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Key Takeaways Engage Customers with Events: Hosting events, such as seasonal promotions and holiday-themed activities, creates memorable experiences that attract foot traffic and foster customer loyalty. Leverage Local Collaborations: Partnering with local businesses for joint events can amplify visibility, enhance community ties, and drive traffic to your store through shared audiences. Support Community Causes: Organizing charity events around local nonprofits can enhance your store’s reputation while demonstrating commitment to community welfare, helping customers connect with your brand on a deeper level. Offer Educational Experiences: Workshops and demonstrations not only showcase your products but also provide valuable learning opportunities, making your store a go-to destination for expertise. Utilize Online Engagement: Implementing social media challenges and virtual shopping experiences helps to enhance accessibility and maintain customer interest, broadening your brand’s reach beyond physical constraints. Create Exclusive Launch Events: Intimate product launch parties with loyal customers and local influencers can generate buzz and excitement, promoting new items while strengthening customer relationships. In today’s competitive retail landscape, creating memorable experiences can set your store apart. Hosting events not only draws in customers but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty. Whether you’re launching a new product or celebrating a seasonal sale, the right event can transform your store into a vibrant hub of activity. You might be wondering where to start. From interactive workshops to themed parties, the possibilities are endless. Engaging events can showcase your brand’s personality while offering customers a unique reason to visit. Let’s explore some creative event ideas that can elevate your retail space and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Creative Event Ideas For Retail Stores Creating engaging events invites customers into your retail space and fosters community connections. You can incorporate various events to enhance your brand’s visibility and strengthen customer loyalty. Seasonal Promotions Seasonal promotions capitalize on specific times of the year, drawing in customers eager to take advantage of special deals. You might host a summer sale with outdoor activities, like a picnic at your store or free refreshments. For autumn, consider a harvest festival that includes local vendors, live music, and seasonal treats. These promotions not only attract foot traffic but also create an enjoyable shopping atmosphere. Holiday-Themed Events Holiday-themed events make your retail store a festive destination. You could organize a winter wonderland experience, featuring holiday decorations, gift-wrapping stations, and hot cocoa. For small businesses, hosting a “Shop Local” night during the holiday season encourages residents to support local shops. Offer exclusive discounts or bundles that showcase your products’ appeal. Engaging your customers with mini-events like meet-and-greets with local artisans further enhances the holiday shopping experience and builds lasting relationships. Community Engagement Strategies Engaging with your community fosters loyalty and boosts your retail business’s visibility. Implementing effective strategies can create lasting connections and enhance customer experiences. Local Collaborations Partner with local businesses to host joint events that attract customers to your retail store. Collaborations can include co-hosted workshops, pop-up markets, or local artist showcases. These partnerships not only cross-promote products but also strengthen community ties. For example, teaming up with a nearby café for a “Shop and Sip” event encourages customers to enjoy a unique shopping experience while supporting multiple local businesses. This strategy leverages shared audiences, maximizing foot traffic and sales for everyone involved. Charity Events Organize charity events to demonstrate your commitment to community welfare while driving traffic to your store. Consider hosting fundraising activities where a percentage of sales goes to local causes. Events like donation drives, awareness campaigns, or themed fundraisers can create positive buzz around your retail business. For instance, a fashion show featuring your products, with proceeds supporting a local nonprofit, can engage customers while contributing to a good cause. This approach not only enhances your store’s reputation but also builds stronger relationships with customers who value community support. In-Store Experiences Creating engaging in-store experiences is essential for attracting customers and building loyalty in your retail business. By hosting events, you can not only highlight your brand’s personality but also forge deeper connections with your community. Workshops and Demonstrations Organizing workshops and demonstrations allows you to showcase your products while providing valuable learning experiences. These hands-on sessions can cover topics relevant to your business, such as product usage, DIY projects, or craft techniques. For instance, if you run a small business selling gardening supplies, you might host a workshop on planting techniques that include step-by-step guidance. By encouraging audience participation, you foster a sense of community and make your store a go-to destination for expertise and support. Exclusive Launch Parties Holding exclusive launch parties for new products or services generates excitement and draws attention to your retail business. Inviting loyal customers and local influencers can create buzz around your offerings. Provide light refreshments, live music, or giveaways to enhance the experience. For example, if you’re launching a new line of apparel, consider a fashion show to highlight the pieces while engaging your guests. These visually appealing events not only promote new items but also strengthen customer relationships, encouraging repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals. Online and Virtual Events Online and virtual events provide small businesses unique opportunities to connect with customers and enhance brand visibility without physical constraints. Social Media Challenges Social media challenges encourage engagement and creativity. You can create a hashtag specific to your retail business and invite customers to share photos or videos of themselves using your products. Offering incentives, like discounts or giveaways for participation, can boost interest. Engaging with users through likes and comments fosters community and keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds. For example, a small clothing store might host a style challenge, asking customers to showcase different outfits using the same item, increasing brand awareness. Virtual Shopping Experiences Virtual shopping experiences enhance convenience and accessibility for customers. You could organize live-stream shopping events, where you present products in real-time and interact with viewers. Hosting exclusive online sales or virtual trunk shows allows customers to shop from anywhere while accessing special discounts. Implementing a personalized shopping session via video chat can further enhance customer service by providing tailored recommendations based on individual needs. For instance, a local home goods store might offer virtual tours of their latest collections, allowing customers to ask questions and receive immediate feedback. Conclusion Embracing innovative event ideas can transform your retail space into a vibrant hub that attracts customers and fosters loyalty. Whether you choose to host interactive workshops or seasonal celebrations your efforts will create memorable experiences that resonate with your audience. By engaging with the community through partnerships and charity events you’ll not only boost foot traffic but also enhance your brand’s reputation. Don’t forget the potential of online events to reach a wider audience and keep your customers connected. The right mix of in-store and virtual experiences can elevate your retail strategy ensuring you stand out in a competitive market. Start planning your next event today and watch your customer relationships flourish. Frequently Asked Questions Why are memorable experiences important in retail? Creating memorable experiences in retail helps businesses stand out in a competitive market. These experiences attract customers, build community, and foster loyalty, leading to repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth referrals. What types of events can retailers host to attract customers? Retailers can host various events, including interactive workshops, themed parties, seasonal promotions, and holiday-themed activities. Each event can showcase the brand’s personality and provide unique reasons for customers to visit. How can community engagement enhance a retail business? Engaging with the community through joint events, charity drives, or partnerships with local businesses can strengthen community ties, boost visibility, and create positive experiences that enhance the store’s reputation and customer loyalty. What role do workshops and demonstrations play in retail? Workshops and demonstrations provide valuable learning experiences while showcasing products. They help engage customers, increase foot traffic, and create lasting relationships by offering hands-on sessions relevant to the business. How can retailers effectively use online events? Retailers can use online events, like social media challenges or live-stream shopping, to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. These initiatives allow businesses to connect with a broader audience and strengthen community ties without physical constraints. Image Via Envato: nateemee, denira21, alinabuphoto, BBTree2012, thananit_s, ijeab, IrynaKhabliuk This article, "Creative Event Ideas for Retail Stores to Boost Customer Engagement and Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Engage Customers with Events: Hosting events, such as seasonal promotions and holiday-themed activities, creates memorable experiences that attract foot traffic and foster customer loyalty. Leverage Local Collaborations: Partnering with local businesses for joint events can amplify visibility, enhance community ties, and drive traffic to your store through shared audiences. Support Community Causes: Organizing charity events around local nonprofits can enhance your store’s reputation while demonstrating commitment to community welfare, helping customers connect with your brand on a deeper level. Offer Educational Experiences: Workshops and demonstrations not only showcase your products but also provide valuable learning opportunities, making your store a go-to destination for expertise. Utilize Online Engagement: Implementing social media challenges and virtual shopping experiences helps to enhance accessibility and maintain customer interest, broadening your brand’s reach beyond physical constraints. Create Exclusive Launch Events: Intimate product launch parties with loyal customers and local influencers can generate buzz and excitement, promoting new items while strengthening customer relationships. In today’s competitive retail landscape, creating memorable