• Macy's just announced the list of locations it will shutter this year.
• The 66 closures are part of a broader plan to shutter 150 stores by the end of 2026.
• The department store chain has struggled as shoppers turn to lower-priced rivals and online retailers.

Macy's just revealed a list of 66 stores across 22 states that will close this year.

The company said most of the locations on the list are expected to close before May.

The stores announced Thursday are the first of 150 locations that the retailer plans to shutter through 2026. Following the closings, there will be about 350 Macy's left.

"We are closing underproductive Macy's stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go-forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service," CEO Tony Spring said in a statement.

Macy's has struggled for years as online shopping and lower-priced options have grown and the chain's in-store experience floundered. Over the past decade, its share price has been down more than 50%.

The department store chain said its closure plan will allow it to focus on its best-performing locations and online experience, where it will refresh its merchandising assortment and modernize the shopping experience.

Macy's isn't the only department store struggling. Kohl's announced this week that it would close more than two dozen stores this year, and over the past five years, Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy.

Here's a full list of the Macy's stores that will close this year.

Arizona

Superstition Springs Center
6535 E Southern Ave, Mesa

California

Broadway Plaza
 750 W 7th St., Los Angeles

Hillsdale Furniture (Closed in FY2024.)
 2838 South El Camino Real, San Mateo

Sunrise Mall
6000 Sunrise Mall, Citrus Heights

Westminster Mall
300 Westminster Mall, Westminster

NewPark Mall
200 NewPark Mall, Newark

Mission Valley Home (Closed in FY2024, furniture business relocating.)
1555 Camino De La Reina, San Diego

Otay Ranch Town Center
2015 Birch Rd Ste. 2, Chula Vista

Village At Corte Madera
1400 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera

Downtown Plaza
414 K St., Sacramento

Colorado

Northfield Stapleton
8298 E Northfield Blvd, Denver

Streets At Southglenn Furniture (Previously announced and closed.)
6797 South Vine Street, Centennial

Florida

Boynton Beach Mall
801 N Congress Ave. Ste 100, Boynton Beach

Fort Lauderdale Furniture (Furniture business relocating.)
4501 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale

Pembroke Furniture (Furniture business relocating.)
13640 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines

South Dade Furniture (Closed in FY2024, furniture business relocating.)
13251 South Dixie Highway, Miami

West Shore Plaza
298 Westshore Plz, Tampa

Altamonte Furniture (Going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
820 W Town Pkwy, Altamonte Springs

Southgate
3501 S Tamiami Traill Ste 600, Sarasota

Boca Raton Furniture (Previously announced and closed. Furniture business relocating.)
9339 Glades Road, Boca Raton

Georgia

Gwinnett Furniture (Going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
3360 Venture Parkway, Duluth

Gwinnett Place
2100 Pleasant Hill Rd Ste 2318, Duluth

Johns Creek Town Center (Small format location.)
3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee

Idaho

Silver Lake Mall
200 W Hanley Ave Ste 200-4, Coeur D'alene

Illinois

White Oaks Mall
104 White Oaks Mall, Springfield

Louisiana

Acadiana Mall
5733 Johnston St. Ste 2098, Lafayette

Massachusetts

Independence Mall
101 Kingston Collection Way Ste 1, Kingston

Maryland

Security Square
6901 Security Blvd Ste 871, Baltimore

Harford Malle
600 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air

Michigan

Grand Traverse Mall
3400 S Airport Rd W, Traverse City

Lakeside Malle
14200 Lakeside Cir, Sterling Heights

Oakland Mall
500 W 14 Mile Rd, Troy

Genesee Valley Center
4600 Miller Rd, Flint

Minnesota

Maplewood Mall
3001 White Bear Ave N Ste 2035, Maplewood

Burnsville Center
14251 Burnhaven Dr, Burnsville

Missouri

Metro North Mall
400 NW Barry Rd Ste 150, Kansas City

South County Mall
10 S County Center Way, Saint Louis

New Jersey

Essex Green Shopping Center (Backstage location, expected to be closed mid-year.)
459 Prospect Avenue, West Orange

New York

Lake Success (Backstage location, going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
1550 Union Turnpike, New Hyde Park

Melville Mall (Backstage location, going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
834 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington

Queens Place (Backstage location, expected to be closed mid-year.)
88-01 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst

Sheepshead Bay (Backstage location, going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
2027 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn

Mall At Greece Ridge
397 Greece Ridge Center, Rochester

Sunrise Mall
400 Sunrise Mall, Massapequa

Brooklyn
422 Fulton St, Brooklyn

Staten Island Furniture (Furniture business relocating.)
98 Richmond Hill Road, Staten Island

Fordham Place (Backstage location, going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
404 East Fordham Rd, Bronx

Ohio

Fairfield Commons
2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek

Franklin Park
5001 Monroe St Ste D100, Toledo

Oregon

Streets Of Tanasbourne
2055 NE Allie Ave, Hillsboro

Salem Center
400 High St NE, Salem

Pennsylvania

Logan Valley Mall
5580 Goods Ln Ste 2178, Altoona

Exton Square Mall
245 Exton Square Mall, Exton

Philadelphia City Center
1300 Market St, Philadelphia

Wyoming Valley Mall
59 Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes Barre

Tennessee

Oak Court
4545 Poplar Ave, Memphis

Texas

Almeda Mall
100 Almeda Mall, Houston

Fairview
201 Stacy Rd, Fairview

Shops at Willow Bend
6209 W Park Blvd, Plano

Southlake Town Square (Small format location.)
321 State St, Southlake

West Bend (Small format location.)
1751 River Run #101, Fort Worth

Highlands of Flower Mound (Small format location.)
6101 Long Prairie Rd Ste 500, Flower Mound

Virginia

Southpark Mall
170 Southpark Cir, Colonial Heights

Washington

South Hill Mall
3500 S Meridian Ste 985, Puyallup

Redmond Furniture (Going out of business sale to occur in Q1.)
15340 NE 24th St, Redmond

Kitsap Mall
10315 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale

• In 2024, vintage watches and expensive alarm clocks were the epitome of luxury.
• This year, however, $600 calendars and stained-glass lamps have become the new status symbols.
• Giant tote bags from Coach and oval-shaped Miu Miu glasses also signify luxury and taste in 2025.

A new year calls for fresh routines, lofty goals, and the latest luxuries.

While 2024 was all about vintage watches and expensive alarm clocks, different status symbols are taking over in 2025.

Home decor is now all about stained-glass lamps and $600 calendars. Fashionable outfits, on the other hand, aren't complete without giant tote bags and fancy glasses.

Here's a closer look at the luxurious products you'll see everywhere — and probably be tempted to buy — this year.

Everyone wants to elevate their spaces with stained-glass Tiffany lamps.

If you watched any Christmas gift hauls on TikTok recently, there's a good chance you've heard more than a few mentions of Tiffany lamps.

The stained-glass pieces were first made by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the original design director of Tiffany & Co., in the late 1890s.

His style became so popular that other artisans picked it up, and it has remained an interior design staple. Now, most colorful glass lamps are called "Tiffany" lamps, regardless of the craftsman who made them.

To add one to your home this year, you can buy a Tiffany lamp from a modern artisan or search thrift stores for a vintage one. However, if you want an authentic piece from Tiffany Studios, be prepared to spend between $20,000 and $120,000.

All the "it girls" are carrying oversize tote bags from Coach.

Coach has massively rebounded in recent years thanks to its new trendy purse styles, flashy social-media ads, and a loyal Gen Z fan base.

So, of course, the go-to bag for 2025 is a style from the New York City brand: the Brooklyn 39 shoulder bag.

Typically made from smooth leather, the totes are sold in seven colors and measure 17 inches tall. Some fans of the $495 bags include TikTok fashion influencers and model Bella Hadid.

Coach also offers a brown suede version of the product.

Whether you need glasses or not, you'll probably want a pair of Miu Miu frames soon enough.

We've long surpassed the days when glasses were considered nerdy and unappealing. Still, some pairs are more chic than others.

Enter the Miu Miu Regard frames. At $505 a piece, the oval glasses are decorated with a tortoiseshell print and set with transparent lenses, which are said to block the sun and blue light.

Adding to the appeal is the fact that the Miu Miu acessory looks more like a pair of traditional readers than sunglasses, which they technically are.

If you need more convincing, just look at Sabrina Carpenter wearing them.

Car air fresheners are out, and fancy scent diffusers are in.

