ReportWire

Tag: hospitality

  • Japan's Popular LIVELY HOTELS Group Redefines Hostel Hospitality With the Grand Opening of HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA

    Japan's Popular LIVELY HOTELS Group Redefines Hostel Hospitality With the Grand Opening of HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA

    [ad_1]

    A Fusion of Urban Subculture and Hotel Sophistication – The Group Unveils the Hostel of Tomorrow in the Heart of Shibuya

    Global Agents, a foremost Japanese hospitality powerhouse celebrated for curating the distinctive LIVELY HOTELS collection, proudly announces the upcoming launch of HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA. As part of the unique ensemble of boutique hotels across Japan, LIVELY HOTELS continues its legacy of redefining hospitality experiences. Set to open its doors in February 2024, HOTEL GRAPHY promises an immersive experience at the intersection of modern hotel sophistication and the dynamic spirit found in overseas hostels. Nestled in the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo, this innovative property represents a paradigm shift in urban hospitality experiences, with reservations for lodging scheduled to begin around late January 2024.

    The hotel boasts a 24-hour lounge, a top-floor terrace with captivating views of Ebisu and Daikanyama, a billiard room, and a self-service refreshment corner with free hot drinks. The first-floor lobby doubles as a spacious restaurant and bar space, featuring complimentary beer during the daily Happy Hour. Here, travelers can connect with locals while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. The “Graphic Grill & Bar” restaurant offers a unique twist on the American diner experience, providing visually pleasing dishes and drinks designed to create a buzz among patrons.

    Embracing the changing work landscape, HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA will also offer a co-working service, “.andwork,” providing freelancers and remote workers with a dynamic base for their professional endeavors.

    With a total of 74 rooms ranging from standard to unique dormitories, HOTEL GRAPHY caters to travelers seeking an authentic yet diverse accommodation experience by seamlessly blending the perks of a modern hotel with the financial advantage and rich human interaction opportunities synonymous with hostels. Budget-friendly rates between 6,000 and 20,000 yen ensure accessibility for both hostel aficionados and those eager to explore the energetic hostel atmosphere.

    Situated on the redeveloped “Shibuya Bridge,” the hotel pays homage to the elevated railroad tracks of the former Tokyu Toyoko Line, expressing its history through graphic art and utilizing the former tracks as a key visual throughout the space. The location serves as a testament to the revitalization of Shibuya, connecting it with Daikanyama and creating a vibrant atmosphere in the southern area of the district. The unique design incorporates elements of Shibuya’s history and the old railway, with “rails” as a central visual theme throughout the hotel. Graphic art depicting the past of the elevated railway line and the evolution of Shibuya enhances the guest experience, providing valuable insights into the rich history of the location.

    As a part of the renowned LIVELY HOTELS collection, known for its six brands and 11 hotels across Japan, HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA expands the footprint to 12 locations. Following the success of “The Millennials” Shibuya, famous for its groundbreaking “SmartPod” sleeping units that have attracted waves of overseas guests and media, HOTEL GRAPHY aims to establish a new genre of the “hostel hotel” fusion in the trendsetting district of Shibuya.

    Founded in 2005, Global Agents, the parent company of LIVELY HOTELS, has experienced tremendous success in Japan’s rental market, notably with their brand of co-living spaces, Social Apartment. The consolidation of six lifestyle hotel brands under the name LIVELY HOTELS in 2020 solidified their position as a prominent player in Japan’s hospitality industry. With a current portfolio of 11 hotels and over 50 co-living apartments, Global Agents is dedicated to providing exceptional hospitality and memorable experiences, catering to the needs of today’s modern travelers.

    HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA – Offical Website

    Source: Global Agents Co., Ltd

    Related Media

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • This is what we can expect to see from meme stocks in 2024

    This is what we can expect to see from meme stocks in 2024

    [ad_1]

    It may be a couple of years since the meme-stock feeding frenzy hit its heights, but we’re still seeing occasional bursts of meme-like activity in number of stocks.

    No discussion of meme stocks would be complete without OG AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.
    AMC,
    -0.89%
    .
    But while the movie theater chain and original meme stock darling still grabs plenty of attention, it no longer fits the bill of a meme stock, according to Alicia Reese, VP of equity research at Wedbush. “AMC has seemingly lost its meme status, its share price having come crashing back down to earth over the past several months, particularly since its APE fold-in and reverse stock split,” she said. “AMC is now trading at a more normalized valuation, even if still at the high-end of its pre-meme historic range.”

    AMC’s shares ended Friday’s session at $6.65, a far cry from their high of $393.63 on June 2, 2021, during the meme-stock frenzy.

    Related: AMC’s stock falls more than 5% after company completes $350 million equity offering

    “AMC’s premium valuation here is driven in part by a sub-section of the shareholders it gained during its meme stage, who have remained loyal to the company and have long claimed to be AMC shareholders for life,” Reese added. “AMC shed all the rest of its meme-era shareholders and are now left with the lifers, along with some institutional shareholders now that valuation has come back to a more normalized range.”

    The analyst thinks that in 2024, AMC will continue to issue pre-authorized shares to pay down its high-debt balance, as evidenced by the $350 million equity offering completed this week. “The company is focused on right-sizing the balance sheet, while attempting to maintain strong relations with the AMC lifers still propping up the stock,” said Reese.

    Fellow original meme stock GameStop has also been in the news recently, with the company’s board of directors approving a new investment policy, which lets the company invest in equity securities, among other investments. The board also gave Chairman and Chief Executive Ryan Cohen the authority to manage the investment portfolio. The new policy was dubbed “alarming” and “inane” by Wedbush Managing Director Michael Pachter.

    “If he can invest in anything – farmland, chicken feed, cryptocurrency – that’s not in the best interests of the shareholders,” he told MarketWatch. “Heaven knows what he will do.”