experiences can set your store apart. Hosting events not only draws in customers but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty. Whether you’re launching a new product or celebrating a seasonal sale, the right event can transform your store into a vibrant hub of activity. You might be wondering where to start. From interactive workshops to themed parties, the possibilities are endless. Engaging events can showcase your brand’s personality while offering customers a unique reason to visit. Let’s explore some creative event ideas that can elevate your retail space and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Creative Event Ideas For Retail Stores Creating engaging events invites customers into your retail space and fosters community connections. You can incorporate various events to enhance your brand’s visibility and strengthen customer loyalty. Seasonal Promotions Seasonal promotions capitalize on specific times of the year, drawing in customers eager to take advantage of special deals. You might host a summer sale with outdoor activities, like a picnic at your store or free refreshments. For autumn, consider a harvest festival that includes local vendors, live music, and seasonal treats. These promotions not only attract foot traffic but also create an enjoyable shopping atmosphere. Holiday-Themed Events Holiday-themed events make your retail store a festive destination. You could organize a winter wonderland experience, featuring holiday decorations, gift-wrapping stations, and hot cocoa. For small businesses, hosting a “Shop Local” night during the holiday season encourages residents to support local shops. Offer exclusive discounts or bundles that showcase your products’ appeal. Engaging your customers with mini-events like meet-and-greets with local artisans further enhances the holiday shopping experience and builds lasting relationships. Community Engagement Strategies Engaging with your community fosters loyalty and boosts your retail business’s visibility. Implementing effective strategies can create lasting connections and enhance customer experiences. Local Collaborations Partner with local businesses to host joint events that attract customers to your retail store. Collaborations can include co-hosted workshops, pop-up markets, or local artist showcases. These partnerships not only cross-promote products but also strengthen community ties. For example, teaming up with a nearby café for a “Shop and Sip” event encourages customers to enjoy a unique shopping experience while supporting multiple local businesses. This strategy leverages shared audiences, maximizing foot traffic and sales for everyone involved. Charity Events Organize charity events to demonstrate your commitment to community welfare while driving traffic to your store. Consider hosting fundraising activities where a percentage of sales goes to local causes. Events like donation drives, awareness campaigns, or themed fundraisers can create positive buzz around your retail business. For instance, a fashion show featuring your products, with proceeds supporting a local nonprofit, can engage customers while contributing to a good cause. This approach not only enhances your store’s reputation but also builds stronger relationships with customers who value community support. In-Store Experiences Creating engaging in-store experiences is essential for attracting customers and building loyalty in your retail business. By hosting events, you can not only highlight your brand’s personality but also forge deeper connections with your community. Workshops and Demonstrations Organizing workshops and demonstrations allows you to showcase your products while providing valuable learning experiences. These hands-on sessions can cover topics relevant to your business, such as product usage, DIY projects, or craft techniques. For instance, if you run a small business selling gardening supplies, you might host a workshop on planting techniques that include step-by-step guidance. By encouraging audience participation, you foster a sense of community and make your store a go-to destination for expertise and support. Exclusive Launch Parties Holding exclusive launch parties for new products or services generates excitement and draws attention to your retail business. Inviting loyal customers and local influencers can create buzz around your offerings. Provide light refreshments, live music, or giveaways to enhance the experience. For example, if you’re launching a new line of apparel, consider a fashion show to highlight the pieces while engaging your guests. These visually appealing events not only promote new items but also strengthen customer relationships, encouraging repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals. Online and Virtual Events Online and virtual events provide small businesses unique opportunities to connect with customers and enhance brand visibility without physical constraints. Social Media Challenges Social media challenges encourage engagement and creativity. You can create a hashtag specific to your retail business and invite customers to share photos or videos of themselves using your products. Offering incentives, like discounts or giveaways for participation, can boost interest. Engaging with users through likes and comments fosters community and keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds. For example, a small clothing store might host a style challenge, asking customers to showcase different outfits using the same item, increasing brand awareness. Virtual Shopping Experiences Virtual shopping experiences enhance convenience and accessibility for customers. You could organize live-stream shopping events, where you present products in real-time and interact with viewers. Hosting exclusive online sales or virtual trunk shows allows customers to shop from anywhere while accessing special discounts. Implementing a personalized shopping session via video chat can further enhance customer service by providing tailored recommendations based on individual needs. For instance, a local home goods store might offer virtual tours of their latest collections, allowing customers to ask questions and receive immediate feedback. Conclusion Embracing innovative event ideas can transform your retail space into a vibrant hub that attracts customers and fosters loyalty. Whether you choose to host interactive workshops or seasonal celebrations your efforts will create memorable experiences that resonate with your audience. By engaging with the community through partnerships and charity events you’ll not only boost foot traffic but also enhance your brand’s reputation. Don’t forget the potential of online events to reach a wider audience and keep your customers connected. The right mix of in-store and virtual experiences can elevate your retail strategy ensuring you stand out in a competitive market. Start planning your next event today and watch your customer relationships flourish. Frequently Asked Questions Why are memorable experiences important in retail? Creating memorable experiences in retail helps businesses stand out in a competitive market. These experiences attract customers, build community, and foster loyalty, leading to repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth referrals. What types of events can retailers host to attract customers? Retailers can host various events, including interactive workshops, themed parties, seasonal promotions, and holiday-themed activities. Each event can showcase the brand’s personality and provide unique reasons for customers to visit. How can community engagement enhance a retail business? Engaging with the community through joint events, charity drives, or partnerships with local businesses can strengthen community ties, boost visibility, and create positive experiences that enhance the store’s reputation and customer loyalty. What role do workshops and demonstrations play in retail? Workshops and demonstrations provide valuable learning experiences while showcasing products. They help engage customers, increase foot traffic, and create lasting relationships by offering hands-on sessions relevant to the business. How can retailers effectively use online events? Retailers can use online events, like social media challenges or live-stream shopping, to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. These initiatives allow businesses to connect with a broader audience and strengthen community ties without physical constraints. Image Via Envato: nateemee, denira21, alinabuphoto, BBTree2012, thananit_s, ijeab, IrynaKhabliuk This article, "Creative Event Ideas for Retail Stores to Boost Customer Engagement and Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

AI tools are suddenly everywhere, and you've probably tried out using an AI program to generate text and images, or perhaps even audio and video. But AI isn't just coming for media you passively experience: Companies are also using interactive entertainment, including video games. We've seen examples of this over the past year or so. Google's Genie model, for example, aims to generate playable video game environments from user prompts. Earlier this year, Microsoft unveiled a similar AI model, called Muse, and that model's first mainstream experience is now here: The company is offering an experimental version of Quake II, a game originally released in 1997, that is powered by AI. I've now played the AI version of Quake, and it's...bizarre, to say the least. It feels like playing a video game in a dream. Not because it's good, but because it's everything about it feels unstable and ephemeral. Other than the purely for the novelty, I'm really not sure why this thing exists. What it's like to play AI QuakeWhen you first load up the "Copilot Gaming Experience," you agree to a popup warning you the game is rated M and that you are indeed 18 years or older—even though M-rated games are supposed to be 17 and up. Consider this your first warning that something is off. The game loads in a small window in the center of the screen. Immediately, you can tell it's not quite right. Sure, it's recognizably a video game: It's from a first-person perspective, with an animated hand holding a pistol in the bottom-right. You have a health bar, an ammo counter, and a weapon indicator. You can recognize that you are in a room, with clearly-defined (yet blocky) features. However, something about the entire experience just feels wrong, and the effect worsens as soon as you press a button. Credit: Lifehacker There is what feels like a full second delay between you pressing a key on your keyboard and the action taking place on-screen. Lag would be one thing, but that isn't the end of it: When you do move, the environment shifts ever so slightly, like nothing around you is actually stable. For example, there are no enemies when you first start, but they may appears as you move around a room. They don't spawn with any kind of animation or care—you move a frame, and all of a sudden, an enemy is forged. (More on that instability in a moment.) The game plays a bit like SuperHot, in that when you stop moving, nothing happens. Enemies don't attack, and in fact just freeze up entirely. It's only when you take an action that you'll notice things change on the screen: A monster may move, shape-shift (due to the AI, not a Quake