth Dominance

The White House has confirmed the launch of a major strategic initiative to stockpile rare earth elements, aiming to reduce American dependence on China for the critical minerals used in defense tech and consumer electronics.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Maesa's Ontu Launch Aims to Elevate Mass-Market Body Care to Facial-Grade Standards

Brand incubator Maesa is betting on the growing body care category with the launch of Ontu, a new line bringing high-performance, facial-inspired formulas to Target shelves at accessible price points, capitalizing on shifting consumer skincare rituals.

Feb 2, 2026