In 2015, Nike set out to transform how sneakers are made. Hoping to bring manufacturing closer to home, the company invested millions in a high-tech factory in Mexico that would rely on machines instead of low-wage workers overseas. But the project quickly ran into unexpected problems. Robots struggled with the soft, flexible materials used in sneakers, which expand and contract with temperature changes. Tasks like gluing soles and stitching fabrics proved much harder to automate than expected. Rather than shrinking Continue reading

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After years of declining sales, brick-and-mortar bookstores are starting to make a comeback with consumers. Close to 300 bookstores opened in the U.S. in 2023, surprising many who thought independent sellers could not compete in the age of Amazon. Along with providing quality service and interesting selections, bookstores are also attracting customers by adding wine bars, dinner menus, and aesthetic experiences alongside the shelves. At places like the Strand in New York, you can now sip a cappuccino while browsing Continue reading

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In Singapore, few desserts are more beloved than pandan chiffon cake. Soft, fluffy, and bright green, the cake gets its flavor from pandan, a tropical plant sometimes called “Asian vanilla.” For decades, this cake has been a common sight in Southeast Asian homes and bakeries. Now it’s catching on globally, driven by both nostalgia and curiosity. In the U.S. and Europe, pandan is showing up in ice creams, lattes, and pastries, appealing to young consumers looking for new flavors rooted Continue reading

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April 30, 2025

When Rayne Heath, a tech worker in Ohio, started shopping for a stroller, she planned to wait until after her baby shower. But after hearing about new tariffs on Chinese imports, she rushed to buy a $1,200 Nuna stroller before the price jumped by nearly $200. Heath’s story is increasingly common among expectant parents. Essential baby gear like strollers, car seats, and cribs—already costly—are becoming even more expensive due to new tariffs as high as 145% on products from China. Continue reading

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April 25, 2025

With more than 55 billion U.S. bank notes circulating the globe, keeping the American dollar safe from counterfeiters is an ever-evolving challenge. This video explores the many safety features that countries employ to protect their cash, from frequent redesigns and watermarks to holograms and secret molecular identifiers.

Questions:

  1. What are some design features that countries use to keep their money safe from counterfeiters?
  2. Why hasn’t the U.S. redesigned the one dollar bill for more than 60 years? Do you think Continue reading
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April 23, 2025

For Walmart, rising tariffs and worries about a possible recession are major concerns. Those economic pressures could make it harder for the company to keep prices low, which is a big part of why shoppers choose Walmart in the first place. One thing that’s helping the company is its membership program, Walmart+. Members made up nearly half of all online spending on Walmart’s website and app last year. These customers shop more often and spend more money than those without Continue reading

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April 18, 2025

Once considered to be products exclusively made for children, plush toy brands like Jellycat, Build-A-Bear, and Squishmallows are now seeing significant sales from millennial and Gen Z buyers. In 2024, more than 20 percent of all plush toy sales were made by adults purchasing for themselves. Post-pandemic stress, economic uncertainty, and the rise of self-care culture have all contributed to this shift. Plush toys are no longer framed as childish; instead, many see them as tools for comfort, emotional regulation, Continue reading

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April 15, 2025

Korean beauty products have exploded in popularity in the U.S. thanks to their high quality formulas and affordable prices. Brands like Laneige, Cosrx, and Innisfree are now household names, especially for their sunscreens and serums that use cutting-edge ingredients not available in American-made skincare. In 2024, the U.S. imported $1.7 billion worth of cosmetics from South Korea—more than even France. But that could change fast. Under a new trade plan, these imports could be hit with a 25% tariff. Business Continue reading

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April 10, 2025

For a company whose guacamole has become a signature item, Chipotle can’t afford to take avocados for granted. Each year, the fast-casual chain uses over 130 million pounds of the fruit across its more than 3,700 locations—nearly 5% of all avocados consumed in the U.S. But climate variability, pandemic-era disruptions, and trade tensions have exposed the fragility of global food systems. As a result, Chipotle recognized the risks of relying too heavily on a single source country. Mexico, which once Continue reading

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April 4, 2025

In 1995, Costco took a big risk by creating its own private label, Kirkland Signature, to compete against name brands in numerous product categories. As this video explains, though, the warehouse retailer’s gamble paid off handsomely. Kirkland earned more than $86 billion in sales last year, and now other retailers are following Costco’s lead by expanding their own private labels. 

Questions:

  1. What are some advantages that private label products give to retailers? What are some drawbacks?  
  2. Why did Continue reading
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