gameplay mechanic) or attack, or perhaps the room itself will change entirely. You can look at the floor, spin around in a circle two or three times, then look up, and find yourself in another corner of the map. The game does try to stay consistent. You always start in the same room, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to maintain the integrity of the map as you run between areas—hopefully without being shot at by a newly-generated blurry enemy. But as you move and look around, you can almost feel the ground shifting beneath you, as if the game world could shape into something else at a moments notice. This, really, is what gives it the feeling of being in a dream. Things fall apartSometimes, you run into a room and encounter an enemy, firing away. But if you run past it, then turn around, it'll be gone. You don't even need it to exit your field of vision: By just strafing from left to right to "dodge" its attacks, I watched one enemy "fall apart" onto the floor, as if I was using the moving ground to erase the monster. You don't have the same problem, as it's impossible to die. When you are attacked, your health counter appears to track downwards at a reasonable rate. However, you'll notice the numbers start to bounce around at random. Even if your health hits zero, your character won't collapse, nor will you get a "Game Over" screen. The counter will simply bounce around single digits as you take damage forever, or until you kill the monster (or let the AI decide it's time to disappear the character entirely). Game-breaking bugsThe game can simply break on a moment's notice. On one run, I was about to enter hallway, decided to do a 360-scan of the room before I did, and when I made it all the way around, the hallway had turned into an elevator. When I walked up to the elevator button, I triggered a loading screen that never finished loading. Another time, I looked down, spun around, and looked back up to find myself in another room entirely. As I stepped around, I was suddenly losing health, but there was no attacker in sight—at least, not one I could see. Just as I was about to fire around the room at random, the game paused and never came back to, similar to the event in the elevator. If the game doesn't freeze on its own, the site will time you out, forcing you to start a new game if you want to continue playing. Credit: Lifehacker Should video games be fun?The game is powered by Microsoft's WHAM model, which the company says was trained on human gameplay data to guess what should be displayed frame-by-frame, as well as what the player might control next. In its research paper, Microsoft enthusiastically explains what's so great about an AI model that can generate video game environments. I'm not so sure I agree. For one, this Quake experience isn't fun. There's no objective or challenge, other than to see how long you can go without breaking the experience. You can kill enemies, sure, but they can't kill you. In fact, the AI generation may get to the enemy before they can get to you, if you simply move the wrong way. With time, I'm sure Microsoft will present a more polished version of this experience. Perhaps there will be more consistency as you move around the map; perhaps enemies will actually stand their ground, and be capable of ending your game. But even if we get to the point where AI spits out an entirely playable experience, why would we want that? Who wants to effectively click a randomizer button and play whatever amalgamation of real video games the computer program concocts for us? That's not to say there aren't potential, practical uses for AI in game development—but we should be looking at those as tools to add to a game developer's workflow, and not something that makes that developer obsolete. If this is the current state of AI-generated video games, however, flesh and blood game probably developers aren't going anywhere anytime soon. View the full article

Redbox is getting ready for one final sale. The defunct DVD rental chain’s assets, and those of its corporate siblings Crackle and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, are being auctioned off in New York later this month, according to a court filing published Monday morning. The asset sale is just the latest chapter in Redbox’s tumultuous downfall: Once one of the country’s biggest DVD vendors, the rental chain saw its revenue evaporate overnight during the pandemic, leading to its bankruptcy in June of 2024. Much of this had to do with consumers switching to streaming, but the exact circumstances of Redbox’s demise remain highly contested: Last month, the trustee in charge of the bankruptcy proceedings filed a lawsuit against Chicken Soup for the Soup Entertainment’s former executives and board, alleging that the company and its subsidiaries were “victim of mismanagement and pillaging by insiders on a scale rarely seen with public companies.” For sale: Everything but the kiosks When the assets of Redbox and its corporate siblings go on sale on April 23, potential buyers will be able to bid on Redbox’s and Crackle’s trademarks, patents and other intellectual property. Among other things, the sale also includes various rights associated with hundreds of movies and TV shows produced and distributed by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment subsidiary Screen Media Films. Titles mentioned in Monday’s filing range from Jeepers Creepers to Machine Gun Woman to the 2021 Nicholas Cage flick Willy’s Wonderland. While it’s hard to estimate what the assets will ultimately be selling for, there does appear to be some interest in those film catalogs. The court-appointed trustee noted in a legal filing earlier this year that he had received offers “in excess of $100 million.” Notably exempt from the firesale: Redbox’s once-ubiquitous red rental kiosks. The filing does not explain why the DVD vending machines aren’t being sold at this point, but one reason could be that many of them have already found their way to landfills and Ebay auctions. When Redbox went bankrupt, it still operated about 27,000 kiosks, located in front of grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers. Redbox had stopped paying many of these retail partners contractually owed commission fees long before it went bankrupt, leading to lawsuits from major chains including CVS and 7-Eleven. After the company went under, the kiosks became even more of a nuisance for retailers, with Albertsons complaining in a legal filing that its electricity bill for the machines amounted to $184,000 a month. Eventually, the bankruptcy court granted most retailers the right to dispose of the kiosks themselves. A few machines were saved by enthusiasts, while others apparently have been stripped for parts that are now being sold on Ebay. “Wildly unrealistic projections” The story of Redbox’s downfall has few parallels in modern corporate history: The company surpassed $1 billion in revenue in 2018, and had long planned a transition to streaming. Those plans were thrown into upheaval when the pandemic hit in 2020, with many of its consumers embracing much-larger streaming competitors like Netflix and Disney+ overnight. Redbox’s revenue declined to around $250 million in 2021, and the company was effectively out of money by early 2022. That’s when Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book publisher, swooped in to acquire Redbox for $375 million. The deal included the assumption of $325 million in debt, but Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s leadership forecast at the time that DVD rentals would quickly recover. That didn’t happen. Instead, Redbox’s revenue continued to crater. The company found itself in a cash crunch, unable to buy new DVDs, which further depressed rentals. In early 2024, the company’s cash on hand was so low that it wasn’t able to pay most of its bills, even leaving its service technicians stranded because corporate credit cards meant to pay for gas for company vehicles stopped working for days at a time. Employees would later discover that they had lost their health insurance while still working for the company. This was all too expected, according to the bankruptcy trustee. Redbox’s recovery “never could have reasonably been expected to happen” and were based on “wildly unrealistic business projections and plans,” the trustee claimed in his recently-filed lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleges that Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s corporate leadership used the company as their “personal piggy bank” by relying on unusual fee arrangements: Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and its subsidiaries were obligated to pay 10% of their revenues to the book publisher every month in exchange for management services as well as the right to use the publisher’s trademarks. These fees allegedly ballooned to $18.4 million dollars a year following the Redbox acquisition, despite the fact that Redbox was losing money hand-over-fist. Payments even continued after Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment had stopped paying payroll taxes in late 2023. The trustee now wants executives to pay back those fees; any money recovered through such legal actions as well as this month’s auction is likely going to go to the company’s primary lender HPS, which is reportedly owed $500 million. View the full article

Investors continue to assess tariff risks after heavy sell-off last weekView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Most of us aren’t great at hunting down cheap flights—we just hit refresh until the prices stop hurting our feelings. That’s where Matt's Flights Premium Plan comes in. It’s like outsourcing your flight anxiety to someone who actually enjoys digging for mistake fares and limited-time deals, and from now through April 27, StackSocial is offering a lifetime subscription to this deal-hunting service for $79.99 with the promo code SAVE10—but only for new users. And yes, it's truly lifetime: Pay once, and you get access to every jaw-dropping, typo-priced ticket Matt finds for the rest of your days. If you’re tired of checking Google Flights like it’s your part-time job, this could be a very low-lift upgrade. Here’s what that price gets you: three or more international and domestic flight deals per week, direct access to the Matt's Flights team for 1-on-1 travel planning via email, and unlimited custom search requests. So if you’re dead set on going from JFK to Lisbon next fall, you can just say so, and Matt will start digging. Premium members also get access to five times more deals than the free tier, which means more variety and a better shot at something that fits your dates and budget. The covered departure cities include most major airports in the U.S. and Canada, but even if your local airport isn't on the list, Matt's Flights will still search flights for you—just shoot them an email. There are some caveats: You need to redeem your code within 30 days, the plan only works on one device (though it’s accessible via desktop or mobile), and this is only for new users, so if you’ve used Matt’s Flights before, you’re out of luck. And while this plan works best if you have flexible travel dates, it still has value even if you’re a once-a-year kind of traveler—especially for international trips where one mistake fare could easily save you a few hundred bucks. View the full article

Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke shared an internal memo on X on Monday that stressed the importance of using AI effectively in daily tasks. In fact, he wrote, using AI is now a “fundamental expectation” of Shopify employees. Spotify product designers are now expected to use AI tools to do all platform feature prototypes. The results, Lutke says, are more exploratory and faster to produce and share. Shopify already provides employees with access to various AI coding tools from Github (Copilot), Cursor, and Anthropic (Claude code). “Our task here at Shopify is to make our software unquestionably the best canvas on which to develop the best businesses of the future,” Lutke wrote in the memo, which he said he posted to X because he believed it was about to be leaked anyhow. “We do this by keeping everyone cutting edge and bringing all the best tools to bear . . . for that we need to be absolutely ahead.” Lutke says his company will judge employees in performance reviews on how well they know and use AI tools. Employees are expected to continue to learn about and experiment with new AI tools, and share their findings within the company. Spotify product designers are now expected to use AI tools to do all platform feature prototypes. The results, Lutke says, are more exploratory and faster to produce and share. Shopify already provides employees with access to various AI coding tools from Github (Copilot), Cursor, and Anthropic (Claude code). But the new focus on AI tools such as Anthropic’s Claude and Github’s Copilot may not end at helping clients. Lutke says that before Shopify hires any more humans to work at the company, the hiring managers must explain why an AI tool couldn’t do the job. “[T]eams must demonstrate why they cannot get what they want done using AI,” he wrote. “What would this area look like if autonomous AI agents were already part of the team?” Shopify has been a boon for merchants by providing a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that streamlines the process of establishing and managing online stores. “Our job is to figure out what entrepreneurship looks like in a world where AI is universally available,” Lutke wrote in the memo. “And I intend for us to do the best possible job of that, and to do that I need everyone’s help.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. BJ’s Wholesale Club isn’t just about oversized ketchup bottles and 40-roll toilet paper packs—though you’ll definitely find those too. If you’ve been circling the idea of joining a wholesale club, this StackSocial deal might tip the scale. Right now, a one-year Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal is going for just $20 instead of the usual $60. It’s only for new members, and you’ll get a redemption code to activate the membership directly through BJ's official website. It's great if you’ve got a big family, a stocked-up pantry dream, or just really love grabbing extra savings on groceries, gas, and daily essentials. The value shows up pretty quickly. BJ’s claims up to 25% savings compared to regular grocery stores—and it covers a lot: produce, meat, deli, and cleaning supplies, but also tech, toys, clothes, and even furniture. Their fuel perks might be the real unsung hero, though. Fill up at BJ’s Gas and you can stack extra discounts through the Fuel Saver Program, which rewards you for buying specific items in-store. And, if you hate wandering through aisles, the app handles curbside pickup or same-day delivery in some areas, and you can clip digital coupons that auto-apply at checkout. It’s not flashy, but it is efficient. The only catch: You're auto-enrolled into BJ’s Easy Renewal, which means you’ll be charged full price (whatever that is next year) when your discounted membership ends. You can cancel before that happens, but you’ll need to keep track of the renewal date or set a reminder. Also, this won’t work if you’re already a member or were one recently—it’s strictly for new sign-ups. So if you’ve never had a BJ’s membership and want to test the waters without paying full price, this deal gives you a pretty low-commitment way in. If you don’t think you’ll use it often or hate having to remember to cancel auto-renewals, it’s probably not worth it. But for $20? The savings might cover that in just one or two grocery runs. View the full article

For the second time in more than 20 years, the Mega Millions lottery is getting a facelift. Tickets will now be twice as expensive, but prizes will also be bigger—and the odds of winning the jackpot have gone up (though your chances of taking home the prize are still infinitesimal.) The new version of Mega Millions rolled out to players on tickets this Saturday, and the updated game will see its first drawing tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know about how the game has changed (and what it means for your wallet): How much are tickets? As of this Saturday, ticket prices for the Mega Millions have gone from $2 to $5 apiece. According to a press release, the price hike will lead to “better odds overall, larger starting jackpots, and faster-growing jackpots”—essentially, the more money players pour into tickets, the larger the communal payout pool becomes. Tickets are sold in 45 states (the exclusions being Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah), Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the second time the Mega Millions has adjusted its game matrix since its inception in 2002. In 2017, ticket prices were doubled from $1 to $2, and, per the release, more than 1,200 players have become millionaires since that last change. How does this change my odds of winning a prize? The updated game parameters increase players’ odds of winning any prize from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23. For those who do win, they can expect an increased payout. A new built-in multiplier feature will automatically increase every non-jackpot win by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X its base price. Now, non-jackpot prizes will range from $10 to $10 million, compared to the $2 to $1 million scale in the previous game. “Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in the press release. “Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game.” What will happen to the size of the jackpot? A few important tweaks have been made to the jackpot. To begin with, every starting jackpot will now reset to $50 million instead of the former $20 million. In addition, the Mega Millions Consortium predicts that jackpots will grow faster under the new guidelines, estimating that “the average jackpot win in the new game will be more than $800 million vs. approximately $450 million in the current game.” This set-up might mean more jackpot wins passing the billion dollar threshold going forward, a payout phenomenon that’s happened just seven times since the lottery’s creation. How does this change my odds of winning the jackpot? Your odds of winning the jackpot have just jumped from 1 in 302,575,350 to 1 in 290,472,336. That might seem like a fairly sizable increase, but it’s less impressive when you realize that your chances of getting struck by lightning within the year are 1 in 700,000. In other words, don’t get your hopes up. When is the first drawing under the new structure? Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET, meaning the first drawing under the new game structure is tomorrow night. You can catch the drawing live on TV stations including ABC, CBS, and NBC or on the Mega Millions website, and past recordings are posted to the Mega Millions YouTube channel. View the full article

If you’ve ever battled your way through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at rush hour, you know that comfort can feel like a luxury. Between TSA lines, flight delays, and a race to find a seat with an outlet, air travel isn’t always relaxing. That’s exactly the stress Delta is trying to relieve with the launch of its newest Sky Club in Atlanta Monday—its biggest yet by guest count. Located in Concourse D, the new 24,000-square-foot space is the eighth Delta lounge in ATL and is designed to offer more breathing room, literally and figuratively. With seating for 506 guests, it’s the second-largest Sky Club by square footage in the airport—but the largest when it comes to sheer capacity. “This lounge is not just about space,” Dwight James, S.V.P. of Customer Engagement & Loyalty for Delta Air Lines tells Fast Company. “It’s about experience. It’s about hospitality. We’re always looking for ways to reduce the stress that naturally builds up during travel, especially right after TSA. That’s the moment we think about the most—how do we help someone shift from feeling anxious to feeling cared for?” Hospitality meets hometown pride The lounge includes amenities aimed at all types of travelers: a 16-seat bar, theater-style media wall, soundproof phone booths, and ample workspace. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the airfield. There’s a full buffet and two beverage stations. But beyond the layout and amenities, what makes this club unique is its sense of place. Delta leaned into Atlanta’s dual identity: Southern charm meets city sophistication. “We always try to bring in local flavor,” James explains. “You’ll see that in the art, in the design choices. When people visit our lounges, we want them to feel something familiar, like a quiet respite. Something that reminds them of home—even if they’re far from it.” “We always try to bring in local flavor,” James explains. “You’ll see that in the art, in the design choices. When people visit our lounges, we want them to feel something familiar, like a quiet respite. Something that reminds them of home—even if they’re far from it.” In this case, there’s a custom tile mural of lush greenery behind the buffet—a subtle nod to Atlanta’s nickname, “City in a Forest.” Guests riding the elevator are greeted by a vibrant mural featuring magnolias and dogwoods by local artist Ryan Coleman, and the lounge also features sepia-toned photography from Pam Moxley that manages to make you nostalgic for summer evenings—even if you’re en route to Minneapolis. “We’re not just building lounges as places to sit before a flight,” says James. “We’re building experiences. Our goal is that when someone leaves the lounge, they carry that feeling with them onto the aircraft.” Solving the lounge crowding problem Of course, as any frequent flyer knows, lounges can get crowded. Really crowded. Delta faced backlash (and some angry Reddit threads) when it rolled out changes to its loyalty program for SkyMiles members last year, intended to help with overcrowding. “Change is hard when you’re emotionally connected to a brand,” James admitted. “But it also showed us how passionate people are about Delta. We made some tweaks, and now we’re seeing record engagement.” According to Delta, credit card signups are at an all-time high. Base-tier members—those who haven’t yet earned status—are rating the SkyMiles program higher than before. And for travelers who hit top-tier Diamond Medallion status, new incentives are now built in to keep them engaged past the finish line. “We want to make it feel like, hey, Delta sees me,” James said. “Even after I’ve hit my status, there’s still more value to earn.” The new space in Concourse D is also meant to help with overflow, especially in a city that accounts for nearly a third of Delta lounge visits systemwide. ATL handles nearly 1,000 peak-day departures to over 200 destinations worldwide. “We’ve taken steps to ensure our most premium customers get the experience they deserve,” said James. “But we also want our lounges to feel more welcoming. That’s why we’re continuing to modernize and expand—not just in Atlanta, but across our network.” That roadmap includes upcoming lounge openings in Seattle and Salt Lake City, plus future expansions in Philadelphia and Denver. But in Atlanta, the focus is on more than just expanding the physical footprint. It’s also about making lounges feel like experiences rather than just rooms with snacks and decent Wi-Fi. “We may have a local chef come in and do a live demo, or even set up something like a farmers market-style event,” James said. “People walk in and are like, ‘Wait, is that a chef? In the airport?’ It’s something different, something memorable.” The goal, he added, is to build those moments into Delta’s broader loyalty strategy—not just offering a clean seat and a drink, but creating a kind of brand consistency from the lounge to the gate to the air. “It’s a different kind of energy. It surprises people in a good way,” he says. “These curated experiences tie into how we think about loyalty—because for us, loyalty isn’t just about a program. It’s about giving people reasons to choose Delta again.” The new lounge arms race As a whole, airlines are expected to cut 2025 outlooks when they report earnings starting this week (Delta’s earnings are expected Wednesday). Last month, Delta cut its first-quarter expectation citing weaker-than-expected corporate and leisure bookings—another reason for the airline and others to focus on their high-spending travelers. Delta isn’t the only airline rethinking the lounge experience. United Airlines recently announced it is raising fees for its airport lounge memberships and co-branded credit cards, part of a broader effort to manage crowding and cater to high-spending travelers. The new structure introduces two tiers: $750 annually for individual United Club access, or $1,400 to bring up to two guests—more than double the previous cost for a guest-inclusive pass. “Yes, there are fee increases,” United MileagePlus head Richard Nunn told reporters last month, “but we were very, very cognizant of ensuring that the value increments and the benefits that are delivered outweigh any increase.” Like Delta, United is leaning into perks like rideshare credits, award flight discounts, and lounge upgrades to retain loyalty in a market where travelers are demanding more than just a comfy seat and free snacks. Capital One, a relative newcomer to the airport lounge space, is also making moves. Since opening its first lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 2021, the company has gradually expanded to five locations, including Washington D.C.’s Reagan and Dulles airports, as well as Denver and Las Vegas. By the end of 2025, that number is expected to grow to seven, with new lounges planned for New York’s JFK, and a Capital One Landing at LaGuardia. While still small compared to legacy players like American Express, Capital One’s lounges are carving out a niche by partnering with local businesses—think regional breweries, bakeries, and distilleries—to create a more personalized, locally inspired experience. As Jenn Scheurich, head of Capital One Travel, puts it: “We honestly always want to make sure the local market is represented everywhere we go.” Delta’s investment in this new Sky Club fits into a broader effort to modernize and expand its lounge network. Other clubs in Atlanta—specifically in Concourses A and C—are set for updates. The expansion of Concourse D will also allow Delta to operate more gates and accommodate larger aircraft. And it’s not just Atlanta. Later this year, the airline will open a Delta One Lounge and a new Sky Club in Seattle, with additional projects planned for Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, and Denver. View the full article

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Alarm at market turmoil prompts even allies of the president to speak out View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I’ve heard new parents say things like “I can’t even remember what my life was like before the birth of my child.” Well, I don’t have children, but I’m pretty sure I can relate: I can’t remember my life before my Instant Vortex air fryer. I’ve been using this helpful appliance for three years now, and things have only gotten better since. In my kitchen, anyway. I originally got the Instant Vortex 5.7-quart so I could write more recipes for Thanksgiving food coverage. I didn’t particularly want an air fryer—how much could a small countertop oven possibly help with Thanksgiving, I thought, let alone day-to-day cooking? Why would anyone even use this thing? I judged it endlessly—until I did start using it. Instant Vortex 5.7-Quart 4-in-1 Air Fryer (Black) $119.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $139.99 Save $20.00 Shop Now Shop Now $119.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $139.99 Save $20.00 The basics of using an Instant VortexThe Instant Vortex air fryer is a fairly simple basket model air fryer. It has a sleek pod-shaped design with a handle jutting out front, and a small turning dial on the upper section. You simply plug it in, and the appliance comes alive. The panel lights up with mode options: air fry, bake, reheat, and roast. There are two additional buttons—for setting the temperature and setting the timer—that you control with the rotating dial. There’s a single grate that sits snugly into the basket, and that’s it. It doesn’t have 15 presets, or multiple grates to switch out, and simplicity is one big reason I’ve grown to love it. (Read my full review of the Instant Vortex here.) How the Instant Vortex has changed my cooking over three yearsTo be clear, I still cook with my other appliances. An air fryer is not a replacement for a stove or oven, but the Instant Vortex has decidedly become a critical part of my cooking toolkit. It’s become a gadget I fully rely on for a few specific situations and when cooking certain types of ingredients. Sometimes it works in tandem with other appliances, if I’m orchestrating a large meal, but often I fire up the air fryer because I’m tired and I don’t really want to put effort into my cooking. Roasting all the vegetablesI like my vegetables roasted, sautéed, or steamed, in that order. The air fryer has changed the way I tackle the first of those, and any time I go back to doing it in the oven I regret it. Roasting veggies in the Instant Vortex can take as little as five minutes (when I’m roasting peppers), and it can cut the cooking time for root veggies in half. When I look back on the “before times,” I think of the years I’ve lost roasting potatoes in the oven—and compunding matters, an air fryer baked potato is far superior to any oven-baked spud. A lazy weeknight cooking special Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann As a food writer, it might not surprise you to know I cook a lot during the day. I also wash a lot of dishes because of this (many New York City apartments do not have dishwashers). After the work day is done, I’ve had enough of my kitchen. That's when I bring my Vortex down from its home atop the fridge, plug it in, drop something or other inside, and leave the room. That’s how dinner gets cooked: A marinated pork tenderloin, turkey kielbasa, or frozen steak bites go in. While the meat rests, I can char some air-fried broccoli, quickly roast nearly any vegetable (with this method), or keep it simple and serve a side of sliced pickles. This machine is clutch for lazy weeknight dinners. A take-out fried food revival machineThis weekend I went with my mom to the Asian market where they make this delicious battered and fried fish. I brought some for my brother and his family, but while it was packaged in the plastic container, it got soggy from the humidity. Was I worried? Absolutely not. Whether fried chicken, fried fish, soggy french fries, or an entire fried chicken sandwich, I revive all of my fried food in my Instant vortex in about five minutes. The basket style makes it easy, because you can do the “basket shake”: Grab the handle and jostle everything in the basket halfway through the cooking time for even crisping. Reheating leftover fried food in the oven for 20 minutes is a thing of the past. Easier dinner parties and family eventsI don’t think I could part with my Vortex simply because it makes preparing dinner parties and holiday feasts so much better for me. Truly, it makes cooking large meals easier. I often set it up in a totally different area so it clears up space near the stove, and roasting side dishes or baking desserts in there frees up my oven for larger casseroles or the Thanksgiving turkey. What I wish I knew when I first got my Instant Vortex Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann The basket depth mattersThe Vortex has been my favorite basket model air fryer so far, but I was more familiar with how to use an oven-style air fryer because it mimics the shape of a toaster oven and a conventional oven. The basket on the Instant Vortex is rather deep—just shy of four inches to the grate—which is great for roasting broiler chickens or thick cuts of meat, but if you place a cake pan or something wide down into the basket, you have to navigate carefully to avoid burning your knuckles on the sides of the pan. I recommend using foil strips under wide items so you can lower them down and pull them out. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Things can go wrong in, well, an instantSpeedy cooking, as long as it's cooked well, is never a bad thing. However, if you can’t see how fast your food is cooking then it’s easy to let it go too far. The Instant Vortex has one of the most efficient convection heating systems I’ve used so far, which is great—but it also means food can go from perfect to overcooked in a matter of one minute. I had to learn the hard way that I need to check on my food frequently when cooking with this appliance. I've written about my favorite air fryers before, but if you’re interested in an easy to navigate air fryer with a roomy basket that consistently delivers evenly cooked veggies and meat, the Instant Vortex can be your helper for the long haul. Just remember to check on your food, at least in the beginning, so you don’t burn anything (which is good advice for any new appliance, frankly). View the full article