Classic, tree-shaped air fresheners are convenient. You can find them at just about any store, and they typically cost under $3 each.

The Pura Car Diffuser, on the other hand, takes things to the next level. The $34.99 device fits in most cupholders, plugs into car USB ports, and releases luxury scents from brands like Anthropologie and Nest.

Each cartridge costs under $18 and is said to remain fragrant for at least 30 days. You can also adjust scent intensity via an app, and the diffuser stops and starts as you move your car.

Talk about high tech.

iPads have made a comeback.

For a while there, iPads seemed a lot like glorified, oversize iPhones. In 2025, however, the tablets are key to organization and success.

Since the holiday season, people on TikTok have been showcasing their new tech and, more importantly, the apps and features they'll use most in the new year.

One popular video with over 32,000 views shows customized calendars, vision boards, and notepads with the caption, "2025 iPad girl loading."

There are a few iPads on the market, but the two most popular options are the 13-inch iPad Pro ($1,299) and the 13-inch iPad Air ($799).

Paper calendars are fine, but digital ones from Skylight are far more lavish.

Maybe iPads are too small for your liking, or maybe their surplus of apps distracts you from staying organized.

That's where Skylight comes in. For months, people have praised the brand's digital calendars on TikTok, saying they appreciate the product's touchscreen checklists, color-coding options, and massive size.

The calendars also double as frames, displaying slideshows of your favorite photos as a screensaver.

However, if you want to add one to your home, be prepared to spend a decent chunk of change. The calendars cost between $159 and $599 each.

You'll likely see Rhode's gray skincare bottles on every bathroom counter.

Hailey Bieber launched her skincare brand Rhode in 2022, and it's been a steady player in the beauty industry ever since.

Her line's lip treatments and phone cases were the skincare status symbols of 2024, but its face products are now set to have a big year.

Beauty lovers have recently been displaying their gray bottles of the brand's $32 glazing milk, $38 moisturizers, and other products in their recent TikTok videos. Rhode was also a major part of many "what I got for Christmas" hauls online.

Many are also looking forward to coming releases, which some fans speculate will include eye patches and skincare sticks.

You can skip the line at Starbucks if you have a fancy espresso maker at home.

So, what's the machine of choice this year? Look no further than Terra Kaffe's TK-02. Many coffee fanatics got the device as holiday presents to upgrade their daily espresso.

The $1,695 device is sold in black and white colorways and has a touchscreen that makes it easy to brew your morning cup even when you're half asleep.

It makes hot and cold drinks, works with all kinds of milk, and utilizes pre-ground or whole beans.

If you don't have a KitchenAid mixer, now is the time to get one.

Visit any baker or chef's kitchen, and you'll likely find a KitchenAid mixer. One specific one, though, stands out among the rest.

In 2025, foodies can't get enough of the $699.95 KitchenAid Design Series mixer, which features a forest-green body and a wooden mixing bowl.

It's arguably the most aesthetically pleasing design the brand has ever released and is considered a bestseller at Williams Sonoma.

• Starbucks is hosting a three-hour meeting for store employees later this month.
• The meeting will focus on ways that employees can make Starbucks "a welcoming coffeehouse" again.
• Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is trying to turn around results at the coffee chain.

Starbucks store employees in the US will have to attend a three-hour training session later this month, Business Insider has learned, as the coffee chain's new CEO attempts to revitalize it.

Starbucks' role as a place for customers to hang out is expected to be a key topic at the meeting, according to a description from Starbucks' intranet seen by BI.

"We will be talking about an opportunity to refocus on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by skilled baristas," the description reads.

The meetings will take place at different times at different stores, four store employees told BI. They'll happen between January 21 and 26 and will be entitled "Welcome Back to Starbucks," according to one sign posted at a store and seen by BI.

Store employees, whom Starbucks calls "partners," have to attend the meeting, even if that means going to another store's version because it fits their schedule better, two partners said. In some cases, partners will fill in shifts at other stores so that employees there can be present, one partner said.

Two partners told BI that their stores planned to close their dining rooms but keep the drive-thru lanes open during the meeting.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

Starbucks is in the midst of a turnaround effort after reporting slumping sales in recent quarters.

Brian Niccol, who oversaw major changes at Mexican grill chain Chipotle, became Starbucks' CEO in September. Since then, he's unveiled several changes, from the reintroduction of self-service condiment bars to instituting a goal of four minutes or less for preparing customers' orders.

Niccol has also said that he wants Starbucks stores to be "inviting places to linger" while also serving customers who want quick to-go service.

One partner at a Starbucks store in Florida told BI that he hopes Starbucks will unveil more changes to streamline workflow at his store during the meeting.

He pointed to some adjustments that Starbucks has already made under Niccol's leadership, such as instructing baristas to prepare some drinks with a blender instead of shaking them — a small change that saves each barista valuable seconds when filling orders.

"I would love to see a continuation of that," he said.

Do you work at Starbucks and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected].

• This January, Costco is stocking its shelves with fun food items and home goods.
• Accomplish 2025 workout goals with the King Smith WalkingPad Pro folding treadmill.
• I recommend picking up the Pressed wellness smoothies and Del Real tamales.

With the start of the new year, I'm excited to see what kinds of products Costco will introduce in 2025. As an employee, I always love browsing the store for unique items I haven't seen before.

This January, I've already noticed lots of great food, home goods, and beauty products on shelves. Here are 10 things I recommend checking out at Costco this month.

The Optimum Nutrition micronized creatine powder could be good for fitness fanatics.

I think the Optimum Nutrition micronized creatine powder could be a great addition to your routine, especially if you're hitting the gym.

According to its packaging, this powder can support muscle building and performance when used daily, over time, alongside an exercise routine. To use it, mix a rounded teaspoon of the unflavored powder into a shake or glass of water.

The Optimum Nutrition creatine powder is $20 at my location. 

The Pressed wellness smoothies are one of my favorite recent purchases.

Each box of the Pressed wellness smoothies contains 10-ounce bottles in acai-berry, strawberry-orange-mango, tropical, and greens flavors. The smoothies contain 100% juice and three to four grams of dietary fiber.

At my location, an eight-count package costs $16.90, which comes out to less than $2.20 per bottle.

Prepare for spring and summer activities with the Macsports XL folding wagon.

As Costco starts bringing in springtime items, I think the Macsports XL folding wagon will be a hot seller.

This collapsible wagon has brakes for easy stopping, an inside zipper pocket, and an adjustable handle. The wagon can also hold up to 350 pounds and has durable, all-terrain wheels.

The Macsports wagon is $90 at my Costco. 

The Cat Cube lithium four-in-one portable jump starter could come in handy.

If you ask me, everyone should have the Cat Cube lithium portable jump starter in their garage or car.

This four-in-one tool has a few features, including a lithium jump starter and an air compressor.

The Cat Cube lithium portable jump starter costs $130 at my location.

You can add the Turbotax 2024 federal e-file and state download to your cart this month.

I recently added the Turbotax 2024 federal e-file and state download to my shopping list.

These downloads are available in deluxe, home-and-business, and premier packages, so there's something for almost everyone's tax needs. Each package also comes with a $10 in-product credit that can be used for services like live tax advice or state e-file fees.

At my store, the Turbotax download packages run from $56 to $96.

Keep extra food cool in the Midea convertible chest freezer.

If you're running out of freezer space, I recommend heading to Costco to check out this Midea product.

This freezer chest has two removable wire storage baskets, a front-mount temperature control, and an interior LED light. Best of all, it can turn into a refrigerator with the flip of a switch.

The Midea convertible chest freezer is $200 at my location.

The Del Real cheese-and-green-chile tamales could be a delicious lunch or dinner.

If you're a fan of Mexican-style dishes, these Del Real tamales are a great find.

The tamales come with a cheese-and-green-chile filling — don't worry, they aren't spicy — and take less than three minutes to heat in the microwave. I also like that each serving contains 13 grams of protein.

At my store, a 15-count pack of the Del Real tamales can be found in the deli section for $18.80.

The Thomasville Wills oversize chair and storage ottoman are comfy and functional.

The Thomasville Wills oversize chair and storage ottoman both have ultra-soft furry corduroy fabric that's comfortable and chic. The chair, which measures 64 inches long and 35 inches high, has an extra-wide seat and two large pillows.

At my store, this set is $500.

Upgrade your skincare routine with the Hero Mighty Patches.

Acne products can be expensive, so I was happy to see the Hero Mighty Patches available at Costco.

