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.
David Branch of Wells Fargo explains why cocoa prices are falling but some candy costs remain high and when consumers may finally see relief at checkout.
Colonel Chris Hadfield, astronaut and best-selling author, breaks down Artemis II and why NASA’s next crewed mission is key to returning humans to the Moon.
Ben Geman, Energy Reporter at Axios, explains how the Iran war could reshape global energy—disrupting supply, shifting power, and accelerating a new regime.
Emily Peck, National Correspondent at Axios, explains why office vacancies hit 21% despite RTO pushes, highlighting a lasting shift in how Americans work.
Tobias Bauer, CEO & President of Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility North America, shares insights on a $220M investment reshaping U.S. rail infrastructure.
Kory Kantenga from LinkedIn unpacks how the US added nearly 3x the expected jobs in March, and whether it can last as the Iran war reshapes the economy.