    Related: GameStop’s plan to buy stocks with company cash ‘alarming’ and ‘inane,’ analyst says

    As for GameStop, the analyst describes the videogame retailer as a declining business, pointing to the company’s third-quarter revenue of $1.078 billion, which was down from $1.186 billion in the prior year’s quarter. “They are shrinking, period, and they can’t save their way to prosperity,” he added.

    The company’s new investment policy could also fuel more meme-style activity, according to Pachter, who says that Cohen’s moves will be closely watched. “He will invest in something and it will possibly become the next meme stock,” the analyst told MarketWatch. 

    Pachter pointed to Cohen’s decision in 2022 to unload his huge stake in beleaguered home goods retailer and sometime meme stock Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. just months after buying it. In August of that year Cohen sold his entire stake in Bed Bath & Beyond five months after accruing the stake in an activist campaign, amassing a profit of more than $58 million.

    Stocktwits, a social platform for investors and traders, told MarketWatch that it has seen a dedicated core audience of retail investors stick with the likes of AMC and GameStop. “Message volume and sentiment have remained elevated on the platform throughout the year, with their audiences growing temporarily around earnings or other events that create volatility,” Tom Bruni, senior writer at Stocktwits, told MarketWatch.

    Related: Small-cap Chinese stocks spark meme-like buzz

    Retail traders are still on the lookout for high-volatility situations, according to Bruni, who cited the example of Vietnamese electric vehicle stock VinFast Auto Ltd.
    VFS,
    +13.54%
    ,
    which had a “crazy month” in August before crashing back down. “However, we would note that there have been fewer instances of these types of meme stocks occurring this year, and their lifespan tended to be pretty short,” he added.

    “For stocks with the ‘meme’ potential in 2024, look to beaten-down areas of the market that already have strong retail investor communities around them,” Bruni told MarketWatch. “Several that stick out are electric vehicle stocks (specifically startups), solar stocks, or anything China-related. Traders will likely be looking for stocks at the intersection of these themes, like Lucid Group ($LCID), as potential ‘powder kegs’ for volatility in 2024.”

    Shares of Lucid Group Inc.
    LCID,
    -7.20%

    are down 30.2% in 2023, compared with the S&P 500 index’s
    SPX
    gain of 22.9%.

    One thing is for sure – the social media dynamics that created the meme stock phenomenon are not going away. “Internet culture will continue to be more prevalent in markets as the world becomes more digitized and young people age into participation,” Tommy Tranfo, head of community at Stocktwits, told MarketWatch. “Crypto markets are an area where we expect to see a large concentration of this activity, particularly within the context of a crypto bull market, which will likely bring in a new wave of market participants who will skew toward the internet culture demo.”

    Related: This EV company has a bigger market cap than Ford or GM. But you may not have heard of it.

    “New crypto meme communities such as the $BONK (a dog-themed coin on the Solana blockchain) are already clear examples of this craze taking place,” he added.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • How This Franchise Founder Scored Big Success By Going Smaller | Entrepreneur

    How This Franchise Founder Scored Big Success By Going Smaller | Entrepreneur

    [ad_1]

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Brandon Landry loves basketball, but he was built for business.

    The co-founder of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux brings forward-thinking and Southern hospitality to his endeavors — whether that’s the popular sports concept, his fine dining Supper Club, or the fast-growing QSR Smalls Sliders.

    “I grew up a sugarcane farmer’s son in south Louisiana. I didn’t grow up in the hospitality business,” Brandon said about his upbringing before entering the restaurant industry.

    Still “Southern hospitality” was part of his life. “It goes back to where time moved a little bit slower, and people just enjoyed the moment, they enjoyed the company,” he says. “Our purpose at Walk-On’s has always been to bring people together.”

    Origin of an idea

    Walk-On’s story began when founders Brandon Landry and Jack Warner were both Louisiana State University basketball team “walk-ons” around the turn of the millennium — determined to prove their worth on the team despite not being the star players. “I realized pretty early on in my career that I wasn’t going to play in the NBA,” said Brandon Landry to Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “I played seven minutes my senior year. If you know anything about basketball, that’s not a whole hell of a lot.”

    In 2003, the teammates learned they could team up for something bigger. Brandon and Jack became business partners when they opened the first Walk-On’s next to Tiger Stadium at their alma mater LSU.

    Related: This Founder Walked-On to a Top College Basketball Team in the ’90s. Today, He and Drew Brees Are Bringing the ‘Walk-On Mentality’ to Franchising.

    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux has been big from the beginning. The family-friendly sports bar and cajun cuisine concept has impressed culinary fans and sports fans for more than 20 years. ESPN even called Walk-On’s the best Sports Bar in America.

    With large locations and lots of menu items — not to mention the impressive interior design — Walk-On’s franchises are a big undertaking that have big rewards.

    Walk-On’s Sports restaurants grossed an average of $4.8 million in revenue in 2022. In 2023, 20 Walk-On’s were opened, which was five more than the year before.

    It’s a real entrepreneur success story. But even with Walk-On’s growth, Brandon Landry knew he could create a franchise restaurant business that was easier to enter and simpler to scale.

    Enter Smalls Sliders.

    Bringing Smalls Burgers to a big stage

    Brandon Landry has always been a fan of sliders, those tiny burgers that people crave. “I grew up a cheeseburger kid,” he said. Despite its popularity in certain circles, the cheeseburger slider hasn’t quite taken off in the way Brandon believes it can.

    Noticing what friend Todd Graves has achieved with the popular Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers led Brandon to take his shot at mastering the cheeseburger slider at a quick-service restaurant.

    Related: See the latest Franchise 500 rankings

    “I just saw what he did with one product, doing it better than anybody else in the world,” he said about Todd Graves and Raising Cane’s business model. “And really putting everything — all focus, all attention — on that and a great culture.”

