February 25, 2025

Although online shopping has been the norm for decades, oftentimes consumers still want to visit a physical store. Whether it’s trying on different sizes, comparing colors and styles, or simply browsing, there are some shopping activities that people prefer to do in person. When the pandemic upended supply chains, retailers responded by cutting back on the amount of inventory that went out to individual stores. Instead, they centralized inventory at distribution centers to make it easier and cheaper to respond Continue reading

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February 14, 2025

For decades, American stadium designers aimed to pack as many spectators into a space as safely as possible. In recent years, though, amenities like upscale concession stands and luxury boxes have become increasingly important to the financial health of American sports venues. This video looks at how the Superdome in New Orleans was rebuilt to make as much money as possible, from streamlined snack bars and walking paths to pricey club seating and suites. 

Questions:

  1. Why are modern stadiums Continue reading
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February 7, 2025

The breakfast chain Waffle House is famous for serving customers a cheap and hearty breakfast at any time of day. In fact, the 24-hour eatery is so reliable and affordable that emergency officials use it as an informal gauge for judging severe weather: if the area Waffle House is closed, then the natural disaster must be extremely severe. But one thing the famously dependable chain couldn’t predict is soaring egg prices, which have driven it to add a 50-cent Continue reading

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January 17, 2025

For weeks, the Los Angeles area has been battling enormous fires that have caused billions of dollars in damage while thousands of residents evacuate. Along with a large force of professional firefighters, California prison laborers are also taking on the blazes for a chance to shave some time off their sentences. They also receive some compensation, often just a couple dollars an hour. This short video shows incarcerated individuals at work actively fighting fires as well as performing routine maintenance Continue reading

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December 6, 2024

The luxury car brand Jaguar started in England in 1922 as a shop that built sidecars for motorcycles. When the British government stopped rationing steel at the end of World War II, the company was then able to purchase enough supplies to produce eye-catching sports cars. Flashy Jaguar vehicles went on to dominate international motorsport in the 1950s, giving the brand a global reputation as athletic and glamorous. But even as Jaguar grew to become the preferred automaker of the Continue reading

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November 26, 2024

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a busy travel season at American airports as families trek across the country to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones. This year, AAA predicts more than 18 million people will travel by plane during Thanksgiving week, an increase of 6 percent over 2023. Three million people are expected to go through airport security on the Sunday after the holiday, which would tie the record set on the Sunday after this year’s Fourth of July. Continue reading

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November 21, 2024

Although consumers have had to contend with high food prices throughout 2024, families across the country will at least pay less for Thanksgiving dinner next week than they did last year. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost of Thanksgiving for 10 people will amount to $58.08, or about $5.80 per person. That marks a 5 percent drop from 2023. The decreased cost is good news for families who have faced high food prices over the last Continue reading

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November 19, 2024

Hormel makes 71 different kinds of pepperoni. In addition to the widely popular original pepperoni slices, grocery shoppers can also choose diced, thick-sliced, mini-sliced, low-sodium, low-fat, turkey pepperoni, and more. The spin-offs may not sell as well as the original, but they do help to attract customer attention for the overall brand. More products mean more shelf space at stores, which gives customers more opportunities to find and buy Hormel products. The company also hoped this strategy would make shoppers Continue reading

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November 15, 2024

When workers at Boeing went on strike in September, it was just one of many serious problems the company faced in 2024. Starting in January, a door plug tore off of one of its planes at 16,000 feet, leaving a massive hole and causing an emergency landing. As a result, Boeing pled guilty to criminal fraud charges and must allow federal monitors to oversee future plane construction. At the same time, airlines around the world are impatiently waiting for Continue reading

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November 8, 2024

A few weeks ago, we looked at how rising cocoa prices led to price increases for chocolate just before the Halloween season. The video below examines this global issue in great detail, from the struggles of cocoa farmers in Ghana to the effects of rising costs both on independent operators and major candy producers like Mars Wrigley. 

Questions:

  1. What are some of the issues affecting the livelihoods of Ghanaian cocoa farmers?
  2. How are independent businesses like Li-Lac Chocolates responding Continue reading
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