Each package contains 54 original patches for nighttime use and 27 invisible patches that can be worn during the day. These patches can extract pus and visibly shrink whiteheads.

The Hero Mighty Patches are $23 at my Costco.

Get a workout in with the King Smith WalkingPad Pro folding treadmill.

If you have a busy lifestyle, the King Smith treadmill could be a good way to accomplish your workout goals at home.

This product comes fully assembled and has a USB charging port, a 250-pound weight capacity, and a brushless motor (so the walking pad runs smoothly and quietly). It's also foldable, making it easy to store in small spaces.

The King Smith walking pad is $500 at my store.

• Business Insider spoke to sneakerheads about which pairs to invest in versus styles you can skip.
• Runners like Asics and New Balance are back and have taken advantage of collaborations.
• Nike Dunks are too mass-produced and aren't worth the purchase.

Whether you're buying your second or 20th pair of sneakers, it's important to know what you're spending your money on.

Michael Portone, the founder of Chicago-based shoe business Endless Supply, says sneakers are like stocks. Just as the stock market has peaks and valleys, the sneaker industry uses the laws of supply and demand to determine a shoe's value. That also means designs, colorways, and brands are always coming in and out of style.

Business Insider spoke with three sneaker enthusiasts — also called "sneakerheads" — about which pairs they think are worth investing in and what styles they'd skip right now.

Here's what they said.

Asics is acing the sneaker industry

Portone, who has 14 years of experience in the sneaker industry, told BI that there's been a recent resurgence in running shoes, especially from Asics. Based on past and current trends, he sees the brand as a good investment.

If you want something unique that still has staying power, collaboration lines like GD x Asics are a good place to start.

"Collaboration is really key in today's day and age," Roberto Ansani, a manager at one of Portone's Endless Supply locations who's been in the sneakerhead community for 12 years, said.

However, if you're all about the classics, he said the brand's Gel-Kayano and Gel 1130 lines are rising in popularity — particularly because they have aesthetic similarities to Balenciaga's sneaker but for a far lower price.

New Balance is back in a big way

New Balance has been around since the early 20th century and is a staple in many sneakerheads' closets.

Although it's probably best known for its "dad shoes," the brand has successfully made a name for itself in the modern sneaker game largely thanks to collaborations, like its JJJJound line.

"We're just seeing the demand go up," Ansani told BI.

He named 9060 and 2002r as some of the most high-demand models in New Balance's arsenal.

Reebok's Club C is a flexible design

Kevin Woods, who founded the curated Chicago vintage shop The Pop Up with his wife in 2019, has been invested in sneakers since his adolescence in the 1980s.

If you're looking for a more affordable (under $100) sneaker that pairs well with items across your wardrobe, he recommends Reebok's Club C design.

"That's a shoe where I don't have to baby it," Woods told BI. "I can wear it and wear it and wear it, and then once they get messed up, I can get another pair of C's."

Saucony is keeping its fans happy

Saucony's runners aesthetic attracts a wide base of shoppers.

"Certain brands have really leaned into comfort and stability — things that shoes are meant to do anyway," Woods said of the classic brand.

The sneakerhead highlighted the Starcow X Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 as particularly valuable. The mustard-color sneaker has a retro vibe with all the modern comforts of a running shoe.

If you're looking for a similar style outside of the collab, try the original ProGrid Omni 9, which has the same silhouette in different colorways.

Supreme Air Force 1s remain in high demand

It's hard to ignore Supreme when discussing trends worth investing in. The streetwear brand has become famous for its exclusive releases, minimalist aesthetic, and frequent collaborations, which attract a wide audience of customers.

Ansani said the Supreme Air Force 1 collab is consistently popular, even when the supply of it is high.

The sleek, black design makes them well-suited for a "going out" sneaker — if you're not looking to keep them in pristine condition for your at-home display.

On the other hand, America's Cup by Prada may have been a passing fad

Ansani told BI that some high-end brands are falling behind when it comes to updating their models.

"Certain designer brands are sticking to their heritage too much," he said. "It's them being stuck in their ways and unable to adapt with the market."

One of the best examples may be America's Cup by Prada. The sneaker was once well-loved, but it no longer holds that same value in today's market — especially with its original price hovering close to $1,000 a pair.

This follows the broader theme in the fashion world of high-end brands losing out to the "quiet luxury" aesthetic. Consumers just aren't looking for shoes that scream their price tags with flashy logos and easy-to-spot designs.

Nike Dunks are too mass-produced

Low-top Nike Dunks brought a new aesthetic to the sneaker world in the 1980s. The brand gave its skateboarding clientele — who had been chopping off the top of the brand's Jordan sneakers — exactly what they wanted.

Although Portone said the shoe had been trendy for a few recent years, Nike responded by mass-producing it in almost every color.

Unfortunately, that high supply with a dwindling demand quickly tanked the sneaker.

• I've been using Rent the Runway for two years and love always having a new outfit to wear.
• To get the most out of my membership, I always read the reviews before selecting rental items.
• I also like to choose pieces that would typically be out of my comfort zone.

As a travel writer, I always want to wear new outfits to post during my trips. However, I hate spending money on clothes I quickly tire of after wearing a few times.

Two years ago, a good friend introduced me to Rent the Runway, a clothing-rental subscription service with several membership options. My $144 monthly membership, which gets me access to 10 pieces of clothing each month, has been a game changer.

Here are seven ways I make my Rent the Runway membership worthwhile.

I like to select pieces that would typically be out of my comfort zone

Renting is a great opportunity to try pieces in styles I wouldn't typically wear. This includes things like vibrant colors, bold prints, or funky hemlines.

For example, I adored a bright floral, flouncy dress that gave me 1950s glam-housewife vibes, and received tons of compliments on a fuzzy blue-and-brown cow-print winter coat.

If I don't love it, I'll wear it once and send it back. But sometimes, I end up discovering a whole new look.

When choosing pieces to rent, I always read the reviews first

Before selecting items to add to my shipment, I always check the reviews first. Helpful user reviews include a rating on a scale from 1 to 5, photos, and information about the reviewer like the size they wore, their usual size, age, height, weight, bust size, and body type.

I only rent items that have a 4-star review or higher, as ratings get pulled down by members for reasons like poor fit or quality.

I also seek out reviews and photos of members with a similar size and body type for a more "apples-to-apples" comparison.

Sometimes, I like to rent certain items for a longer period of time

To get the most bang for my buck, I like renting outerwear because it's versatile and often expensive. For example, one year I rented an edgy black-leather jacket that cost $700 retail.

I loved it so much that I kept it for almost two months and even took it on a trip to Japan. Although it meant I got to select one less piece in subsequent shipments, I got a lot of use out of it.

If you find an item you love, I definitely recommend extending the rental period.

Promo codes make it more affordable to purchase items I love

Sure, this subscription service is about renting, but if I fall in love with something, I can purchase it. When I do this, I always check for promo codes, which can offer up to 40% off.

For example, I kept a cute $238 tropical linen Scotch & Soda romper for $60 and a $275 Louna ombre sweater for $40. Since I already rented them, I knew they fit and looked good on my body.

I take advantage of Rent the Runway's collection of accessories

There have been a few times where, for one reason or another, I just couldn't find that last perfect piece to add to my shipment.

Luckily, Rent the Runway offers accessories, too, including jewelry, sunglasses, and handbags.

I've rented a blue-and-white-striped bucket bag, a minimalist leather crossbody, and a mini drawstring black tote. Bags are a great way to add a little pop of color or designer flair to your wardrobe.

I love using Rent the Runway for special occasions

On a recent trip to Marrakesh, Morocco, the itinerary included a white party and a gala — neither of which I had an outfit for.

I rented a white spaghetti-strap dress with neon-yellow piping and a stunning navy silk gown with high slits on each side.

Whether I need something for a wedding, holiday party, vacation, or cruise, the no-obligation aspect is perfect no matter the occasion.

I always use the chat feature when an item isn't quite right

Although rented items should always arrive in good condition and ready to wear, there have been a few times when pieces arrived looking too worn or wrinkled.

Luckily, whenever I've chatted with Rent the Runway, I've been able to speak with a human rep, not a chatbot.

The company has always made the situation right by offering a free rental item right away or in my next shipment. Getting these extra rentals keeps me from "wasting" pieces that I can't wear, allowing me to get more bang for my buck.

• McDonald's is facing fresh scrutiny over sexual harassment claims in its UK restaurants.
• Hundreds of workers are taking legal action against the chain, a law firm said this week.
• McDonald's says ensuring staff are safe at work is its "most important responsibility."