    Now Brandon Landry wants to bring his “Smalls” burgers to a big stage.

    The Atlanta-based chain encourages people to #slidethru their fast drive-thru lanes or “camp out at our Can.” The Can is a clever name for the prefabricated modular Smalls Sliders building that is not only affordable but easy to set up.

    The 750-square-foot “Can” dining room-free design can be set up at a prepared site in only 30 minutes. It costs around $1.5 million to open a Smalls Sliders Can.

    Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees is co-owner of Smalls Sliders as well as a partner at Walk-On’s Sports restaurant.

    “There’s nobody in the space that is hand-patting and cooking to order. Just putting everything into the best cheeseburger slider there is,” Brandon said about the ways that Smalls Sliders is differentiating itself from the slider competition.

    Because of its fast expansion and innovative operation, the QSR brand has been featured as a Breakout Brand by Nation’s Restaurant News, as well as a Top New Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine.

    “If you’re going to do one thing, it better be damn good,” Brandon Landry said.

    [ad_2]

    Shawn P. Walchef

    Source link

  • Domino's Pizza Backs Guidance, Eyes Opening More Stores

    Domino's Pizza Backs Guidance, Eyes Opening More Stores

    [ad_1]

    By Najat Kantouar

    Domino’s Pizza Group said it backed its fiscal 2023 guidance expecting accelerating growth through additional opportunities mostly in the U.K. and Ireland markets.

    The pizza chain–the holder of the master franchise agreement to own, operate and franchise Domino’s stores in the U.K. and Ireland–said that it expects underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to be in the range of 132 million pounds ($165.6 million) to GBP138 million.

    The company added that it still expects to open at least 60 new stores this year.

    “Material progress has been made in recent years but there are a number of areas where we can significantly enhance growth,” Chief Executive Officer Andrew Rennie said.

    Write to Najat Kantouar at najat.kantouar@wsj.com

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Krispy Kreme has launched in Paris — and is already in trouble with the mayor's office

    Krispy Kreme has launched in Paris — and is already in trouble with the mayor's office

    [ad_1]

    Krispy Kreme has already run into trouble with the deputy mayor of Paris after opening its first store in the French capital this week. 

    The opening saw hundreds of Parisians flock to Krispy Kreme’s
    DNUT,
    +0.31%

    new shop, which occupies a site that previously housed a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. 

    The North Carolina doughnut purveyor’s arrival in Paris, however, also attracted the ire of Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, after the business put up a series of posters on the streets of Paris.

    The Socialist Party politician slammed Krispy Kreme’s poster campaign for “littering the streets,” which he described as “illegal, polluting and costly for the community.” The so-called guerrilla marketing tactic of flyposting is illegal under French law.

    “Prepare to get a big fine!” Grégoire said in response to a tweet celebrating the campaign that read: “Prepare to change your diet with @KrispyKremeFrr.”

    The poster campaign was developed by advertising agency Buzzman Time, which has previously designed marketing campaigns for Burger King and Uber Eats.

    The opening of Krispy Kreme’s Paris store marks the company’s first foray into France, which is now the second-biggest fast-food market in the world.

    The New York–listed company, which was founded in 1937, plans to build 500 doughnut stalls across France over the next five years. Krispy Kreme doughnuts are currently available in 38 countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar and Kazakhstan. Its 379 locations in the U.S. are in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

    According to its most recent financial results, Krispy Kreme generated $407 million in revenue in the third quarter of 2023, a 7.9% increase over the previous year. 

    Krispy Kreme and Buzzman Time have not responded to a request by MarketWatch for comment.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • TUI AG FY23 Rev EUR20.665B

    TUI AG FY23 Rev EUR20.665B

    [ad_1]

    TUI swings to profit in fiscal 2023 on record revenue, bookings up 11%

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Big Cyberpunk Update Added A Classic Keanu Reeves Meme

    Big Cyberpunk Update Added A Classic Keanu Reeves Meme

    [ad_1]

    Cyberpunk 2077 just received a final hurrah via an update that added a number of fixes and new features, such as a working metro system. The new transit system lets V experience a bit more of pedestrian life in Night City, including a few random events on the train. One such event is a recreation of a well-known meme starring Keanu Reeves in a very sad (but relatable) pose.

    Read More: Every Change In Cyberpunk 2077’s Last Big Update

    The meme in question is known as “Sad Keanu,” and it features actor Keanu Reeves (who plays Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077) chilling on a bench somewhere, casually eating some food while staring at the ground with a wistful expression. The original image was taken sometime around 2010 by photographer Ron Asadorian, and has since gone on to be a frequent image shared around the internet.

    How to find the ‘Sad Keanu’ meme in Cyberpunk 2077

    To find sad Keanu/sad Johnny, you need to update your game to version 2.1. After that, head to one of the newly opened metro stations (they are purple icons on the game’s map). At the metro, you have a choice of fast travel, or a first-person trip on the game’s metro system. Choose the latter by clicking “Ride metro.”

    After a quick glitched-out screen, you’ll take a seat on the metro and can look out the window as you traverse Night City. Alas, you can’t get up and walk around in the train.

    Sad Keanu is one of at least two randomly occurring events that can occur on the train (another involves someone begging for money). You can just spam the “Ride metro” option until you find him. Once you find him, you can just watch him sulk there, surrounded by some origami pigeons, sandwich in hand.

    Gif: CD Projekt Red / Kotaku

    Back in 2021, Keanu Reeves told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show that contrary to how the image looks, he wasn’t really sad when the photo was taken. “”I had some stuff going on. I was hungry,” he told the host.

