#consumer-demand

#consumer-demand

There's a fine line between customer loyalty and obsession-and Sharpie has found a way to profit off of both. After the Extra Fine Point Permanent Marker was discontinued, an online cult following lamented the loss of the long-beloved felt-tip pen for years and even started Reddit threads for alternatives. Sharpie noticed. In fact, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's camp asked the company about the marker, Gina Lázaro, VP of brand management at Sharpie's parent company, Newell Brands, told Fortune in an exclusive interview.

The Apple iPhone 17 may be the big winner this generation, at least in terms of improvement over its predecessor. With a number of significant upgrades and staying at the same price as last year, many will flock to this model - including people that in previous years would have gone with a Pro. The vanilla model is 29g lighter than and has a, how shall we put it, a less controversial design.

Despite the initial huge lines of people and cars, the menu appears to have been greatly condensed, with significant items like the Epic Bacon removed.

The automotive industry continues to evolve, driven by innovation, convenience and consumer demand for faster, more efficient service. In 2025, the top-performing automotive franchises aren't just changing oil or replacing tires - they're streamlining operations, leveraging mobile platforms and building strong brand loyalty.

Prairie Fresh's bacon debut represents the extension of their connected food system philosophy into retail's competitive sector, featuring three varieties: Applewood Smoked, Hickory Smoked, and Hickory Smoked Thick Cut.

In the market for goods and services, consumers of all ages are more likely to support brands with purpose built on sustainability, fair prices, good business practices, and positive contributions to society. People are willing to pay more for these products and services, and their willingness to engage with these brands over others increases each year.

"For standard shoppers, it seems a lot, but for us with allergies, it's about normal. It's hard to find enjoyable things we can all eat."

This spring, Dubai chocolate officially made its way into the mainstream, appearing as a cookie at Crumbl, a shake at Shake Shack, a chocolate bar at Trader Joe's, a donut at Krispy Kreme, and a returning latte flavor at Dunkin'.

Pop Mart's decision to pause physical Labubu sales in the UK comes due to overwhelming demand, resulting in long lines which could compromise the safety of customers.

The explosive growth of our meat stick products made increasing our production capabilities essential, and doing this in Los Angeles was an intentional choice.

Ford's ability to navigate tariffs and the shift toward electric vehicles is crucial, yet the company faces significant challenges, particularly with profitability in the near term.