Hundreds of McDonald's workers in the UK are taking legal action over claims of workplace bullying and harassment.

Law firm Leigh Day said this week that over 700 people who work at or have previously worked at 450 different McDonald's locations across the UK have joined the proceedings.

All the workers were 19 or under when working at McDonald's, Leigh Day says.

News of the legal action comes as the BBC published fresh claims of workplace harassment at the fast-food giant, around 18 months after a major investigation into the working culture at the Golden Arches.

The BBC investigation, published in July 2023, revealed that over 100 workers at a number of the Golden Arches locations had spoken of experiencing sexual assault, harassment, racism, or bullying. Since that investigation, 160 more people have approached the BBC with allegations, it reported on Tuesday.

The BBC's latest report on harassment and abuse at the fast-food behemoth comes over a year after its UK boss pledged to take action to improve working conditions.

Starting in February 2023, after the fast food chain signed an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) promising to protect its staff from sexual harassment, the BBC spoke to staff about the working environment at McDonald's.

Of the over 100 allegations the BBC heard prior to publishing its initial 2023 investigation, 31 involved sexual assault, 78 involved sexual harassment, 18 were related to racism, and 6 were related to homophobia.

Alistair Macrow, the CEO of McDonald's UK and Ireland, told Members of Parliament in November 2023 that the company had received 407 complaints from employees since that July. He said it was taking steps to better protect staff.

Since the BBC's initial investigation in July 2023, 300 reports alleging harassment at the chain have been made to the EHRC.

"Ensuring the 168,000 people that work in McDonald's restaurants are safe is the most important responsibility for both us and our franchisees," McDonald's said in a statement sent to Business Insider.

"We have undertaken extensive work over the last year to ensure we have industry leading practices in place to support this priority. Any incident of misconduct and harassment is unacceptable and subject to rapid and thorough investigation and action."

Macrow, the UK McDonald's boss, said that 29 people have been fired over incidents involving sexual harassment in the past year.

The BBC heard that one woman said her shift manager, who was in his 30s, asked for sex in exchange for extra shifts when she was a 17-year-old employee. Another female staff member, who was 20 at the time, said her male manager sent her topless photos. A 19-year-old employee alleged he was bullied for having a learning disability and an eye condition, per the BBC.

McDonald's rolls back some DEI efforts

News of fresh claims of staff harassment in the UK comes in the same week that McDonald's announced plans to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

McDonald's said in a statement on Monday that it will stop "setting aspirational representation goals," pause participating in external surveys, no longer require its supply chain to commit to its DEI pledge and change the name of its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team.

A growing backlash against DEI strategies has seen companies such as Nissan, Walmart, and Harley-Davidson scale back or cut programs altogether.

Much of the criticism has come from high-profile figures like Elon Musk and conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who have labeled such initiatives as "woke."

• Whatnot closed a fresh $265 million Series E round at a roughly $5 billion valuation.
• CEO Grant LaFontaine plans to use the funds to add new features for sellers and enter new countries.
• Whatnot is betting that live shopping will eventually be commonplace in the US and other markets.

Investors are betting big that live shopping is here to stay.

Livestream app Whatnot announced on Wednesday that it closed a $265 million Series E funding round, bringing its valuation to around $5 billion.

The round was co-led by Greycroft, DST Global, and Avra Capital, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Durable Capital Partners, and Andreessen Horowitz, among others.

Whatnot hosts livestreams across categories including fashion, collectibles like sports cards and sneakers, and niche items like vinyl records and "storage unit finds." It makes money by taking a cut of the sales on its platform, which operates in North America and Europe.

Launched in 2019, Whatnot was an early entrant in the US in the live shopping category. Live selling drives hundreds of billions in annual sales in Asia but has been slower to gain adoption in other markets. The category has recently picked up steam in the US, driven in part by the popularity of TikTok Shop, which helped consumers get accustomed to buying from social media and livestreams.

"As consumers get used to purchasing in that format, as sellers start to build better businesses around it and then unlock really good inventory around it, adoption is just going to continue to increase," Whatnot CEO Grant LaFontaine told Business Insider.

Whatnot said it crossed $3 billion in livestream sales last year, roughly double what it pulled in for 2023.

In 2025, Whatnot also stands to benefit if TikTok, one of its biggest competitors, is banned in the US as mandated by a divestment law.

Whatnot's expansion plans in 2025

Whatnot plans to use its new quarter-of-a-billion dollars in funding for marketing, product, and engineering, as well as to support its expansion into new markets like Australia, LaFontaine said.

On the product side, the company wants to improve its merchant tools, including analytics and inventory management, and introduce new selling formats that could make livestreams more effective, he said. It's also investing in improving customer support. It plans to launch more product categories and double down on goods that performed well last year, such as golf items, as well.

Heading into 2025, LaFontaine said he expects the live-shopping phenomenon to lead to the creation of a new class of e-commerce content creators, a trend TikTok has also been driving.

"Just because you're entertaining on YouTube doesn't mean you have all the skills to be good at Whatnot," he said. "Live and social commerce will tend to create a new wave of its own influencers."

Whatnot said it's raised about $746 million in funding since its 2019 launch.

• The parent company of fast-casual chain Panera Bread has a new CEO.
• The restaurant has undergone a menu overhaul and seen lawsuits over highly caffeinated beverages.
• It's the latest in a series of leadership switches at restaurant chains over the past 12 months.

The parent company of fast-casual chain Panera Bread is getting a new chief executive, the latest in a series of CEO transitions at major restaurant chains.

Panera Brands said Tuesday that current CEO José Alberto Dueñas, who has held the job for the last 1 ½ years, would step down immediately but remain as a "special advisor" to the new CEO until the end of March. Paul Carbone, Panera's CFO, will serve as interim CEO as the company looks for a permanent leader.

"I am immensely proud of leading Panera during this transformative period for the Company," Dueñas said. Panera Brands includes the eponymous chain as well as Caribou Coffee and bagel chain Einstein Bros.

Dueñas joined Panera in mid-2023, with the chain describing his appointment as its "next generation of CEO leadership and Board governance in preparation for its eventual IPO." While the company reportedly filed confidentially to go public in late 2023, it has yet to list.

Dueñas also oversaw the Panera chain's "largest menu transformation ever" in 2024, which included more focus on items like mac and cheese and sandwiches and bigger portion sizes.

The menu changes also eliminated Panera's Charged Sips range of beverages, which contained high levels of caffeine. The drinks were the subject of multiple lawsuits, which alleged that they left some customers with permanent injuries and problems such as body shakes.

The executive change at Panera is the latest of several CEO switches at major restaurant chains over the past year amid a tough consumer spending environment for brands from McDonald's to Nike.

Brian Niccol, formerly the CEO of Mexican grill chain Chipotle, took over the top job at Starbucks in September in an abrupt end to former CEO Laxman Narasimhan's time in the role. Starbucks has reported falling sales in key markets, including the US and China, for much of the past year.

Scott Boatwright, previously Chipotle's COO, took over as interim CEO in August.

Meanwhile, former P.F. Chang's CEO Damola Adamolekun has helmed Red Lobster since September, the same month that the seafood-focused chain emerged from bankruptcy.

Subway CEO John Chidsey retired at the end of 2024, the year after he oversaw the sandwich chain's sale to private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal worth about $9 billion.

Do you work at Panera and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected]

• This year, Dry January coincided with the US Surgeon General's call for cancer warnings on alcohol.
• The CEOs of Heineken USA and Athletic Brewing told BI that drinking trends are moving toward moderation.
• While the space is becoming more popular, widespread availability can pose friction in adoption.

Dry January participants were given extra incentive to stay sober this month as the US Surgeon General said alcohol is a leading cause of preventable cancer and called for a warning label on alcoholic products.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's advisory, announced on January 3, comes as a number of non-alcoholic drinking brands and sobriety-related trends, like sober curiosity or intermittent sobriety, have gained traction in the US.

However, CEOs of companies selling non-alcoholic beverages say the evolving attitudes toward drinking don't mean alcohol is on its way out.

"It's not that there is, like, a big prohibitionist movement or a sober movement, necessarily," Bill Shufelt, the CEO of non-alcoholic beer brand Athletic Brewing said in an interview with Business Insider.

Today, there are more options on store shelves to moderate alcohol intake while providing a similar taste experience. "Even two years ago," Shufelt said that there was "very little availability and awareness." Now the category is on the cusp of a "big societal breakthrough," the CEO said.