Federal regulators' plan to rescind reforms to the anti-redlining Community Reinvestment Act implementation rules disappoints community advocates, but gives banks clarity by reverting to longstanding CRA rules. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I’m frequently asked for recommendations on what robot vacuum to get. While I’ve got favorites, I usually respond with a list of features I’d look for. Each year, robots get so much more advanced that these features change. But if I were buying a robot vacuum tomorrow (or in the next big sale), here’s what I’d look for. Unless you’ve got wall-to-wall carpet, get a vacuum/mop comboGenerally, people shy away from combo products because each new functionality is an additional feature that can break. There’s also a belief that one of the features won’t be as good as the other. For a while, expecting the vacuum and mop to be equally great on robot vacuums was unreasonable, but that’s not true anymore. Furthermore, starting in 2024, robots had AI added to their little robot brains that stopped toggling between vacuuming and mopping—instead, it identifies dirt/detritus, and uses whatever tools it has to fix the problem. The mops have become leagues better than they were,too. One favorite in this regard is the Dreame X50. Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,359.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,699.99 Save $340.00 Shop Now Shop Now $1,359.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,699.99 Save $340.00 Robots that only vacuum aren’t even cheaper most of the time. For every vacuum, there’s a vacuum/mop combo in the same price range. Unless you’re only working with carpet in your home, get the robot equipped with the most tools for handling your floors, which means a combo. Get a robot that can reach Eureka J15 Ultra reaching sweep and mop pads Credit: Amanda Blum Robot vacuums are generally 11- to 14-inch pancakes of various shapes that surf your floor. In a big open space, they work well, floating over floor debris and stains and cleaning them. But a few years ago, robots were struggling to get up close to the wall and/or to other objects on the floor. This left a band of debris there, so new robots started coming out with sweeps and mops on arms that can reach out from under the robot and get closer to areas the robot can’t. Over the last two years, the reach has become long and more accurate, so in most cases, modern robots can get up close to walls, but their arms can reach into areas the robot can’t reach. Even the Dyson 360 Vis Nav, which I didn’t particularly like, had a very effective side extension that got up to the wall. Robots like the Roborock Saros 10R and the Eureka J15 Ultra have very effective extending arms. Roborock Saros 10R $1,599.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $1,599.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Eureka J15 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop $999.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $999.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Dyson 360 Vis Nav Vacuum $999.99 at Best Buy Shop Now Shop Now $999.99 at Best Buy SEE 0 MORE The dock matters as much as the robotMuch attention is paid to the robots themselves: their suction power, their mop pads, how low to the ground they are, if they can climb stairs. However, the dock is an equal partner in how well your vacuum works. To keep your robot functioning at peak performance and to keep your life easier, you want to look for specific features. I recommend docks that have removable trays in the base, so you can pull them out entirely to clean, rather than getting on the floor and trying to shove your hand into the back of the dock to try and clean it, as you had to on pre-2024 models. All modern Roborock models have this, as did the Eureka J15. But not all vacuums do. These days I also look for docks with a receptacle for cleaning fluid. This will auto-inject the cleanser into each batch of fresh water, so you don’t have to manually add it. In the best case scenario, this is a container you can refill with cleanser of your choice (like the Eureka J15), instead of a disposable, proprietary cleanser cartridge from the company (as with the Dreame models). Lastly, I cannot stress enough how important it is to check the water capacity of the dock. On both Narwal models, the Freo Z and the Freo X, I had to replace the water after every single run of the robot, making it much less autonomous. The roller design translates to how autonomous your robot will be Split roller design on Saros 10 Credit: Amanda Blum Underneath all robots are the rollers, which are either singular or double, and are what sweeps debris off the floor and into the robot itself, aided by the suction power of the robot. The rollers are also where hair gets caught, debris gets stuck, and paper clogs the robot. The design of these rollers has changed dramatically over the years, but the most effective rollers I’ve seen recently were the Roborock split design, where two rollers did not meet in the middle, giving debris an easier passage into the robot. I saw this design on the Saros 10 and the Saros 10R. While the roller on the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was also great since it featured big fluffy brushes on the roller, the robot sat so low to the ground that a lot of debris could not be accessed by the roller, and was pushed around instead. Rollers with silicone fins—which most older models (and all Roombas) sport—are easily sliced through by human and dog hair, meaning they need to be replaced often. A lifting chassis will make the mop more effective Dreame x50 lifting chassis Credit: Amanda Blum Much emphasis is placed on robots that can “climb,” which will hopefully become robots that can climb stairs. The closest we’ve come so far is the Saros 10 and the Dreame X50, both of which can surmount a threshold of a few inches (the Dreame did a far more competent job of this). More important than climbing, the technology robots use to lift themselves, where the front of the robot chassis is lifted, exerts pressure on the backend of the robot, where the mop is. This has a much needed effect of helping the mop pads dig into the grime on the floor, allowing for more contact and pressure. While most robot mops glide over floors, and can get up surface stains, particularly wet ones, they struggle with grime. But robots like the Saros 10 and Dreame X50 did a better job than other mops because of the pressure put upon the mop pads. View the full article

A recent study by influencer marketing platform Heepsy reveals that YouTube users are more likely than users of any other platform to forget their passwords and request account recovery help. The study, which analyzed password-related search queries across 35 major platforms, found that YouTube leads with the highest volume of password reset activity, both in absolute numbers and per capita. According to the findings, YouTube users request new passwords more than four times a year on average, with a staggering 1.4 billion total password-related searches. This equates to 35,899 searches per 100,000 users, making it the most problematic platform in terms of password memory. Video streaming platforms dominated the top rankings. Facebook followed in second place with 593 million password recovery searches, or 28,238 per 100,000 users. Pinterest ranked third, logging 83.6 million searches among its 417 million active users, or 20,045 searches per 100,000. The data indicates that users of content consumption platforms like YouTube and Pinterest face password-related problems up to 43 times more often than users of communication-focused platforms. Heepsy’s study utilized search behavior data based on three common queries: “[Platform] password reset,” “[Platform] forgot password,” and “[Platform] recover account.” These queries reflect user intent to regain access to their accounts and were adjusted relative to each platform’s active monthly user count. “The platform where people forget their passwords the most is YouTube, leading with the highest number of password-related searches,” the study notes. The fourth and fifth spots were claimed by X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, respectively. X users averaged one password reset per year, with 77 million total queries. Instagram saw just 5,894 password-related searches per 100,000 users, totaling 94.3 million queries—79% fewer than Facebook, despite having a similar user base. Spotify came in sixth, generating 4,236 password recovery searches per 100,000 users. Its users demonstrated a clear pattern, with “forgot password” searches (14.1 million) vastly outpacing “recover account” searches (59,500). LinkedIn, Twitch, Line, and Discord rounded out the top ten. LinkedIn users registered 2,603 password-related searches per 100,000, while Twitch followed closely with 2,288. Line saw just 1,914, and Discord had the lowest search frequency at 1,032 per 100,000 users. Discord’s user base showed the fewest signs of password issues, with just 0.1 password resets per user annually. The platform’s focus on persistent logins across devices and sessions likely contributes to this reduced need for password recovery. In contrast, YouTube’s widespread use across devices may explain its top ranking. “YouTube’s massive base of 3.9 billion monthly active users, along with its cross-device usage patterns, contributes significantly to its top position in password reset frequency,” the report states. Image: Envato This article, "YouTube Tops List of Platforms Where Users Forget Passwords Most Often" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A recent study by influencer marketing platform Heepsy reveals that YouTube users are more likely than users of any other platform to forget their passwords and request account recovery help. The study, which analyzed password-related search queries across 35 major platforms, found that YouTube leads with the highest volume of password reset activity, both in absolute numbers and per capita. According to the findings, YouTube users request new passwords more than four times a year on average, with a staggering 1.4 billion total password-related searches. This equates to 35,899 searches per 100,000 users, making it the most problematic platform in terms of password memory. Video streaming platforms dominated the top rankings. Facebook followed in second place with 593 million password recovery searches, or 28,238 per 100,000 users. Pinterest ranked third, logging 83.6 million searches among its 417 million active users, or 20,045 searches per 100,000. The data indicates that users of content consumption platforms like YouTube and Pinterest face password-related problems up to 43 times more often than users of communication-focused platforms. Heepsy’s study utilized search behavior data based on three common queries: “[Platform] password reset,” “[Platform] forgot password,” and “[Platform] recover account.” These queries reflect user intent to regain access to their accounts and were adjusted relative to each platform’s active monthly user count. “The platform where people forget their passwords the most is YouTube, leading with the highest number of password-related searches,” the study notes. The fourth and fifth spots were claimed by X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, respectively. X users averaged one password reset per year, with 77 million total queries. Instagram saw just 5,894 password-related searches per 100,000 users, totaling 94.3 million queries—79% fewer than Facebook, despite having a similar user base. Spotify came in sixth, generating 4,236 password recovery searches per 100,000 users. Its users demonstrated a clear pattern, with “forgot password” searches (14.1 million) vastly outpacing “recover account” searches (59,500). LinkedIn, Twitch, Line, and Discord rounded out the top ten. LinkedIn users registered 2,603 password-related searches per 100,000, while Twitch followed closely with 2,288. Line saw just 1,914, and Discord had the lowest search frequency at 1,032 per 100,000 users. Discord’s user base showed the fewest signs of password issues, with just 0.1 password resets per user annually. The platform’s focus on persistent logins across devices and sessions likely contributes to this reduced need for password recovery. In contrast, YouTube’s widespread use across devices may explain its top ranking. “YouTube’s massive base of 3.9 billion monthly active users, along with its cross-device usage patterns, contributes significantly to its top position in password reset frequency,” the report states. Image: Envato This article, "YouTube Tops List of Platforms Where Users Forget Passwords Most Often" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Next we must tackle the barrage of non-tariff weapons used to strangle American exportsView the full article