    Since Johnny Silverhand can’t eat on account of being an engram and all that (and apparently there’s no smoking allowed on the transit system), I’d like to think sad Johnny is just sad that after blowing up that building the world still sucks. Maybe he really does want to get the band back together, but knows too much time has passed. Or maybe he’s just lonely watching V get all those new romance options. Right there with ya, samurai.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Jackson

    Source link

  • Hooters CEO on Revitalizing a Brand | Entrepreneur

    Hooters CEO on Revitalizing a Brand | Entrepreneur

    [ad_1]

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Quality leadership is like a bag of golf clubs, says Hooters of America CEO Sal Melilli.

    A golf bag full of top-notch clubs — from putter to driver — gives a golfer the essential tools they need for a great 18-hole round.

    Being a good leader also means having a lot of available tools, people, and ideas around you at all times to make it easier to navigate the countless situations that occur every day as an executive.

    “You got different clubs in the bag,” explains Sal Melilli to Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “Here are some of the tools that we can look at or things you could possibly consider to help get you through the point where you are today.”

    The “clubs” you can wield might come in different types of inspiration — mentors, media, memory — just like in golf there are woods, irons, wedges, and more.

    Sal never thought he’d get into social media, but eventually he gave in to that new form of communication, and discovered certain key people who have influenced him.

    “I also keep different notes around my desk for inspiration,” Sal Melilli added about the ways he finds inspiration as the chief executive of a legendary restaurant company. “It comes in different places.”

    The Hooters Story

    Hooters was founded in 1983 on April 1. Yes, that is April Fool’s Day, but this was no joke.

    As legend goes, the brand was born in Florida when “six businessmen with no restaurant experience whatsoever got together to open a place they couldn’t get kicked out of.”

    They call it the happiest accident in restaurant history.

    Humble origins led to monumental growth. Four decades have passed, but the mentality remains the same as it was in the ’80s.

    The Hooters brand was created from day 1 to be about fun — to “rescue people from the ordinary.”

    Eventually Hooters with its comfort food and comfortable surroundings — and the fashionable and cheery Hooters Girls — became cultural icons. The brand continues to grow in new ways, including globally.

    These days, Hooters franchises and operates more than “420 restaurants” in almost every state in the US, and 29 countries.

    Hooters grossed $860 million in 2022, according to Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report published by Restaurant Business Online.

    Hooters of America (HOA) Brands also operates Hoots Wings, an emerging QSR franchise with lots of different styles to offer chicken wing fans.

    Sal Melillis said Hooters has learned to diversify within its strengths. The International Miss Hooters Pageant was a big success for the brand and has even inspired similar live events at a local franchise level.

    Related: The Over-the-Top Strategy That Is Creating Lifelong Customers for This Restaurant Group

    You’ll also be able to buy Hooters products in the grocery store. “We’re on the cusp of some pretty exciting opportunities that we’re building in the licensing part around this brand,” he said.

    Though live events and retail products are becoming a way to continue developing the brand around the globe, it’s the dining room Hooters experience that is the core of the company. Because of this Hooter is investing in sports betting.

    With more than half of all states in the US allowing legal sports gambling, there is lots of revenue to be earned from tapping into the customers’ desire to bet on sports while eating wings and drinking beer in a fun environment.

    Hooters has launched live betting at dozens of restaurants in multiple states and has also partnered with brands like DraftKings.

    With new opportunities to bring the company into the future, Sal said the core of the Hooters has always been the people who work there.

    40 Years of Hooters

    Sal Melilli’s ascent at Hooters took him from sink to c-suite. Starting as a dishwasher and intern, he found himself mastering job after job within the organization until landing at the top.

    The chief executive’s astronomical rise is not an uncommon occurrence at Hooters.

    The company publicly prides itself on providing workers with the skills and training to succeed and move up. Or employees can move on to other career paths but still retain with them what they learned.

    During its 40th anniversary year in 2023, Hooters leaned into spotlighting the essence of their brand — the Hooter Girl.

    Especially important to the Hooters I AM initiative (standing for “Image, Attitude, Memorable”) is how the more than 500,000 Hooters Girl alumni are not merely defined by their iconic Orange Shorts, but by their many achievements in life after donning that classic outfit.

    “You know, the Hooters Girl has been, is now, and will be the absolute essence of the business,” the CEO said. “40% of our management staff is female. So some of them move on to great careers with us. They move through the management ranks.

    “We’ve really tried to put a focus on celebrating the empowerment of women.”

    Former Hooters Girl Cheryl Whiting-Kish, who is now Hooters Chief People Officer, said the 40th anniversary was a chance to honor those who personify the most important part of the brand.

    “I think it’s time to honor who she is as an individual,” she said in FSR Magazine. “I also hope to give the women of the brand again a spotlight to say, ‘Hey, I’m a leader of myself. I’m choosing to work for this brand. I choose to wear these orange shorts. I choose to leverage my time here whether it’s to make money while I go to school or to learn communication skills,’ or whatever it is.”

    Subscribe to Restaurant Influencers: Entrepreneur | Spotify | Apple

    About Restaurant Influencers

    Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

    Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

    [ad_2]

    Shawn P. Walchef

    Source link

  • How To Eat Healthy In Just 3 Bites

    How To Eat Healthy In Just 3 Bites

    [ad_1]

    Eating right is a great way to boost your immune system as well as your mental health, but changing your habits and sticking to a regimen can be daunting. Fortunately, you don’t have to do any of that hard work, if you follow The Onion’s tips for eating healthy in just three bites.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • “Workspitality” One Pandemic-Era Legacy Likely To Last

    “Workspitality” One Pandemic-Era Legacy Likely To Last

    [ad_1]

    Office workers may not like the idea of returning to their workplaces, but the addition of hotel-like conveniences and comforts may lead to a change of heart.

    [ad_2]

    Jeffrey Steele, Contributor

    Source link

  • Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    [ad_1]

    Whether it’s a child’s drawing or an expensive piece, artwork can really make a difference in how a home looks and feels. The Onion offers tips for displaying works of art in your home.