The increasing availability of non-alcoholic beer and spirits comes as studies suggest drinking rates have decreased among young Americans. Gallup data published in August also indicates a shift in perception of alcohol. The report said 45% of Americans view alcohol as bad for health, which is a 6% increase from the year before and 17% increase since 2018.

Dozens of celebrities have spoken out about their sobriety in recent years, with some even establishing their own non-alcoholic drink brands, including Katy Perry's De Soi, Blake Lively's Betty Buzz, and Tom Holland's Bero.

Shufelt said the availability of quality alternatives has given consumers the ability to drink non-alcoholic beer without changing their lifestyles.

Leaning into moderation

Both Athletic Brewing's CEO and Heineken USA's chief executive, Maggie Timoney, told BI that as more options are sold in bars and stores, buying behavior is leaning toward moderation over strict sobriety.

Shufelt said 80% of Athletic Brewing customers still drink alcohol, suggesting that most of its customer base isn't traditionally sober.

Heineken's Timoney pointed to NielsenIQ data from 2023 that indicated over 93% of non-alcoholic consumers also purchased alcohol, a 13% jump from the year prior.

The shifting mindset toward drinking can be seen in trends like Dry January, which has evolved for some into the more flexible approach of "Damp January," in which participants cut down on their alcohol intake for the month without fully eliminating it. Some have credited the less drastic approach for helping them moderate their alcohol consumption after the monthlong challenge ends.

Timoney said evolving attitudes toward non-alcoholic beverages stems in part from a desire to participate in occasions where others are drinking.

"It's linked to the health and wellness macro trend," the Heineken executive said, as well as occasions, "because people still want to have a sense of belonging."

Both companies have been making non-alcoholic beer for more than half a decade. Athletic Brewing was launched in 2018. In 2019, Heineken, which has experimented with non-alcoholic beer in the past, launched the non-alcoholic Heineken 0.0 in the US.

Over the last few years, other non-alcoholic drink companies like Free Spirits and Spiritless joined the space. Now, there are a number of non-alcoholic brands making the option to enjoy a mocktail or beer-like drink more widespread.

Athletic Brewing's Shufelt said that the proliferation of non-alcoholic options has expanded "menus and occasions" and has created excitement in the adult beverage industry.

Milan Martin, the CEO of Free Spirits, told BI the rise of participants in Dry January and the decline in some alcoholic drink sales isn't a sign that the alcohol industry "is in trouble" or that it's "going away."

"It's just that people are now just drinking more mindfully and more with an eye to moderation because they have the data," Martin said.

'Bars and restaurants are leaving a lot of money on the table'

While the sale of non-alcoholic beer and spirits has grown in recent years, the segment is still a fraction of overall alcohol sales.

Shufelt said the relative availability of non-alcoholic options is "probably the biggest friction" in people regularly buying the products. He said that Athletic Brewing products are on less than 10% of restaurant menus in the US and as he sees it, "bars and restaurants are leaving a lot of money on the table."

Martin said that for those looking to drink moderately, it can be challenging "if they have to go out of their way to try your product or keep drinking your product."

In an effort to reach more consumers, Heineken plans to expand its 0.0 brand across two major US convenience retailer chains and launch a 12-pack of the non-alcoholic beer bottles for the first time this year.

Timoney told BI that while stigmas around non-alcoholic beer are "easing, they still remain a hurdle."

A Heineken study released on January 2, conducted in collaboration with a professor at the University of Oxford, surveyed 2,413 Americans. The study found that 16% of those in the US said they felt the need to justify their choice of low- or no-alcohol drinks at social gatherings, and 13% said they concealed those choices due to social pressures over the past year.

"Often, the hesitation comes from outdated perceptions— people assume it won't taste like beer," the CEO said. "But the reality is, once they try it, they're amazed."

• Consumer tech spending could hit $537 billion in 2025, the Consumer Technology Association said.
• However proposed tariffs by President-elect Donald Trump could cut into that projected revenue.
• The CTA said tariffs could increase tech prices and lower consumer purchasing power by billions.

Consumer spending on tech could hit a record high of $537 billion this year, according to a new report from the Consumer Technology Association.

But those projected retail revenues might not be met if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on promises of sweeping tariffs.

The CTA's report found the proposed tariffs could lead to tens of billions of losses in revenue, if not more. Trump has said he would institute a blanket tariff of 10 to 20% on all imports and an additional 60% or more tariff on goods from China.

"Such sweeping tariffs could have serious consequences on the market for consumer technology, greatly reducing demand for devices that are heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing," the report said. "Additional tariff costs on tech products could also reduce consumer purchasing power by $90 billion, to $143 billion."

The CTA's current consumer tech spending projection would amount to an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024.

The CTA has previously found that under Trump's tariffs the average price of laptops and tablets could increase by 45% and of smartphones by 25%. Televisions could see a 9% price increase while video games and consoles could cost almost $250 more than their current sale price.

Brian Comiskey, a futurist at the CTA, said at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week that without the tariffs the industry was headed for a "super cycle" as consumers seek to upgrade their tech hardware to access the latest AI offerings, TechCrunch reported.

Many economists have previously said that Trump's proposed tariffs would raise prices for Americans, and at a time when many are still feeling the impacts of inflation.

It's still unclear how the incoming administration plans to implement tariffs. After a report from The Washington Post said Trump aides were discussing ways to roll out less wide-ranging tariffs, the president-elect denied it.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the story "incorrectly states that my tariff policy will be pared back. That is wrong."

• I'm an interior designer who recently visited Williams Sonoma to see if anything caught my eye.
• The store's selection of cutting boards, linen tablecloths, and napkins seemed high-quality.
• Items like a SMEG toaster or copper cookware could instantly elevate a kitchen's aesthetic.

As an interior designer with a keen eye for aesthetics and practicality, walking into a Williams Sonoma store is an exhilarating experience for me.

The brand, which has over 140 locations in the US, is known for its wide array of high-quality kitchenware, home decor, and culinary tools.

Here are a few things I'd absolutely get at Williams Sonoma right now.

Copper cookware looks classy in almost any kitchen.

Nothing exudes class quite like copper cookware.

At my local Williams Sonoma, I found a large selection of copper pots and saucepans, as well as accessories like kettles, roasting pans, and serving plates — perfect for creating a matching set.

I like to hang copper cookware from a pot rack so guests can see the beautiful details on display.

The cookware in the Tucci by GreenPan set comes in a nice variety of eye-catching shades.

As an avid follower of culinary content creators, I often find myself captivated by Stanley Tucci's delightful cooking videos on social media.

So, I was excited to stumble upon his collection with GreenPan, which seems designed to last.

The pots and pans have tight-fitting glass lids and stainless-steel handles designed for comfort and control while cooking. This cookware also comes in various colors to add a fun, vibrant pop to the kitchen counter.

Well-designed kitchen tools can enhance functionality and aesthetics, and, in my opinion, this collection is worth checking out.

I fell in love with the SMEG four-slice toaster.

Who doesn't want a dash of retro charm in their kitchen? SMEG appliances are known for their classic designs, making them functional and stylish additions to any space.

I love the SMEG four-slice toaster because it has a large enough opening to perfectly toast a large piece of sourdough. It also comes in pastel colors that can beautifully complement a kitchen design.

I noticed an impressive selection of cutting boards at my local store.

A high-quality cutting board is an essential cornerstone of any well-equipped kitchen.

The cutting boards available at my store looked like they were designed to endure the rigors of daily use while retaining their timeless appeal.

I recommend curating a collection of various sizes and styles to accommodate different entertaining needs. A diverse selection ensures you're ready for anything, from casual get-togethers to elegant dinner parties that call for beautifully arranged cheese boards.

The selection of liquid soaps would elevate any guest bathroom or kitchen.

There's something charming about having gorgeous scented soaps by the guest-bathroom sink or kitchen counter.

They're not just practical — their lovely packaging and heavenly fragrances add a little extra magic to a space. Plus, they make the sweetest gifts.

I think the KitchenAid stand mixers are must-buys for anyone wanting a functional yet stylish space.

For anyone who loves baking, the KitchenAid stand mixer simply cannot be beat.

This mixer, which comes with a steel bowl and various attachments, can make dough, whipped cream, and other recipes.

Its aesthetic appeal is undeniable and it looks adorable nestled in the corner of a countertop. The mixer also comes in various colors to match any kitchen decor.

I'm a big fan of the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine.

Perfecting your morning routine begins with crafting the ideal cup of coffee. For me, this is where the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine comes into play.

