Hello Kitty, the famous Japanese character, turns 50 today. She’s earned billions for Sanrio, which created Hello Kitty and other cute characters. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the business.

The bargain retailer has struggled for years in the shadow of its two biggest imitators: Target and Walmart.

It may only be September, but Macy’s is set to hire nearly 32,000 seasonal workers, and Walmart has already announced its earliest deals.

Plus, we’ll look at the how gas prices can affect elections and do the numbers on the new COVID vaccine in this week’s newsletter.

Dollar stores were expanding just a few years ago. Now, they’re closing locations.

Brands are tasked with coaxing more inflation-weary parents into spending.

Business is strong for Samantha Wallace. But she’s dealing with complicated import rules and seeking the right varieties of domestic honey.

As consumers become more thoughtful about spending, many are turning to used goods when they need to shop.

Many consumers are more comfortable buying furnishings in person. Several online-native brands have recently expanded into physical retail.

With sloping, concrete floors and huge, windowless rooms, movie theaters are not the easiest properties to convert.