TheFutureParty
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Instacart is disrupting grocery shopping with games, meal suggestions, ads, store maps, and in-cart checkout — all on its smart Caper Cart. Why It Hits: There’s probably nothing as lo-tech as the humble shopping cart. So, if Instacart can scale its smart cart to groceries nationwide, it could become one of the hottest companies around. Between The Aisles: The […]
23andMe, the once buzzed-about biotech startup, is on the rocks… leaving a big question mark as to what will happen with the DNA of some 15 million customers since 2006. Why It Hits: The seemingly inevitable fall of 23andMe (a company mostly built on customers having their DNA tested once and then moving on) may be the most high-profile case […]
Live-shopping broadcaster QVC has struck a deal with the USA Pickleball league for everything from streaming rights and original content to, of course, merchandising. The Big Swing: Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the US, so clinching exclusive rights is a big win for such an unconventional player… opening up the possibilities for other niche companies […]
Jaylen Brown, the NBA star who helped lead the Boston Celtics to a championship win last season, is launching his own footwear company instead of signing a deal with an established sneaker brand. Why It Hits: Signing an endorsement deal with one of the major athletic shoe labels, like Nike, Adidas, or Puma, is seen as the pinnacle […]
Amazon is set to debut a competition show that allows players to pitch their products to company execs and celebrity judges for a chance at startup stardom — top billing on the e-commerce giant’s site. Why It Hits: Instagram, TikTok, Amazon… finding a seamless way to mix commerce and entertainment has become the Holy Grail of the tech […]
Roblox is expanding its digital-to-physical commerce capabilities in a major way, thanks to a new partnership with Shopify, which will give customers the ability to browse for and purchase products — all inside the game. Why It Hits: Brands are on an endless hunt to meet young people (and their parents’ wallets) wherever they are, so literally […]
Gen Z may not like talking on the phone generally, but they do love it when it comes to talking to a human customer service representative. Unfortunately, getting one on the phone has become a nearly impossible maze. The Big Picture: Companies that make talking to a flesh-and-blood customer service rep a part of their business plan […]
Small business growth is skyrocketing across America due to cultural and economic changes during COVID, but the startups are hiring fewer employees than they used to. The Big Picture: There’s now a record number of entrepreneurs but fewer opportunities for people simply looking for full-time employment. Between the Lines: WSJ calls the new breed of businesses “pint-sized startups.” Closing Thoughts: Small […]
The Future. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell confirmed there will finally be an interest rate cut next month — the first since the pandemic began in 2020. While the move could reduce unemployment, it might also drive a new wave of inflation if the Fed overshoots. Yay. By the numbersPowell revealed the planned September rate cut at the […]
The Future. Reverse mentorship, where junior professionals guide senior executives, is catching on in the advertising world as marketers strive to authentically engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha. If companies want to stay relevant and connected to younger demographics, they may have to rely increasingly on junior employees (who can offer pivotal insights into emerging […]