I love how its sleek design marries functionality with refinement. It's an efficient yet attractive countertop appliance that I look forward to using each morning.

High-quality linen tablecloths and napkins can transform an ordinary dining experience into an extraordinary one.

As a designer, I think investing in high-quality linen tablecloths and napkins is nonnegotiable. My mom still uses linen napkins she bought from Williams Sonoma two decades ago.

These linens, which come in neutral tones and classic stripes, exude timeless elegance that can be dressed up for special occasions or kept casual for family dinners.

The Aarke carbonators are my go-to for all things bubbly.

As a soda-water drinker, I've experimented with just about every fizzy-beverage option — cans, machines, you name it. However, when it comes to aesthetics and elegance, my favorite is the Aarke carbonator.

This appliance's sleek yet simple design truly stands out. It also comes with glass bottles that are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to a space.

Grand Antique marble, from the Pyrenees Mountains, is renowned for its naturally occurring stark black-and-white contrast. It's been in demand among the elite as early as antiquity. The Romans quarried it for centuries, and it's featured in St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, as well as Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte's tomb. But mining this marble ground to a halt nearly 70 years ago — until a quarryman rediscovered it. Now, a square meter of Grand Antique costs nearly $2,000.

• Barnes & Noble plans to open around 60 new stores in the US, says CEO James Daunt.
• Daunt said it would be "logical" to consider a future initial public offering in London or New York.
• Barnes & Noble was acquired by Elliott Investment Management for $683 million in 2019.

James Daunt, the CEO of Barnes & Noble and Waterstones, said he would open about 60 new stores in the US.

The British bookseller boss told the Financial Times that he is considering a future initial public offering in London or New York as well as the expansion.

Throughout 2024, 57 Barnes & Noble locations were opened across the US, which currently has approximately 600 stores. In the UK, 12 new stores were added. Speaking about additions in the new year, Daunt said to the FT that he plans to "do that or more in 2025."

Barnes & Noble is the largest book chain in America. After he quit his investment banking job, Daunt launched Daunt Books in London in 1990 — where there are now about 10 stores. In 2011, he was appointed managing director of British bookseller Waterstones to help the struggling business, which faced growing competition from Amazon.

In 2018, Waterstones was sold to Elliott Investment Management by Russian billionaire and publisher Alexander Mamut. Barnes & Noble was acquired by the same New York-headquartered hedge fund the following year for $683 million.

Daunt was named CEO of both book retailers. He also continues to run his independent book chain in London.

The Barnes & Noble and Waterstones boss told the FT it would be "logical" to contemplate an IPO but that any plan would be based on Elliott's strategy for the future. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the FT reported there are no current plans to list the chains. However, it could be a possibility at a later stage.

At present, Daunt hopes to combine the IT and finance platforms at Barnes & Noble and Waterstones into one system.

He noted that it was a "solid Christmas" because as the holiday fell on a Wednesday, last-minute shoppers had the weekend before to purchase gifts.

"The last weekend and [December] 23-24 were exceptional on both sides of the Atlantic," he told the FT. "It has been a good post-Christmas as well."

• Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge offers a sober experience in New York City.
• BI visited Hekate following the US Surgeon General's report linking alcohol to cancer.
• Though alcohol use soared amid the pandemic, there is a blossoming sober-curious movement.

Tucked away in Manhattan's East Village, a sober bar offers an alternative to the rest of the boozy scenes in New York City.

On a Saturday night, Eliott Edge, the bar manager at Hekate Café and Elixir Lounge, welcomed patrons, telling newcomers that: "Everything — with a capital E — is alcohol-free."

Business Insider revisited Hekate after US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said alcohol is a leading cause of cancer and should have warning labels like those on cigarette boxes.

Edge, a career bartender, said he was drunk for five years straight before seeking rehab. Now, after being sober for two years and rebranding himself as a mocktail bartender, he wasn't surprised by the surgeon general's announcement.

"The news is not news, yet at the same time, whenever an authority figure shows up and makes a declaration, it enables people to reconsider their behavior," Edge told BI. "People are now going to think about their choices differently."

Alcohol consumption surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and deaths from excessive alcohol use jumped nearly 30% from 2016 to 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heightened levels of excessive drinking continued into 2022, well after the pandemic first hit, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Even so, Gen Z drinks less than previous generations, fueling a growing interest in sober socializing.

"It does seem that there is a slowing down of alcohol consumption enough for those of us in the industry who make it our job to notice," Edge said. "If there is a silver lining to the pandemic, it is that this whole new world of non-alcoholic options really exploded onto the scene."

Edge predicted that every bar will have to have non-alcoholic options to remain competitive "because they're going to realize that it's like vegetarians or vegans or gluten-free or dairy-free. It's just another type of customer profile to cater to — and the ones that don't cater to that are going to go the way of the dinosaur."

Though Hekate is a totally sober experience, Edge said the bar is a "shining example" of how to do it right.

Drinks at Hekate are about $13 for those paying cash — slightly less than your average cocktail at an NYC bar.

But Edge says people come to bars for fun, and with his bar's music, lighting, and mood, Hekate delivers. The cozy bar, which shares its name with the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft, is decorated accordingly.

"You don't need alcohol," Edge said. "Very little is required to have a good time. Really what we need is permission to have a good time, which is what booze does for us. But how often does that good time end in a shit show?"

Not only is he happier as a sober mocktail bartender, Edge said his customers seem happier too, even if they're only stopping by for a mocktail or two before going out for boozey drinks later on.

"My regulars look fantastic, you know? They don't look like they're slowly sliding down the hill," he said. "I'm not watching fights break out amongst best friends. I'm not watching dates dissolve into, you know, puddles of misery."

Perhaps the best part?

"My bathrooms are much cleaner."

• Tweens, teens, and college-aged kids showed off their Christmas hauls in TikTok videos.
• Casey Lewis, who writes about young consumers, watched about 1,000 haul videos, she told BI.
• Here are the top items that Gen Z kids bragged about getting for Christmas.

It was a very merry Christmas for some Gen Zers who took to social media to show off everything they unwrapped.

Casey Lewis, who writes the youth insights newsletter After School, analyzed Christmas haul TikTok videos from tweens, teens, and college-age consumers and compiled a list that she shared on her own TikTok.

"This is the third year I've done this sort of thing with the Christmas hauls, and I tried to refine my system just so that I'm able to actually crunch the data a little bit more scientifically," Lewis told Business Insider.

She said she watched hundreds of videos at double the speed to tally the standout gift items.

"I think conservatively, at least a thousand [videos]," Lewis said. "I was trying to discreetly binge Christmas haul TikToks while also spending time with my family."

From luxury clothing to throwback tech, these were the top gifts that the younger generation showed off in their Christmas hauls.

Digital cameras

"I think the thing that surprised me the most was how popular digital cameras were," Lewis said, noting that Gen Z has an affinity for Y2K nostalgia. "Everyone got digital cameras. It was also really interesting to see some of them got really expensive Sony ones, but then now Amazon makes those digital cameras that come in cute colors."

A basic Sony digital camera might run at around $750, but Lewis said she saw people showing off cheaper options from Amazon and Urban Outfitters for less than $100.

"They've sort of caught onto this trend, but then you kind of wonder how long is that going to last?" Lewis said.

UGG boots

UGG remained a hot item this year with the Ultra Mini boots and Classic Mini boots, which cost $150 to $160, reigning supreme.

"This year, it was the Minis, and last year, it was the Minis but also the Platforms," Lewis said. "Every year, they're just able to continue to be such a thing."

While she was going through the videos during the holidays at her childhood home, Lewis, who is 37, said she was surrounded by relics from her own childhood, like her own pair of UGG boots.

"Uggs and digital cameras — has anything changed? Am I still just a 16-year-old?" she said.

Rhode skin and beauty products

Lewis also said it was "staggering" how popular Rhode, Hailey Bieber's beauty brand, had become.

"Everyone got the lip peptide treatment," Lewis said. "It's such a popular skincare brand."

Rhode's peptide lip tint retails for $18.

"We know that celebrity brands are so fickle," Lewis said, "but it almost feels like this may have successfully reached the point where it's bigger than her and will thrive independently."

Sol de Janeiro products

Another popular beauty brand was Sol de Janeiro, which makes body and hair care as well as fragrances.

Gen Z kids showed off their "Cheirosa '62" perfume mist, which Lewis said was a big hit this year.

A full-size, 240 ml bottle retails for $38.