    2 / 11

    Avoid damage from sunlight by hanging paintings facing the wall.

    Avoid damage from sunlight by hanging paintings facing the wall.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    3 / 11

    Present a mix of small and large canvases so guests will think you know what you’re doing.

    Present a mix of small and large canvases so guests will think you know what you’re doing.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    4 / 11

    Cheap art can look great as long as you display it in an expensive house.

    Cheap art can look great as long as you display it in an expensive house.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    5 / 11

    The one on the left is a little crooked.

    The one on the left is a little crooked.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    6 / 11

    Choose a theme for your decorations, such as “cool” or “pretty.”

    Choose a theme for your decorations, such as “cool” or “pretty.”

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    7 / 11

    Create juxtaposition within your collection by asking the ugliest person you know to constantly hold up your best piece.

    Create juxtaposition within your collection by asking the ugliest person you know to constantly hold up your best piece.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    8 / 11

    Think you can handle a measuring tape, tough guy?

    Think you can handle a measuring tape, tough guy?

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    9 / 11

    If you’re looking to score some free art, most galleries toss all their unused works in the dumpster at the end of the day.

    If you’re looking to score some free art, most galleries toss all their unused works in the dumpster at the end of the day.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    10 / 11

    Cut out the middleman by simply displaying cash.

    Cut out the middleman by simply displaying cash.

    Image for article titled Tips For Displaying Artwork In Your Home

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • S&P 500 futures stall near four-month highs as traders eye Nvidia earnings

    S&P 500 futures stall near four-month highs as traders eye Nvidia earnings

    [ad_1]

    U.S. stock futures on Tuesday showed the November rally stalling ahead of results from AI chipmaker Nvidia.

    How are stock-index futures trading

    On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rose 204 points, or 0.58%, to 35151, the S&P 500 SPX increased 33 points, or 0.74%, to 4547, and the Nasdaq Composite COMP gained 159 points, or 1.13%, to 14285.

    What’s driving markets

    Stock-index…

    Master your money.

    Subscribe to MarketWatch.

    Get this article and all of MarketWatch.

    Access from any device. Anywhere. Anytime.


    Subscribe Now

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Honeymoons.com Launches New Platform: Deals by Honeymoons.com

    Honeymoons.com Launches New Platform: Deals by Honeymoons.com

    [ad_1]

    Deals by Honeymoons.com aims to provide users with exclusive access to exceptional honeymoon destinations and travel experiences.

    Honeymoons.com, the leader in romantic travel, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest offering: Deals by Honeymoons.com. The new platform, accessible at https://deals.honeymoons.com, is set to revolutionize how couples plan their dream honeymoons. With a focus on curated, handpicked deals, Deals by Honeymoons.com aims to provide users exclusive access to exceptional honeymoon destinations and travel experiences.

    What sets Deals by Honeymoons.com apart is the meticulous vetting process applied to each travel deal featured on the platform. Every destination and offer is carefully selected to ensure it meets the high standards that honeymooners and romantic travelers expect. The travel experts at Honeymoons.com work diligently to handpick deals that promise unforgettable moments and unparalleled experiences.

    The platform specializes in all-inclusive and adult-only deals, catering to couples seeking a stress-free, intimate, and romantic getaway. Whether you dream of an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, a secluded villa in Tuscany, or a tropical beach escape in the Caribbean, Deals by Honeymoons.com will have the perfect offer for you.

    Just in time for the upcoming Black Friday and holiday season, Deals by Honeymoons.com is launching with an array of irresistible deals and offers. These include:

    • Up to 40% off on select destinations
    • Over $1,000 in resort and airline credit
    • Free nights at luxurious accommodations
    • Complimentary airport transfers

    These exclusive deals are designed to make your dream honeymoon more affordable and unforgettable. Deals by Honeymoons.com is committed to providing continuous updates, ensuring you access the latest and most enticing offers in romantic travel.

    In addition to these fantastic deals, the platform will feature romantic travel deals exclusively available at Honeymoons.com. This means that members of the platform will enjoy a distinct advantage when it comes to planning their dream honeymoon or romantic getaway.

    Honeymoons.com has a rich history of helping couples create cherished memories on their romantic journeys, and Deals by Honeymoons.com is the latest extension of their commitment to providing the best in romantic travel experiences.

    Don’t miss out on the opportunity to access exclusive, handpicked honeymoon deals. Join Deals by Honeymoons.com today by visiting https://deals.honeymoons.com and embark on the journey of a lifetime with your loved one.

    Source: Honeymoons.com

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • How Starbucks Lost the Top Spot in China’s Coffee Race

    How Starbucks Lost the Top Spot in China’s Coffee Race

    [ad_1]

    Starbucks is losing its prime spot among chains racing to meet China’s growing thirst for coffee.

    Luckin Coffee has surpassed Starbucks as China’s biggest coffee chain by sales and units, company reports show, a comeback for the Chinese company after an accounting scandal that stalled its growth.

    Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Meet the Pizza-Making Robots Churning Out 600 Pies Hourly at PizzaHQ | Entrepreneur

    Meet the Pizza-Making Robots Churning Out 600 Pies Hourly at PizzaHQ | Entrepreneur

    [ad_1]

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    What happens when you mix automation with excellence? You get a robot revolution.

    PizzaHQ is leading the way by focusing on automation and efficiency to deliver affordable pizzas at a breakneck pace.

    Co-founder Jay Udrija and PizzaHQ are building a robot-powered pizza chain whose “relentless focus on process” also comes with a commitment to quality to set them apart.

    PizzaHQ, headquartered in New Jersey, is a high-volume “pizzeria” that manufactures its food offerings using innovative restaurant technology to produce lots of quality pies for a low cost and at a fast pace.

    Not compromising on quality is crucial to the PizzaHQ brand. It’s one thing to get a quick, cheap pizza, it’s another to get a quick, cheap, AND perfect, pizza.

