PepsiCo buys prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion

PepsiCo said Monday that it is buying prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion. While soda consumption has broadly fallen over the last two decades in the U.S., prebiotic sodas, fueled by industry newcomers Poppi and Olipop, have won over health-conscious consumers over the last five years. The category’s growth makes it attractive for Pepsi and […]

Goodbye to ‘bags fly free’ on Southwest Airlines, the last freebie in America

Almost nothing is guaranteed in life. Certainly not weather, electricity, health, tariffs or eggs. But for more than 50 years, American consumers could count on Southwest Airlines letting them check bags for free. Dallas-based Southwest is ending the policy in May. Customers are not happy. “It was the only reason I flew Southwest,” said MaKensey Kaye Alford, a 21-year-old singer and actress who […]

Egg prices are falling, with a dozen now less than $5

After surging for much of the year, egg prices have declined sharply over the past week as consumers pulled back on purchases, allowing supplies to resettle at more normal volumes. The result: The average cost of a dozen large white eggs is now $4.90, compared with an all-time high of $8.64 on March 5, the […]

Dollar General CEO warns consumers are cash-strapped and says 2025 won’t be better

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said on Thursday that inflation continues to hurt the discounter’s customers and that the macroeconomic environment won’t improve this year. On the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Vasos said customers are expecting value and convenience “more than ever” from the dollar-store chain. “Our customers continue to report that their financial situation has worsened over […]

Spirit Airlines, fresh from bankruptcy, is ready to take on the new Southwest, CEO says

Spirit Airlines is out of bankruptcy, hitting its target to emerge in the first quarter, after a crippling few years. CEO Ted Christie says the carrier is leaner and ready to take on competitors, including rival Southwest Airlines. Earlier this week, Southwest shocked customers by announcing it will start charging for checked bags for the first time in its half-century […]

Donatella Versace steps down as head of Italian fashion house

Donatella Versace announced Thursday that she is stepping down as chief creative officer of Versace, ending her nearly 30-year-long stint at the Italian luxury fashion empire’s helm. Versace, 69, took on the role to lead the luxury fashion house after her brother and its founder, Gianni Versace, was fatally gunned down outside his Miami Beach mansion […]