Jellycats

Tweens and teens went crazy over Jellycats, small plush toys that retail for $30 to $50.

"Jellycats were mentioned on every wish list, and they were very popular in hauls," Lewis said.

Lewis saw many Jellycats in haul videos but not as many as she expected, prompting her to question whether the kidult purchasing trend is declining.

"Are parents tired of buying their kids, their almost grown kids, stuffed animals? I don't know," Lewis said. "It feels very similar to Beanie Babies where it was a craze, but it wasn't able to sustain because no craze is."

White Fox apparel

Luxury loungewear remained popular this holiday season.

The $50 sweatpants from White Fox, which is headquartered in Australia, were "very popular" in haul videos, Lewis said.

"Athleisure had such a moment coming out of COVID, but young people are still very much prioritizing comfort clothes," Lewis said, noting that brands like Lululemon were also popular. "Teen and college-age girls, so many of them just wear sweat sets."

Roller Rabbit pajamas

Roller Rabbit pajamas were a popular gift pick as well, according to Lewis' analysis.

Available in dozens of different brightly colored patterns as well as in short- and long-sleeve options, the pajamas retail from $138 to $158.

Lewis noted the pajamas convey a sense of status.

Shark hair tools

Whereas last year saw a craze for Dyson hair tools, this year was all about Shark tools.

"I don't think I could have been trusted when I was a teen with an expensive hair tool," Lewis said. "I just don't think I could have taken care of it and not accidentally broken it."

While the classic set of Dyson hair tools retails for $600, the Shark set is comparatively more affordable at $300.

Vanity desk and mirror

While not a name-brand item, many tweens, teens, and college-age girls said in their Christmas haul TikToks that they got a vanity desk or a vanity mirror to put on their desk.

Vanity mirrors often come with lighting that is optimal to use while applying makeup. Depending on the brand, a desk with a vanity mirror might cost about $1,000.

Dae hair styling cream

A styling product from the brand Dae was a popular stocking stuffer, Lewis said.

The styling cream comes with a small wand that's helpful for doing a slick back hairstyle.

A 0.6 oz tube retails for $18.

Adidas Campus shoes

Adidas also continued its reign of popularity.

The Campus 00s, which retail for $110, were the go-to pick, Lewis said.

In previous years, Adidas Gazelles and Sambas were the choice picks.

Alani Nu energy drink

Alani Nu energy drinks were a popular, small-dollar item. Lewis referred to it as the "cool girl energy drink" in her TikTok analysis.

A 12-pack retails for $30.

"What's fascinating about that is it is a very accessible energy drink, but it's also very aesthetic," Lewis told BI. "The energy drink that appeared in so many Christmas hauls this year was nowhere to be found in Christmas hauls last year. So that's a little bit about how quickly some of this stuff changes."

Touchland hand sanitizer

Touchland hand sanitizers were another popular stocking stuffer, Lewis said in her analysis.

"$10 for a tiny hand sanitizer is kind of crazy," she told BI.

But for a 30ml hand sanitizer, it still carries some clout, she said.

"These more affordable, or at least accessible, items that have a little bit of status associated, a little bit of clout," Lewis said. "You don't need to have the Louis Vuitton, or you don't need to even have the Sony camera."

LoveShackFancy Perfume

LoveShackFancy's perfume in the scent "Forever In Love" was a hot gift, Lewis said.

A 2.5 oz bottle retails $125.

Other popular perfume runner-ups were Billie Eilish's "Eilish Eau de Parfum," which retails for $72 for a 3.4 oz bottle, and Glossier's "You," which costs $112 for a 100 ml bottle.

ONE/SIZE setting spray

Wrapping up the list was waterproof setting spray from ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr.

A 3.4 oz can of the mattifying spray retails for $32, adding to the subset of more affordable items that Lewis noted.

"There were not a lot of, I don't know, designer sunglasses. I did see a couple of designer purses," Lewis said. "It's not like there's one emerging or one dominant luxury item that everyone is feeling like they need to have."

• Investors are seeing new value in the strip mall.
• A lack of supply and an uptick in in-person neighborhood shopping has increased their value.
• One commercial real estate investor called the opportunity a "retail renaissance."

Strip malls, of all things, appear to be trending up.

After decades of decline brought on by the rise of large box stores, e-commerce, and the pandemic, the humble and sometimes derided neighborhood shopping center had long been on the outs. Many retailers shifted focus, buying and building large fulfillment warehouses instead of storefronts.

That's led to a perhaps surprising shift, according to The Wall Street Journal: There is now a dearth of supply of convenient neighborhood shopping centers, and that is driving up the value of existing ones.

Large investors like Blackstone have noticed and are now betting on the lowly strip mall. Blackstone spent $4 billion in November to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments, which owns about 90 shopping centers, most of them anchored by grocery stores.

Blackstone President Jon Gray said at the time that he believes the extreme distress the commercial real estate market has faced in recent years is beginning to ease up. He now sees opportunity in the sector.

"If you were an investor in real estate after the financial crisis, you would have made a lot of money. And my guess is, if you're an investor today, the same thing will happen," he said at an event hosted by Goldman Sachs.

Beyond just the value driven by scarcity, an uptick in in-person shopping also bodes well for the shopping center. Foot traffic to grocery stores was 12% higher in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same time in 2019, before the pandemic, the Journal reported. And there are many small businesses that still attract IRL shoppers, like coffee shops and nail salons. Flexible work schedules are also allowing residents to take quick shopping trips nearby.

James Corl, head of New York-based private real estate group Cohen & Steers, wrote in a September blog post that the investment market for open-air shopping centers amounted to a "retail renaissance." Corl's firm bought a fully leased outdoor shopping mall in San Mateo, California for $127 million last month.

"Open-air shopping centers are the only major property type that is experiencing an acceleration in rental rate growth," Corl said in the blog post. "We believe that a durable acceleration in earnings growth combined with relatively high current yields will propel shopping center investment performance for some time, a reality that the market has yet to fully recognize."

• McDonald's is among the most iconic and successful brands worldwide.
• Ray Kroc, a Multimixer salesman, stumbled upon the original McDonald's brothers' burger restaurant in 1954.
• Kroc became McDonald's first franchisee and transformed the restaurant into a global empire.

The McDonald brothers opened their small restaurant in 1940 with a simple menu: burgers, fries, and beverages like their "Triple Thick Milkshakes."

Ray Kroc, a Multimixer salesman, saw the restaurant's potential and became McDonald's first franchise agent.

In 1955, Kroc founded McDonald's System, Inc., which would later become the McDonald's Corporation. He bought out the brothers in 1961 for $2.7 million, the equivalent of about $28.5 million today.

Here's a timeline showing how Ray Kroc built McDonald's from a small burger joint to a global fast-food empire.

1902: Ray Kroc was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on October 5.

Biography reported that Kroc showed early promise as an entrepreneur. As a child, he opened his own lemonade stand and worked at a soda fountain.

He eventually found a job as a salesman and manager at a cup company, which connected him with Earl Prince, the owner of an ice cream shop.

Prince had invented a mixer machine that could make five batches of milkshakes at once. By the 1940s, Kroc had left his job to sell these "multi-mixers" to soda fountains and restaurants across the country.

1940: Dick and Mac McDonald founded the original McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

The original menu was long and included items like barbecue. However, by 1949, the McDonald brothers had reduced the restaurant's offerings to just nine items.

The new menu included hamburgers, cheeseburgers, soft drinks, milk, coffee, potato chips, and a slice of pie.

By having a small menu, the brothers were able to focus on quality and efficiency. Their innovative self-service model eliminated the need for waitstaff, while pre-cooked, paper-wrapped burgers that were kept warm under heat lamps ensured customers got their food quickly and at the quality you could expect from a made-to-order restaurant.

Britannica wrote that the McDonald's brothers also reduced the price of their burgers to just 15 cents, about half the cost of their local competitors' burgers.

1954: While working as a salesman, Kroc came across the small restaurant and saw great promise.

Kroc wrote in his biography that multiple restaurants had been referred to Multimixer by the McDonald's brothers, who he was shocked to learn owned eight Multimixer milkshake machines — most restaurants and soda fountains he worked with only needed one or two.

When he visited the brothers' restaurant, he was amazed by their "Speedee Service" concept and saw promise in the restaurant, which had already become a success among locals who loved the 15-cent hamburgers.

He imagined scores of McDonald's restaurants, all utilizing the Multimixer machines he sold, and took his plans for expansion back to the McDonald's brothers. He offered to be one of the restaurant's first franchisees.