    “What we didn’t want to do was sacrifice quality,” explained PizzaHQ co-founder Jay Udrija to Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “We really wanted to keep the authenticity of New York-style pizza and mimic the same product that we had at the time.”

    Along with traditional pick-up and delivery sales powered by Toast, PizzaHQ can use its pizza manufacturing technology to make custom pies for large corporate events, stadium service, and more.

    An advantage of automation is not just the obvious business benefits: cost savings, operation efficiency, ease of training, etc. Another reason to incorporate automation into a restaurant business is consistency for the consumer.

    “You get a consistent product every time,” Jay Udrija said. “There’s not going to be extra cheese one time and regular cheese one other time. It’s going to be the same cheese because the machines are much more consistent.”

    “We’re able to deliver a better product, we’re able to deliver way faster, we’re able to deliver at a lower price point.”

    Incorporating back-of-the-house technology and front-of-the-house technology like Toast, DAVO Sales Tax, and other tools for the modern restaurant operation allows PizzaHQ to prepare themselves for an even bigger future of getting pizzas into the hands of as many people as possible.

    “We are committed to being a tech-forward brand,” Jay said.

    Subscribe to Restaurant Influencers: Entrepreneur | Spotify | Apple

    About Restaurant Influencers

    Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

    Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

    [ad_2]

    Shawn P. Walchef

    Source link

  • Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More Stock Market Movers

    Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More Stock Market Movers

    [ad_1]

    These Stocks Are Moving the Most Today: Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Sleep Number’s stock falls 30% as company saw demand change ‘abruptly’

    Sleep Number’s stock falls 30% as company saw demand change ‘abruptly’

    [ad_1]

    Shares of Sleep Number Corp. tanked 30% in the after-hours session Tuesday after the mattress maker and retailer swung to a surprise quarterly loss, predicted a loss for the full year and said it reached an agreement with a shareholder that had been pushing for change.

    It was a “challenging” quarter for Sleep Number
    SNBR,
    -1.41%

    and the bedding industry, Chief Executive Shelly Ibach said. “The consumer demand trajectory changed abruptly midway through the quarter,” Ibach said.

    Sleep Number “acted quickly to further reduce costs, recalibrate our sales and marketing approach, and amend our credit agreement to provide additional covenant flexibility through the end of 2024,” she said.

    Sleep Number lost $2.32 million, or 10 cents a share, in the third quarter, versus earnings of $5 million, or 22 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter.

    Revenue dropped 13% to $473 million, the company said.

    Analysts polled by FactSet expected the company to earn 16 cents a share on sales of $509 million in the quarter.

    Sleep Number also kicked off a plan to reduce costs in light of the lower demand. It hopes the plan will result in about $50 million less in operating expenses next year, the company said.

    The cost-restructuring actions are “broad-based” and include layoffs as well as store closures, the company said.

    The layoffs will occur “across all areas of the organization,” including in corporate and research and development, the company said. It plans to close 40 to 50 stores by the end of next year, and slow down the rate of new-store openings and remodels.

    The restructuring will result in up to $20 million in one-time costs, with about $10 million of the costs falling in the fourth quarter, the company said.

    Sleep Number also dialed back its 2023 EPS outlook, calling for a per-share loss of up to 70 cents, including the fourth-quarter restructuring charges.

    That compares with a July guidance of 2023 EPS in a range between $1.25 and $1.75.

    Separately, Sleep Number appointed Stephen E. Macadam and Hilary A. Schneider to its board, effective immediately, expanding the board to 12 people.

    In conjunction with the appointments, Sleep Number entered into a cooperation agreement with shareholder Stadium Capital Management LLC.

    As part of the agreement, the board has established a “capital allocation and value enhancement committee” to review capital use and investments, it said.

    Independent director Michael J. Harrison said that the company was “grateful to have reached an agreement with Stadium Capital on a constructive path forward and are looking forward to working with Steve and Hilary toward our common goal of delivering long-term value for our shareholders.”

    Stadium Capital, which owns about 9% of Sleep Number, published a letter in September criticizing the company, its executives, and the “abysmal” shareholder returns.

    Shares of Sleep Number have lost 38% so far this year, contrasting with gains of about 14% for the S&P 500 index
    SPX.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Disney and other entertainment giants report after upbeat results from peers, but investors are getting harsher on companies that don’t deliver

    Disney and other entertainment giants report after upbeat results from peers, but investors are getting harsher on companies that don’t deliver

    [ad_1]

    Last month, Netflix Inc.
    NFLX,
    +1.80%

    stock jumped after it reported big subscriber gains and hiked prices. Last week, results from Paramount Global
    PARA,
    +15.44%

    beat expectations, sending shares of the streaming and entertainment giant on its best percentage gain in nearly a year, and Roku Inc.
    ROKU,
    +8.58%

    also offered an upbeat outlook.

    This week — as Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. all report results — we’ll get a deeper sense of whether the entertainment industry is starting to make investors happy again, even if they make viewers less happy in the process.

    Those companies will report as the streaming industry, under pressure from investors to turn a better profit, consolidates and as platforms charge more to watch and cram more advertisements into shows and films.

    Cable TV providers and movie theaters, too, are trying to figure out a way forward as streaming becomes more prevalent. Even as Hollywood’s writers come back to work following a strike that shut down production, its actors are still striking, with issues surrounding AI usage to portray actors, streaming payments and other issues in the balance.

    Disney
    DIS,
    +2.14%
    ,
    which reports results on Wednesday, faces questions about losses at Disney+, efforts to cut billions in costs and stamp out streaming-account sharing, its planned takeover of the streaming platform Hulu and speculation over which of its large media properties it might sell. BofA analysts recently estimated that ESPN, which Disney has leaned on for years, could be worth around $24 billion. Meanwhile, activist investor Nelson Peltz has been angling for seats on Disney’s board, and its fight with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues.