Nations are trying to reach an agreement to charge commercial vessels a fee for their emissions in what would effectively be the world’s first global carbon tax. The International Maritime Organization, which regulates international shipping, set a target for the sector to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by about 2050, and committed to ensuring that fuels with zero or near-zero emissions are used more widely. Its Marine Environment Protection Committee meets Monday through Friday in London. The committee, comprised of IMO member states, is working to approve proposed new global regulations to put a price on maritime greenhouse gas emissions and to set a marine fuel standard to phase in cleaner fuels. The measures are more than climate aspirations – they will become mandatory for ships operating globally, said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who thinks the industry must do more to cut carbon pollution. The committee will “set the course for a net-zero future for the maritime sector,” he told The Associated Press in a statement Thursday. The future of clean shipping hangs in the balance, said Emma Fenton, senior director for climate diplomacy at a U.K.-based climate change nonprofit, Opportunity Green. Fenton said a high price, simple flat-rate levy on shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to decarbonize the industry equitably. “If an agreement is reached, it would represent a huge moment of solidarity in the fight to tackle climate change,” Fenton said. “For the first time, we will have, hopefully, an effective global framework tackling this international issue. Most emissions are tackled domestically.” Here’s what to know: What are the talks about? Emissions from shipping have increased over the last decade — to about 3% of the global total, according to the United Nations — as vessels have gotten much bigger, delivering more cargo per trip and using immense amounts of fuel oil. Maritime nations agreed in 2023 to slash emissions from the shipping industry, though several experts and nations were critical of the deal since it did not set 2050 as a hard date. The IMO is now in the process of adopting regulations to achieve the goals agreed to in 2023. Why are they important to the world? A simple climate levy paired with a green fuel standard would help narrow the price gap between fossil fuels and green fuels, such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, according to the Global Maritime Forum, a nonprofit that works closely with the industry. Shipping relies heavily on fossil fuels and the sector won’t transition off those on its own, said Jesse Fahnestock, who leads the forum’s decarbonization work. And it will take time to build up a supply of e-fuels based on renewable electricity so investments need to happen now, he added. Most ships today run on heavy fuel oil, releasing carbon dioxide and other pollutants as it’s burned. Dominguez has said that major decarbonizing requires an overhaul of shipping fuel. The Clean Shipping Coalition is calling on governments to commit to a high price on all ship emissions and a strong fuel standard. The alliance of environmental non-profits is also urging countries to revise the IMO’s tool for measuring a ship’s carbon intensity, to quantify and raise their efficiency transparently and drive down the amount of fuel burned long-term. What is the status of the negotiations? Led by Pacific island nations, whose very existence is threatened by climate change, more than 60 countries support a flat levy per metric ton of emissions to reach net zero in a fair way. The shipping industry supports a fee, too. The International Chamber of Shipping represents over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet. Its secretary general, Guy Platten, said a pricing mechanism for maritime emissions is a pragmatic solution and the most effective way to incentivize a rapid energy transition in shipping. Some countries, notably China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, want a credit trading model instead of a fixed levy, where ships get credits for staying under their emissions target and ships purchase credits if they go over. Other countries want a compromise between the two models. Some fear that anything short of a universal levy would jeopardize climate goals and allow wealthier ship owners to buy compliance while continuing to pollute. Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Marshall Islands’ special envoy for maritime decarbonization, said IMO’s climate targets are “meaningless” without the levy. Revenue from a levy could be used to help developing countries transition to greener shipping, so they aren’t left behind with dirty fuels and old ships. What’s expected by the end of the meeting? If the committee agrees and finalizes text for the regulations, they could be formally adopted in October and take effect in 2027. That could send a powerful signal that the green transition is happening and that it’s possible for a global industry, according to the IMO. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press View the full article

Over the past decade, we’ve seen Cheetos and its Flamin’ Hot flavor brand pop up in some fun and unexpected places. There was the Spotted Cheetah pop-up NYC restaurant in 2017. The Hollywood pop-up with chef Roy Choi in 2018 called the Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Spot. A taco at Taco Bell. There was a Forever 21 apparel collection in 2019. A nail polish with Dipwell. A Dr. Squatch soap. And, of course, a pair of Crocs. Parent company Frito-Lay has sprinkled Flamin’ Hot across products like Doritos, Ruffles, Lay’s, Funyuns, Smartfood, and even in a limited edition of Mountain Dew. But Jack Black escalated things to previously unpredictable levels on Saturday Night Live this weekend, in a spoof that imagined Flamin’ Hot in an entirely unprecedented product category. Even Chester Cheetah was disgusted with the Preparation H collab. The Cheetos SNL Canon This is a more-than-worthy addition to the Cheetos SNL canon. The brand has been spoofed and referenced several times over the years. In 2019, Woody Harrelson played a man who opened a World’s Biggest Cheeto Museum. And of course, there is 2017’s brilliant “Pitch Meeting” sketch, in which the misguided definition of brand purpose is taken to the extreme. We may be cresting peak brand collab, with so many constantly rolling out that it takes the most wild and wildly creative to even make a ripple. Liquid Death has become a master at navigating this, but for so many brands these efforts come and go with little fanfare. Cheetos may be the perfect brand through which to satirize broader brand culture. It’s beloved in a way that is self-aware and silly. It has utilized brand collabs and limited products cleverly enough that absurd spoofs are just this close to actually being believable. Frito-Lay has not yet responded to a request for comment on whether this was an official brand partnership with the show. But I hope it is. Just as Kraft Heinz is mulling the potential of its unofficial role in Seth Rogen’s show The Studio, Cheetos extending its self-awareness and sense of humor in this way would be an incredibly spicy way to evolve how brands play in entertainment. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Back when I biked everywhere, I would wear my regular sneakers and slip my feet into the toe cages I’d attached to the pedals of my bike. But when I got into the habit of riding a spin bike regularly, I grudgingly switched to "real" cycling shoes—the kind with the cleat on the bottom of the shoe that clicks into a special socket on the pedal. I’ve written before about how I struggled those first few spin classes, trying to get the hang of using the rental shoes. It wasn't until I got a spin bike to use at home that I realized, after a few rides, I really needed those shoes. Why do cyclists use shoes with cleats?Serious cyclists use cycling shoes because of how well they transfer power from your legs to the pedals. This isn’t a big deal when you’re casually biking around town, but if you expect to be able to sprint hard in a spin class or stand up from the saddle, you’ll definitely want your shoes to be up to the job. Wear thin-soled shoes, like Chucks, and you’ll feel the outline of the pedal pressing uncomfortably into your foot. Wear flexible sneakers, like running shoes, and you’ll notice the sole bending during those out-of-saddle climbs. I ended up using hiking shoes before I finally gave in and went shopping for actual cycling shoes. Your shoes and pedals need to be compatibleCycling pedals and shoes are not universally compatible. If you look at the bottom of a pair of cycling shoes, there’s a metal and/or plastic attachment called a cleat. This is what locks on to the pedal. There are a bunch of different cleat systems. Peloton uses a large, triangular cleat called LOOK Delta, while road cyclists often like Shimano’s SPD cleats, and will debate over whether the SM-SH51 or the SM-SH56 is the better one to get. (If you’re riding outdoors and you’re new to cleats, get the 56. It’s easier to unclip.) The pedal/cleat/shoe situation can get complicated if you’re riding a bike outdoors, especially once you start considering whether you’ll also need to walk in the same shoes. This is where spin bike owners can breathe a sigh of relief. You’ll only need to walk from wherever you put your shoes on to the bike, and you don’t have to worry about how quickly you can unclip in an emergency. You just need something to connect your foot to your bike. I chose my first pair of cleats by searching Amazon for pedals in my price range, and ended up with a pair of pedals that have a toe cage on one side and an SPD-compatible attachment on the other. I kept that in my shopping cart while I looked for shoes to match, and found a pair that could take SPD-style cleats. If you already have either the shoes or the pedals, take stock of their requirements and get matching parts. Not sure what to search for? These cleats and pedals are sometimes called “clipless," even though people talk about “clipping in.” That's to distinguish them from toe clips. (You know, the cage things.) Look for "SPD pedals" and "SPD cleats" or "SPD shoes." How to buy a matching set Shoes and pedals are sold separately, but here’s a tip for shopping: The cleats traditionally come with the pedals, even though