1955: Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Kroc opened his first restaurant on April 15, 1955. The chain reported that first-day sales at the new location were $366.12, the equivalent of about $4,300 today.

The restaurant differed slightly from the first burger joint opened by the McDonald brothers. For one, it had a new look created by architect Stanley Meson, who designed a modern-looking red-and-white exterior. Believing the roof appeared too flat, Dick McDonald introduced the idea of the now-iconic yellow "golden arches."

The oldest operating restaurant still featuring the original red-and-white design is located in Downey, California.

1961: Kroc bought the McDonald brothers out for $2.7 million, kicking off a decade of massive growth for the brand.

Kroc, envisioning a larger future for the newly established McDonald's System, Inc., the precursor to the McDonald's Corporation, secured the exclusive rights to the McDonald's brand name and control over all McDonald's locations.

Kroc implemented strict standards for preparation, portion sizes, cooking techniques, and packaging to guarantee that McDonald's food would be consistent across the chain's many franchises.

He also created a training program for employees that would later be known as Hamburger University.

In 1965, the company's stock was publicly traded for the first time, and the number of restaurants reached 1,000 units. The brand's identity also changed a lot during the '60s, with the introduction of Ronald McDonald as the chain's mascot, the launch of the Filet-O-Fish, and the now-iconic double-arch "M" logo.

1968: The Big Mac was added to menus nationwide.

The iconic burger was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh in 1967.

Fox News reported that Delligatti believed that McDonald's should sell a larger burger to compete with another local fast-food chain, Eat'n Park, which sold a "Big Boy" sandwich.

In 1968, as the company planned to launch the burger nationwide, a 21-year-old secretary came up with its name.

AP reported that multiple executives and other employees thought the "Big Mac" name sounded silly. However, it stuck.

The burger was an immediate hit and remains one of the chain's most popular items.

1977: Kroc stepped down as CEO and took on the role of senior chairman.

Kroc held this role until January 14, 1984, when he died of heart failure at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego.

At the time of Kroc's death, there were 7,500 McDonald's restaurants in nearly 30 countries around the world, and the company was worth $8 billion.

• Shoppers spent cautiously during the holiday season.
• There are some signs that consumers could feel better about spending more in 2025.
• But tariffs and a dip in consumer confidence paint a more ominous picture for the new year.

Shoppers are entering 2025 cautiously after years of escalating prices and amid worries about the impact of potential tariff increases under the incoming Trump administration.

The holiday shopping season showed once again that customers are willing to spend — but only if the price is right. Shoppers could become less price-conscious as the year goes on, however, if inflation doesn't pick up its pace again.

"This holiday season, we saw consumers motivated by deals and retailers respond with promotions to meet the demand," Steve Sadove, a senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO of department store Saks, said as part of the Mastercard SpendingPulse survey.

Released the day after Christmas, the survey showed that US retail sales grew 3.8% between November 1 and December 24.

Optimism among consumers reached its highest point since before the pandemic in the fourth quarter of 2024, McKinsey's ConsumerWise survey found.

The survey also showed that, despite their stated optimism, shoppers were planning to spend the same or less on most products, other than holiday-related categories such as toys, than they did during the third quarter. That indicates an ongoing tough environment for retailers.

"Consumers may have reported feeling more optimistic in the fourth quarter, but that does not mean they intend to spend more as a result," McKinsey said in the survey.

Going into the holidays, Costco members were being "very choiceful about how they're spending the dollars," CFO Gary Millerchip said on an earnings call in December.

But Millerchip also pointed to robust spending on optional items, such as jewelry and sporting goods, as holiday shopping ramped up. "It reflects the fact that our members are willing to spend as inflation comes down," Millerchip said.

If price increases do continue to slow — a tailwind that Goldman Sachs expects will continue in 2025 — consumers could feel better about spending more.

But there are also signs that things could get worse.

Just before Christmas, consumer confidence fell near levels usually associated with an imminent recession as many shoppers worried about their future incomes and the cost of living.

Another round of tariffs on imports into the US from the incoming Trump administration could also raise prices for shoppers if manufacturers, retailers, and others pass the costs to consumers.

So, even though the Mastercard SpendingPulse survey pointed to a fairly happy holidays for shops and shoppers alike, the new year still looks uncertain for both groups after a tricky 2024.

• Major alcohol companies have been bracing for a culture shift favoring nonalcoholic options.
• Younger consumers under the age of 30 buy less alcohol and drink less often.
• Brands like Heineken and AB InBev have rolled out their own alcohol-free offerings, bolstering sales.

Even before the Surgeon General on Friday warned that alcohol can cause cancer and should come with a warning label, big companies like Heineken and AB InBev — the parent of brands like Budweiser and Michelob Ultra — were preparing for a culture shift favoring nonalcoholic options.

Nationwide, spending on most kinds of alcohol has declined in recent years — especially among young adults, Business Insider previously reported.

Younger consumers under the age of 30 have become progressively less likely over the last two decades to drink alcohol at all, with 62% of adults under age 35 saying they drink, down from 72% two decades ago, according to data from Gallup published in 2023.

Big brands have launched non-alcoholic options to cater to a market that, while they don't want a boozy drink, may still want something new to indulge in on a special occasion.

Heineken first released its non-alcoholic beer, Heineken 0.0, in March 2017 in the Netherlands and Germany, expanding its release to the United States in January 2019.

Corona Sunbrew 0.0% debuted in 2022, a product from Constellation Brands — a beverage company that produces beer, wine, and spirits from brands like Modelo and Corona Extra. AB InBev, which produces drinks for 500 global brands including Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, launched Corona Cero the same year. Constellation Brands owns the US brand licenses for Corona beer in the US, while AB InBev owns the beer in the rest of the global market.

And their zero-proof bets are paying off, executives have said in recent earning calls.

Harold van den Broek, Heineken's Chief Financial Officer, said during an October 2024 earnings call that the company is seeing an acceleration in non-alcoholic sales across many markets, including the US, adding that the brand's non-alcoholic options have grown to over 4% of their total portfolio since launching.

"We do believe that this category, which has been growing about 6% on average since 2018, will continue this growth trajectory," van den Broek said. "We have high hopes for the non-alcohol portfolio."

Constellation Brands' president and CEO, William Newlands, shared a similar optimism. During an April 24, 2024 earnings call, he said Corona Non-Alcoholic was "the number one share gainer in the non-alcoholic segment."

"I think that does reflect some change in consumer behavior or people that are concerned about being the designated driver but still want to enjoy an outstanding-tasting beer," Newlands said. "We're going to continue to emphasize the betterment trends as we go forward with a number of our product offerings and certainly expect Corona Non-Alcoholic to continue to grow here in this coming fiscal year as well."

Michel Doukeris, AB InBev's CEO, likewise told investors during an October 21, 2024, earnings call that the company views the non-alcohol beer segment as "a key opportunity to develop new beer consumption occasions" and that development in this market will continue to be a focus of the company's strategy going forward.

"We gained market share of non-alcohol beer in over 60% of our key markets in the third quarter, with Corona Cero more than doubling both volumes and revenues," Doukeris said. "While no-alcohol beer is currently a small portion of our global volume, we believe there is a significant opportunity for incremental growth."

Industry representatives have long warned of a "war on alcohol," a warning which increased in fervor after the late 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report which indicated even low levels of alcohol increase the risk of cancer and that "no safe amount of alcohol consumption for cancers and health can be established."

However, amid the concern that alcohol sales might dwindle, brands have begun to capitalize on shifting consumer behaviors and buoy their overall revenue. Boston Consulting Group values the global market share of no-or-low-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits at more than $13 billion, with sales expected to grow at an annual growth rate of over 7% between 2023 and 2027, settling at about 4% of the overall alcohol market.

Eliott Edge, the bar manager at Hekate, New York City's only sober bar, told Business Insider there is "a whole ecosystem" of new non-alcoholic offerings that customers are clamoring for, having witnessed increasing demand for the alcohol-free options firsthand.

"I get the sober, the sober-curious, and folks who still drink but want to take a break for one reason or another," Edge said. "Locals, tourists — everyone wants to see what it's like. So the non-alcoholic options don't cater specifically to any particular group."

As a result, more and more bars and brands are going to offer non-alcoholic options going forward, Edge predicted, "because they're going to realize that it's like vegetarians or vegans or gluten-free or dairy-free. It's just another type of customer profile to cater to — and the ones that don't cater to that are going to go the way of the dinosaur."