From blockchain to Amazon's dominance, look for last year's biggest business stories to carry into 2018. Fast Company's Noah Robischon joins Cheddar to preview the trends to watch for in the new year. He explains why the technology behind the rise of cryptocurrency is poised for even more headlines this year.
Next, we discuss how retail will continue to fight for its life given the Amazon threat. Robischon says "the cool factor" is one area where traditional retail has an edge over the e-commerce giant. The executive editor also explains why pop-up stores and showrooms are gaining in popularity.
Finally, we breakdown Amazon's year ahead. Robischon says Jeff Bezos is likely to be even more aggressive with his company's move into the pharmaceutical space. The executive editor also says whether he agrees with Gene Munster's prediction that Amazon will acquire Target in 2018.
Amazon is discontinuing its decade-old philanthropic program, AmazonSmile, which allowed customers to donate 0.5 percent of the cost of their purchase to select charities.
Volkswagen U.S. CEO Pablo Di Si joined Cheddar New to discuss record quarterly electric vehicle sales and his reaction to Tesla trimming prices on some vehicles by 20% last week. “We'll continue with our pricing strategy, we're not cutting prices on the vehicle's quality over quantity and product content,” he said.