Christmas tree prices are up this year and supply is tight. The most likely causes are the Great Recession and the weather. A third possibility, though, is a bit less evident. This is the story: The Christmas Tree Supply Where?…
A Closer Look at the Digitization in Our Lives
Recorded music used to start with a label and an artist. The production process was expensive because of the skilled technicians and the sophisticated equipment. Add to that a music video, the physical album, the distribution process, and what do…
Everything You Never Knew About the Sandwich
The Earl of Sandwich might have created the first slab of beef on two slices of bread because he wanted to eat at his desk (at the Admiralty). As one theory goes, he was hungry. Since waiting for his main…
A Tale of Wine and Weather
Because Italy, France, and Spain will have the smallest grape harvest in 56 years, we will be enjoying three billion fewer bottles of wine. You can see below that the heart of the world’s wine country was hit: Our story…
How Brexit Could Change a Big Mac
The Brexit impact could include McDonald’s Big Macs if the United Kingdom winds up with tariffs on cheddar cheese from Ireland.
Should Norway Pull the (Electric Vehicle) Plug?
Norway is debating the “Tesla tax.” Targeting all heavy electric cars, the tax increase for some Tesla models could be massive: Even more broadly though, Norway is deciding when and if to diminish electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. Irresistible Incentives Norway…
The Washing Machine Trade War
My LG washing machine was more expensive than it should have been. The reason takes us to washing machine dumping and tariffs. The Washing Machine Wars My Korean-made washing machine (and others like it) was the target of a complaint…
A Florida Orange Juice Squeeze
On one side of the Florida orange industry, we have shrinking orange juice demand while on the other, citrus greening and Irma have struck.
Where Have All of the Husbands (and Wives) Gone?
If you are an Elvis minister in Las Vegas, you have a problem. Nevada’s marriage rate is way down and so too is the wedding business. The bigger story though, is about shifting marriage markets. The Decline of Marriage As…
Why Hamilton Fights Bots
Hoping to control Hamilton’s ticket prices, the show’s producers are waging a war against the bots and scalpers that distort supply and demand.