    Elsewhere, Warner Bros. Discovery
    WBD,
    +6.23%

    — the parent company of the streaming service Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Discovery Channel, CNN and other channels — reports on Wednesday, as it tries to turn its reserves of intellectual property into franchise films. Meme-stock theater chain AMC
    AMC,
    +2.19%
    ,
    which also reports Wednesday, following upbeat results from rival Cinemark Holdings Inc.
    CNK,
    -2.43%
    .

    Sales at the theater chains have been lifted in recent months by “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” While both were original films, analysts have said the avalanche of sequels and remakes in theaters is unlikely to stop.

    The pressure to boost profits will ultimately affect what TV shows and films get made, and what viewers actually consume. And a report from FactSet on Friday found that investors have been more unkind than usual to companies whose results come up short of Wall Street’s expectations.

    That report found that through the third-quarter earnings season, companies whose earnings miss expectations have seen an average stock-price drop of 5.2% during the two days before the publication of the results through the two days after. If that figure holds, it would be the stock market’s biggest adverse reaction to an earnings miss since the second quarter of 2011.

    This week in earnings

    Among S&P 500 companies, 55 including one from the Dow, will report quarterly results during the week ahead.

    EV startup Rivian Automotive Inc.
    RIVN,
    +0.68%

    reports amid concerns about EV demand. Following Ticketmaster parent Live Nation Entertainment Inc.’s
    LYV,
    +3.53%

    blowout quarterly results last week, results from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
    MSGE,
    +1.03%

    will shed more light on people’s appetites for live entertainment. Results from digital marketing platform Klaviyo Inc.
    KVYO,
    +3.86%

    and fast-casual chain Cava Group Inc.
    CAVA,
    +5.49%

    — both recent IPOS — will offer a deeper look at digital ad budgets and a competitive restaurant backdrop, respectively.

    The New York Times Co.
    NYT,
    +0.91%

    also reports during the week. So do Planet Fitness Inc.
    PLNT,
    -0.09%
    ,
    Gilead Sciences
    GILD,
    +0.44%
    ,
    eBay Inc.
    EBAY,
    +3.98%

    and Take-Two Interactive Software
    TTWO,
    +1.03%
    .

    The call to put on your calendar

    Cybersecurity drama: Cyberattacks are getting more severe, and customers are starting to feel their effects more acutely. Against that backdrop, casino and resort operator MGM Resorts International
    MGM,
    +5.27%

    will report quarterly results on Wednesday, in the wake of a cyberattack that took down some of its systems. MGM has said that attack, which the company disclosed in September, would cost them roughly $100 million.

    The company said the fallout of that attack — which disrupted hotel bookings and put hotels on manual operations, resulting in long lines — was largely contained to September. But the SEC last week accused software company SolarWinds Corp.
    SWI,
    +1.74%

    of failing to disclose its purported cybersecurity vulnerabilities, potentially leaving other companies wondering whether they’re vulnerable to similar legal action.

    The numbers to watch

    The gig economy and delivery demand: Rival ride-hailing platforms Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. report results on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Maplebear Inc.
    CART,
    +0.94%
    ,
    better known as the grocery-delivery platform Instacart, also reports on Wednesday.

    Analysts have been kinder to Uber
    UBER,
    +2.73%
    ,
    the larger of the two ride-hailing companies. But Lyft has tried to cut its prices and roll out new services, including one that tries to match women and non-binary riders and drivers. The financials from all three companies will land after strong results from food-delivery platform DoorDash Inc.
    DASH,
    +5.35%
    ,
    which has expanded its services into retail an effort to compete with Instacart and other delivery providers. And they’ll fill in the picture of rider demand following the back-to-school season and a bigger push to get workers back into offices.

    Beyond ride-sharing, results from Uber and Instacart will narrow the lens on delivery demand, as some analysts question whether higher prices for basics and the return of student-loan payments might make food delivery more dispensable. Analysts also seem likely to zero on in those companies’ high-margin digital-ad businesses, as more e-commerce platforms try to turn their apps and websites into online billboard space.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Here’s why you might not have to pay a 6% commission next time you sell a home

    Here’s why you might not have to pay a 6% commission next time you sell a home

    [ad_1]

    Going back decades, if you wanted to buy or sell a stock on the open market, you had to pay a 2% commission to buy and a 2% commission to sell. Then the advent of discount brokerage, led by Charles Schwab Corp.
    SCHW,
    +1.64%
    ,
    made lower commissions available until eventually, with improved technology and efficiency, the entire industry changed to enable the average investor to avoid commissions completely.

    But the internet hasn’t done much to reduce the cost of selling a home in the U.S. Sellers typically pay a 6% commission to a real-estate agent to list and sell a home, with the seller’s agent splitting that commission with the buyer’s agent. But all of that may change because of a verdict this week in a class-action lawsuit in federal court against the National Association of Realtors.

    Aarthi Swaminathan covers the case, what may happen next and the implications for home sellers and buyers:

    Real-estate advice from the Moneyist


    MarketWatch illustration

    Quentin Fottrell — the Moneyist — works with three readers to answer tricky real-estate questions:

    Economic outlook

    On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell may have bolstered the case that the central bank is finished raising interest rates for this economic cycle. The federal-funds rate was left in its target range of 5.25% to 5.50%.

    Jon Gray, the president of Blackstone Group, spoke with MarketWatch Editor in Chief Mark DeCambre and said he expected the Fed to succeed in bringing down inflation without pushing the U.S. economy into a deep recession.

    Friday employment numbers: Jobs report shows 150,000 new jobs in October as U.S. labor market cools

    Bond-market trend switches again

    The U.S. Treasury yield curve has been inverted for nearly a year.