they attach to the shoes. (You can also buy the cleats on their own.) So the procedure is: Find a pair of pedals with your chosen cleat type (such as SPD) Find a pair of cycling shoes that can take the appropriate type of cleat. This means they need to have screw holes in the right places. Some shoes can take multiple types of cleat; check before you buy. (Sometimes shoes will come with cleats attached, but not always.) Make sure that you'll have a set of cleats for each pair of shoes. Usually the cleats come with pedals, but sometimes the shoes also do, and you can always buy cleats separately if needed. If two people will be sharing the same bike, you'll need two pairs of shoes and thus two pairs of cleats. You only need one set of pedals per bike, of course. How to install your cleats (if you need to)Typically you open up your brand-new box of pedals and find the cleats alongside them in a little baggie. Then you open up your brand-new shoes and try them on to ensure they fit as snugly as possible without hurting you, and then you install the cleats from the pedal package on your new shoes. I found this video helpful when installing my cleats. If yours are a different style, just look up a video about the type you’ve got. Once everything is set up, take a little time to practice clipping in and out, and you’re ready to pedal. One more thing: Read up on your style of cleat and find out what adjustments you can make. There may be a screw on the pedal itself that makes it harder or easier to clip in, and you may be able to tweak the placement of the cleat on the shoe. After a few rides, you’ll have a better sense of what you might want to adjust. What to buy if you want SPD cleatsSPD cleats make the most sense if you ride outdoors. You can even swap out your spin bike pedals for a pair of SPD-compatible pedals so you can use the same shoes with your spin bike and your outdoor bike. Here's what you'll need: Reversible pedals with SPD on one side and toe cages on the other. They come with SPD cleats to attach to your shoes. Or buy a pair of standard SPD pedals (no toe cage option). They also come with cleats. If you need an extra pair of cleats—for example, so you can share the bike with a family member—here’s a pair of SPD SM-SH51 cleats (good for indoor cycling), and they even come with an allen wrench. Now that you’ve got the pedals and cleats, all you need is a shoe. Fortunately, tons of cycling shoes are SPD-compatible. (They’ll have two little screw holes next to each other.) Try these: This Shimano unisex shoe works with SPD or Peloton cleats. The TIEM Slipstream looks like a cute sneaker, but is actually an SPD-compatible cycling shoe. The Giro Rumble is a mountain bike shoe that looks like a cross between a cycling shoe and a low-cut hiking boot. It is also SPD-compatible. Shimano’s “high performance” indoor cycling shoe has a twisty-knob (“BOA”) closure and great reviews. Giro Rumble VR Mens Mountain Cycling Shoes - Ox Blood (2021), 45 $64.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $64.99 at Amazon What to buy if you have a PelotonShoes aimed at Peloton riders often have cleats already installed because they figure you're looking for an easy solution. But if you end up needing to buy the cleats separately, here’s a set of LOOK Delta cleats that you can attach to any compatible cycling shoes, and here’s a set that includes both the LOOK Delta pedals and cleats. And consider your shoe options. You may feel like you should get the official Peloton shoes, but the consensus among die-hard Peloton riders is that they kind of suck. Better to pick a shoe that fits your foot and that has a convenient closure. Here are a few options: Here’s an inexpensive shoe that can take SPD- or Peloton-style cleats (cleats not included). These Betoosen shoes come with LOOK Delta (Peloton-style) cleats already installed. These Tomasso Pista shoes have a BOA closure and come in a variety of colorways, plus the cleats are already installed. These Asphodelus shoes come in artsy styles and, again, have cleats pre-installed. tommaso Veloce II Men's Indoor & Road Cycling Shoe – Compatible with Look Delta, SPD & SPD-SL – No Cleats – EU 47 / US 13 White/Black $69.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Get Deal Get Deal $69.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg View the full article

The director, confirmed less than a month ago, has issued 12 orders via the social media platform that reverse Biden-era initiatives. View the full article

If mortgage rates drop into the low 6% range, there will be a retention opportunity on 5.4 million loans that have interest rates starting at 6.5%. View the full article

Zoom has officially launched Zoom Tasks, a new AI-powered task management product built directly into Zoom Workplace. This release marks a significant addition to Zoom’s AI-first open work platform, enabling users to track, manage, and complete tasks through its AI Companion assistant. Zoom Tasks is now generally available, allowing users to consolidate to-dos from meetings, Zoom Team Chat, emails, and more into a single streamlined interface. According to Zoom, the new tool enables users to manage tasks more efficiently by leveraging agentic AI capabilities that can surface, organize, and prompt task completion. AI-Driven Task Management Built on Zoom AI Companion’s federated AI architecture—which utilizes both proprietary and third-party models—Zoom Tasks introduces autonomous task handling features aimed at reducing time spent on follow-ups. “Zoom Tasks is our AI-first task management solution built right into Zoom Workplace, with AI Companion helping you identify, manage, and complete your to-do list faster,” the company stated. Zoom says the agentic AI system can detect action items from meeting summaries and chat conversations, consolidate them into a single dashboard, and even suggest next steps such as scheduling meetings or drafting messages. Zoom highlighted the productivity gains with this integration, explaining that one-third of leaders spend at least an hour weekly following up with teammates about project status—a loss that can amount to $16,000 per year per manager in productivity. Zoom Tasks aims to close that gap. Centralized and Intuitive User Experience With Zoom Tasks, users can review and accept AI-generated task recommendations, assign action items, and track progress all from within the Zoom interface. “At the end of the day, just go to your Tasks tab to see all the action items that have been assigned to you,” Zoom explained. Users returning from vacations or overwhelmed by information can also ask AI Companion to summarize chat threads and extract tasks from messages. Zoom noted that the assistant can then recommend how to proceed—such as scheduling meetings, creating drafts, or writing messages—based on context. Getting Started with Zoom Tasks Zoom Tasks is included with eligible paid Zoom Workplace plans. To use it, users must update their Zoom Workplace app to version 6.4.3 or higher and enable AI Companion task settings in their account. Once enabled, the Tasks tab becomes accessible from the top navigation bar. Zoom also offers tips for users to fully leverage the platform: Check the “Recommended tasks” section to review suggested actions. Use the AI Companion icon for suggested task completions. Add tasks manually or directly from chats and emails. Edit tasks to include notes or source links for better context. While Zoom Tasks is optimized for use with AI Companion, users without the assistant can still benefit from the task management features, using it as a central hub for all their to-do items. With Zoom Tasks now integrated across its workplace platform, Zoom continues to position itself as a productivity-focused solution provider, embedding AI capabilities to simplify work and empower collaboration across teams. Image: Zoom This article, "Zoom Introduces Zoom Tasks to Streamline Workflows with AI Companion" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Zoom has officially launched Zoom Tasks, a new AI-powered task management product built directly into Zoom Workplace. This release marks a significant addition to Zoom’s AI-first open work platform, enabling users to track, manage, and complete tasks through its AI Companion assistant. Zoom Tasks is now generally available, allowing users to consolidate to-dos from meetings, Zoom Team Chat, emails, and more into a single streamlined interface. According to Zoom, the new tool enables users to manage tasks more efficiently by leveraging agentic AI capabilities that can surface, organize, and prompt task completion. AI-Driven Task Management Built on Zoom AI Companion’s federated AI architecture—which utilizes both proprietary and third-party models—Zoom Tasks introduces autonomous task handling features aimed at reducing time spent on follow-ups. “Zoom Tasks is our AI-first task management solution built right into Zoom Workplace, with AI Companion helping you identify, manage, and complete your to-do list faster,” the company stated. Zoom says the agentic AI system can detect action items from meeting summaries and chat conversations, consolidate them into a single dashboard, and even suggest next steps such as scheduling meetings or drafting messages. Zoom highlighted the productivity gains with this integration, explaining that one-third of leaders spend at least an hour weekly following up with teammates about project status—a loss that can amount to $16,000 per year per manager in productivity. Zoom Tasks aims to close that gap. Centralized and Intuitive User Experience With Zoom Tasks, users can review and accept AI-generated task recommendations, assign action items, and track progress all from within the Zoom interface. “At the end of the day, just go to your Tasks tab to see all the action items that have been assigned to you,” Zoom explained. Users returning from vacations or overwhelmed by information can also ask AI Companion to summarize chat threads and extract tasks from messages. Zoom noted that the assistant can then recommend how to proceed—such as scheduling meetings, creating drafts, or writing messages—based on context. Getting Started with Zoom Tasks Zoom Tasks is included with eligible paid Zoom Workplace plans. To use it, users must update their Zoom Workplace app to version 6.4.3 or higher and enable AI Companion task settings in their account. Once enabled, the Tasks tab becomes accessible from the top navigation bar. Zoom also offers tips for users to fully leverage the platform: Check the “Recommended tasks” section to review suggested actions. Use the AI Companion icon for suggested task completions. Add tasks manually or directly from chats and emails. Edit tasks to include notes or source links for better context. While Zoom Tasks is optimized for use with AI Companion, users without the assistant can still benefit from the task management features, using it as a central hub for all their to-do items. With Zoom Tasks now integrated across its workplace platform, Zoom continues to position itself as a productivity-focused solution provider, embedding AI capabilities to simplify work and empower collaboration across teams. Image: Zoom This article, "Zoom Introduces Zoom Tasks to Streamline Workflows with AI Companion" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article