Amazon owns the online retail market so much that competing with it, at least for newer players, requires doing something very different from the online leader. eBay, for example, in its heyday used an auction model, creating the possibility that consumers could “win” an item for less than traditional commerce. Traditional brick and mortar chains … Read more
Rising meat prices have wreaked havoc on the barbecue space. Many restaurants have the option to lean more heavily on fish or chicken, perhaps even pasta and vegetarian options, when meat prices rise. It’s not something barbecue restaurants can do, because while they can serve chicken and fish, the beef and pork are the stars … Read more
In 1981, pizzerias that also served more sophisticated Italian food were somewhat rare. In Boston, you could go to the upscale traditional Italian restaurants in the city’s famous North End, but pizza was generally not on their menus. Yes, that neighborhood had some fabulous pizza places that I visited with friends and family in the … Read more
Although they were a moving target, President Donald Trump’s tariffs have increased the cost of building a home. “The new tariffs could increase builders’ costs anywhere from $7,500 to $10,000 per home,” Rob Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, told CNBC, citing estimates from U.S. builders. Last year, the NAHB estimated … Read more
Usually, when a consumer orders from a trusted website, they have little concern about whether the items they purchase will eventually show up at home. This is a change from the traditional retail model where the customer does not pay for an item until they actually have it in hand. It’s a system that requires … Read more