    FactSet

    Normally, longer-term bonds have higher yields than those with short maturities. But the yield curve has been inverted for nearly a year, with 3-month U.S. Treasury bills
    BX:TMUBMUSD03M
    having higher yields than 10-year Treasury notes
    BX:TMUBMUSD10Y.

    There has been elevated demand for long-term bonds, as investors have anticipated a recession and a reversal in Federal Reserve interest-rate policy. When interest rates decline, bond prices rise and vice versa.

    As you can see on the chart above, the yield curve was narrowing until mid-October. Yields on 10-year Treasury notes were close to 5% on Oct. 19, but they have been falling the past several days as the three-month yield has remained close to 5.5%.

    In this week’s ETF Wrap, Christine Idzelis reports on where all the money is flowing in the bond market.

    In the Bond Report, Vivien Lou Chen summarizes the action as investors react to the Federal Reserve’s decision not to change its federal-funds-rate target range this week and to other economic news.

    For income-seekers looking to avoid income taxes, here’s a deep dive into municipal bonds, with taxable-equivalent yields and a deeper look at those within four high-tax states.

    Ford’s good news — in the bond market

    Ford Motor Co.’s debt rating has been lifted by S&P to investment-grade.


    Getty Images

    Ford Motor Co.’s
    F,
    +4.14%

    credit rating was upgraded to an investment-grade rating by Standard & Poor’s on Monday. This takes about $67 billion in bonds out of the high-yield, or “junk,” market, as Ciara Linnane reports.

    A stock-market warning based on history

    The original Magnificent Seven.


    Courtesy Everett Collection

    By now you have probably heard the term “Magnificent Seven” used to describe stocks of the tremendous tech-oriented companies that have led this year’s rally for the S&P 500
    SPX
    : Apple Inc.
    AAPL,
    -0.52%
    ,
    Microsoft Corp.
    MSFT,
    +1.29%
    ,
    Amazon.com Inc.
    AMZN,
    +0.38%
    ,
    Nvidia Corp.
    NVDA,
    +3.45%
    ,
    Alphabet Inc.
    GOOGL,
    +1.26%

    GOOG,
    +1.39%
    ,
    Meta Platforms Inc.
    META,
    +1.20%

    and Tesla Inc.
    TSLA,
    +0.66%
    .
    With Tesla’s recent decline, that company is now the ninth-largest holding in the portfolio of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
    SPY,
    which tracks the benchmark index. Here are the top 10 companies held by SPY (11 stocks, including two common-share classes for Alphabet), with total returns through Thursday:

    Company

    Ticker

    % of SPY portfolio

    2023 total return

    2022 total return

    Total return since end of 2021

    Apple Inc.

    AAPL,
    -0.52%
    7.2%

    37%

    -26%

    1%

    Microsoft Corp.

    MSFT,
    +1.29%
    7.1%

    46%

    -28%

    5%

    Amazon.com Inc.

    AMZN,
    +0.38%
    3.5%

    64%

    -50%

    -17%

    Nvidia Corp.

    NVDA,
    +3.45%
    3.0%

    198%

    -50%

    48%

    Alphabet Inc. Class A

    GOOGL,
    +1.26%
    2.1%

    44%

    -39%

    -12%

    Meta Platforms Inc. Class A

    META,
    +1.20%
    1.9%

    158%

    -64%

    -8%

    Alphabet Inc. Class C

    GOOG,
    +1.39%
    1.8%

    45%

    -39%

    -11%

    Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B

    BRK.B,
    +0.80%
    1.8%

    13%

    3%

    17%

    Tesla Inc.

    TSLA,
    +0.66%
    1.7%

    77%

    -65%

    -38%

    UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    UNH,
    -0.98%
    1.4%

    2%

    7%

    9%

    Eli Lilly and Company

    LLY,
    -2.15%
    1.3%

    60%

    34%

    115%

    Sources: FactSet, State Street (for SPY holdings)

    Five of these stocks (including the two Alphabet share classes) are still down from the end of 2021. SPY itself has returned 14% this year, following an 18% decline in 2022. It is still down 7% from the end of 2021.

    Mark Hulbert makes the case that a decade from now, the Magnificent Seven are unlikely to be among the largest companies in the stock market.

    More from Hulbert: These dividend stocks and ETFs have healthy yields that can lift your portfolio

    A different market opportunity: India is seeing a multidecade growth surge. Here’s how you can invest in it.

    The MarketWatch 50


    MarketWatch

    The MarketWatch 50 series is back, with articles and video interviews starting this week, including:

    PayPal soars after earnings report

    PayPal CEO Alex Chriss.


    MarketWatch/PayPal

    After the market close on Wednesday, PayPal Holdings Inc.
    PYPL,
    +1.89%

    announced quarterly results that came in ahead of analysts’ expectations, and the stock soared 7% on Thursday even though the company lowered its target for improving its operating margin.

    In the Ratings Game column, Emily Bary reports on the positive reaction to PayPal’s new CEO, Alex Chriss.

    A less enthusiastic earnings reaction: EV-products maker BorgWarner’s stock suffers biggest drop in 15 years after downbeat sales outlook

    Consumers drive mixed reactions to earnings results

    Apple Inc. reported mixed quarterly results.


    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    Here’s more of the latest corporate financial results and reactions. First the good news:

    And now the news that may not be so good:

    Harsh verdict for SBF

    FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.


    AP

    It might seem that some legal battles never end, but it took only a year from the collapse of FTX for the cryptocurrency exchange’s founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, to be convicted on all seven federal fraud and money-laundering charges brought against him. The charges were connected to the disappearance of $8 billion from FTX customer accounts.

    Here’s more reaction and coverage of the virtual-currency industry:

    Want more from MarketWatch? Sign up for this and other newsletters to get the latest news and advice on personal finance and investing.

    [ad_2]

    Source link