Arts
fromwww.npr.org
1 day agoHow do you find a good restaurant these days?
Michelin stars influence restaurant choices, but spending on dining out is decreasing despite rising menu prices.
The most expensive brands are often at eye level, while cheaper products tend to be on the bottom shelves. For example, PG Tips (£2.98 for an 80-pack) commandeered the top three shelves in Asda's tea aisle, while its own-label tea bags sat on the bottom shelves (£2 for an 80-pack).
"I don't think it's the product," says Brian Lowit, the owner of Mount Desert Island Ice Cream in Mount Pleasant. "People are just like, 'I'll stay cooler by staying in my house.'"
The subscription economy has exploded in recent years, by one estimate growing by over 400% over the past decade. Companies love the idea of recurring revenue and sticky customer contracts that require some effort to escape.
"It [As Ever] is run by a confederacy of dunces working on this platform that is just getting maximising the value from her fame that came from Suits and being a part of the Royal Family and they're just milking that for everything they can."
If they are a person who's played around with ChatGPT and various AI platforms, they're more likely to trust that consumer affairs, customer care data. If they aren't someone who's done that, they're a lot less likely to trust it.
In moments of elevated economic uncertainty, the premium on security increases: investors seek safe assets, businesses prioritize safe investments, and families double down on peace of mind.
The convenience store business model thrives by prioritizing ease for customers to make purchases, integrating the experience with digital engagement to meet customers where they are.
According to PartnerCentric, Gen Z-ers are now favoring social media platforms over Google in terms of shopping, with TikTok and Pinterest preferred over traditional search engines.
Shopping has evolved more over the past 10 years than it has in the previous 50. Rapid advancements in technology, shifting consumer expectations, and global disruptions have reshaped the way we connect and consume.
The social fabric feels increasingly frayed these days. Discourse is rough, in part due to rampant misinformation online. Recent surveys consistently show declining confidence in institutions, government, media and companies. This lack of trust leaves consumers hungry for authenticity and reliability in an uncertain world.
Credit - Photograph by AB+DM for TIME Over the past decade, we've seen a significant shift in how people view institutions and established gatekeepers. The media industry has been no exception, and while our business has been challenged, others have seen increased attention and relevance.
In 2024, internet users spent nearly 2½ hours a day on social media, and much of that time was dedicated to individuals like those on TIME100 Creators. They represent a multi-hundred-billion-dollar industry, where creator revenues grow five times faster than traditional media.
Research suggests diners spend more freely when prices are listed without currency symbols - possibly because the visual cue of a dollar sign reminds people they're parting with money.