Every week, the enterprise world throws us a mixture of surprises, frustrations, and massive experiments. Some firms are doubling down on previous methods, others try daring new strikes, and some are simply making an attempt to maintain up.
Should you’re a client, you’ve most likely felt it, too—whether or not it’s on the airport, in a restaurant, or whenever you’re simply looking for dinner.
This week’s tales present how briskly the bottom is shifting. Airways are lastly dealing with pushback after years of tacking on charges, builders wish to landlords to off-load properties, and even Cracker Barrel is making an attempt to tug off a makeover (with blended opinions). In the meantime, Starbucks is chasing well being traits, tipping is slipping, and one California politician is getting quite a lot of consideration for his on-line trolling.
Right here’s what you might need missed.
Airways get sued over “windowless” window seats
Delta and United are dealing with lawsuits from passengers who say they paid additional for a window seat, solely to search out themselves looking at a wall. The circumstances are a part of an even bigger backlash in opposition to airways’ infinite charges, which have pulled in additional than $12 billion lately.
Lennar turns to landlords to clear a housing glut
With a report 119,000 unsold new U.S. properties sitting in the marketplace, homebuilder Lennar rolled out its Investor Market. The location is constructed for small landlords trying to scoop up properties, particularly in softer Solar Belt markets.
Cracker Barrel goes for a glow-up
Cracker Barrel is making an attempt to modernize with a brand new brand, brighter eating rooms, and a marketing campaign with nation music star Jordan Davis. Some followers, nevertheless, aren’t offered, and really feel the chain dangers dropping the comfortable vibe that they love.
Starbucks checks coconut water and protein foam
PSL season could also be again, however Starbucks can also be pushing coconut water–primarily based drinks and even a protein-packed chilly foam in its iced lattes and different chilled drinks. The espresso big is leaning onerous into well being and wellness, hoping it’ll stick as a lot as pumpkin spice.
Gavin Newsom trolls Trump—and wins followers
California’s governor has been posting in Trump’s ALL-CAPS model, mocking the president on-line. The technique is touchdown—his social media following, approval scores, and even betting odds for 2028 have all jumped.
Claire’s chapter plan finds a purchaser
The tween jewellery chain filed for Chapter 11 earlier this month, however Ames Watson swooped in to purchase the enterprise. The deal means as much as 950 Claire’s shops might keep open as an alternative of shutting down.
FDA widens recall on “radioactive” shrimp
Extra shrimp manufacturers have been pulled from cabinets after checks confirmed potential Cesium-137 contamination. The FDA says no diseases are linked up to now, nevertheless it recommends tossing any affected merchandise.
TSA bans cordless hair instruments in checked luggage
Should you’re packing for a visit, depart the cordless curlers and straighteners out of your checked baggage. TSA says the lithium-ion batteries and butane are a fireplace hazard—however you’ll be able to deliver one in your carry-on if it’s lined.
Tipping hits a seven-year low
Based on Toast, the common tip at full-service eating places dropped to 19.1%. Some say “tipflation” is guilty, with diners in California tipping the least (17.3%) and Delaware probably the most (21.4%).
LinkedIn names its high schools for the AI period
For the primary time, LinkedIn ranked colleges on how nicely they’re making ready college students for AI-focused jobs. Caltech and MIT lead the AI pack, whereas Princeton took the general high spot for profession outcomes.
