This Changes Things hosts Baker Machado and Hope King break down the biggest stories in business, technology, and retail. Macy's reported stronger than expected earnings, capitalizing on its real estate assets. Plus, why Amazon's Alexa may be in the doghouse for some brands.
Macy's earnings beat analysts' expectations signaling its turnaround may be gaining traction. Same-store sales were up 3% in January and the company sees that momentum continuing through 2018.
Plus, big consumer brands are not very happy with Amazon's Alexa. The growing popularity of voice search assistants is posing a threat to the biggest makers of household items...already dealing with the rise of e-commerce. Unlike in stores and on online, where brands get plenty of exposure, voice search assistants often direct shoppers to a single product...usually selected by an algorithm without any input from the sellers.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has been one of the most recognizable and beloved toy brands in the world since opening in 1997. Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, spoke with Cheddar News about its plans for the holiday season this year as well as the company's first animated feature film.
Stocks were generally flat after the opening bell on Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments in a speech at Spelman College later. Investors are growing optimistic that the central bank is done raising rates and may start cutting next year.
The network of nearly 4,800 fake accounts was attempting to build an audience when it was identified and eliminated by the tech company, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
Someone in China created thousands of fake social media accounts designed to appear to be from Americans and used them to spread polarizing political content in an apparent effort to divide the U.S. ahead of next year's elections, Meta said Thursday.
