Author Archives: Billy Busko

Walmart recently commented that certain customers were pulling back on their basket size with fewer units purchased – and fewer calories.  When the world’s largest retailer talks, many people listen.  Walmart was referencing the latest weight-loss movement: prescription weight-loss drugs that have achieved blockbuster status over just the past year.  Walmart’s comment has further fueled […]

It was not long ago that families sat around the Thanksgiving dinner table discussing what they would do next: leisurely enjoy a second round of pumpkin pie, or race to Walmart to line up for the 12:00am Black Friday sale to score a deeply discounted flat-screen TV.  Then, Amazon exerted its influence by providing the […]

It is expected that within the next few years China will become the world’s largest luxury goods market, a distinction currently held by the U.S.  While on this path for a number of years, it seemed last year that China’s ascent may be paused.  However, fundamental economic elements and unique consumer behavior have proven that […]

I recall a college economics class when I first heard the term “NIMBY”.  It was a clever way to sum up certain negative feelings – Not In My Back Yard – as in do not build that nuclear power plant in my town. Recently, the terms reshoring and nearshoring are grabbing headlines.  One clever writer […]

Last month, my colleague Maeghan Thompson wrote about how consumers and retailers are planning to cope with what could be a recessionary Holiday season.  In the meantime, forecasters have now given their predictions of Holiday sales.  At first sight, the estimates seem rather jolly, but the fuller picture shows Scrooge in the background. To provide […]