Author: Editor

Sadly, there’s no secret formula for success — but after speaking with dozens of leaders this year, I have a few ideas about what makes people at the top stand out.In 2025, I interviewed around 80 executives, including more than 30 leaders at Fortune 500 companies, and roughly 20 CEOs or founders. They ranged from the heads of consumer-coveted brands like Whoop and Olipop, to the CEO behind CorePower Yoga, and senior leaders at major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.After speaking with leaders across various industries and company sizes, I can’t say I discovered the blueprint for success.…

Pour one out for your local Champagne seller.It’s been a shaky year for the French sparkling wine. The export market started at a low; it slipped 9.2% year-over-year in 2024. Then came the tariffs.The industry also faces existential threats. Alcohol consumption is down across the US, specifically among young Americans, and while consumer spending remains high, middle-class Americans are starting to feel the pinch in their wallets. Will they still splurge on a nice bottle of Champagne?The Champagne sellers that Business Insider spoke to were feeling wounded but hopeful.The volume of Champagne consumed in the US between the first and…

2025-12-31T10:41:01.210Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Many retailers are extending their typical returns period for items bought during the holiday season. Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more are accepting returns as late as January 31. Here are the major retailers’ policies, and what exceptions and fees to watch out for. With the holiday gifting season in…

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has spent more than a year turning around Starbucks. A Reddit thread made him feel that the effort was worth it.In an interview with The Wall Street Journal released Monday, Niccol talked about his “Back to Starbucks” plan, which involved getting the brand back on track after several quarters of poor sales.As part of his plan, he has tried to make Starbucks cafés warm and inviting third places, and made several changes to that effect. He introduced more seating and dine-in areas, offered free coffee and tea refills, and made baristas handwrite friendly notes on coffee…

2025-12-30T22:01:44.255Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Bill Ackman, Palmer Luckey, Garry Tan, and more are sharing their opinions on a California wealth tax proposal. State labor groups proposed a 5% tax for California residents whose assets exceed $1 billion. Ackman called for a “fairer tax system”; Tan wrote that he would consider opening Y Combinator…

Lululemon’s outspoken founder is used to making headlines with his interviews.Dennis “Chip” Wilson founded the athleisure brand in 1998 and left the company in 2013 after a series of controversial remarks. Since his departure, the 70-year-old billionaire has continued to express his opinions about the brand.With an 8% stake in the company, Wilson’s wealth remains tied to Lululemon’s performance. With shares underperforming compared to its peers over the last two years and a CEO set to leave in 2026, Lululemon is facing some challenges entering the new year.On Monday, Wilson launched a proxy battle by nominating three new board members.”My passion…

At a challenging time for the restaurant industry, major chains like Chipotle and Cava are putting money behind automated makelines from startup Hyphen.The San Jose, California-based company aims to help restaurants achieve two key goals in a hyper-competitive environment: speedy throughput and good customer service. The technology makes for a less chaotic and more “elegant experience” for workers and guests alike, co-founder and CEO Stephen Klein told CNBC in an interview. “We’re probably making a bowl every 10 to 15 seconds. At peak throughput, we have more capacity usually than they do demand, especially … for lunch and dinner rushes,”…

2025-12-30T18:16:32.244Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Toys R Us opened pop-up stores at some US malls this holiday season. The retailer has been the subject of multiple revival efforts since it ended operations in 2018. Here’s a look at the history of Toys R Us, from its founding to zombie-brand status. Toys R Us is…

A Wall Street veteran warned jubilant silver traders to be careful after a searing rally in the precious metal’s price — days before it went into reverse.Writing on X over the weekend, Peter Brandt congratulated those who’ve won big by betting on silver and platinum in recent months, but cautioned the market could quickly turn on them.”Being right is fun,” he wrote. “But know this — moves can far exceed anything expected. And tops come quickly when they come. And retracements are almost always full.”Early on Monday, the market did indeed turn. Silver breached $80 an ounce for the first…

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants said it will stop allowing students to take online exams, beginning in March, in response to a rise in cheating.Processing ContentSince introducing remote testing during the pandemic, cheating scandals have arisen at Big Four Firms EY, KPMG, Deloitte and PwC, as well as other major firms. The ACCA said that online tests have become too difficult to police, especially given students’ access to artificial intelligence tools. Candidates will be required to sit assessments in person, with certain exceptions.”We’re seeing the sophistication of [cheating] systems outpacing what can be put in, [in] terms of safeguards,”…