Obvious Shirts and the business of fandom

How a Chicago Cubs superfan built a multi-million-dollar merch business without spending on ads — and why staying niche might be better than trying to…

Oct 11 • 

Dan Frommer

3

Chase’s $800 Sapphire Reserve: The math is messy, but the strategy is brilliant

Chase and Amex are transforming credit cards into lifestyle subscriptions, designed to redirect your spending. (And for the first time, I’m…

Oct 4 • 

Dan Frommer

8

September 2025

How consumers are using — and thinking about — AI right now

Gen. Z uses AI more than any other generation. They’re also seriously skeptical.

Sep 26 • 

Dan Frommer

8

Erewhon is going to crush it in NYC (eventually)

Sorry, that tiny kiosk inside a Kith club doesn’t really count. Also: Lululemon’s stale sweats, PwC’s sketchy holiday forecast, and more.

Sep 6 • 

Dan Frommer

3

August 2025

People want new stuff all the time

But it has to be good. Also: Why Sweetgreen’s fries are canceled. And notes from Q2 earnings.

Aug 9 • 

Dan Frommer

7

July 2025

Introducing the Consumer Trends 2025 Mid-Year Report

AI is polarizing. Pets are family. Podcasts move culture.

Jul 17 • 

Dan Frommer

10

1

Daydream, AI, and the future of shopping

Also: AG1 at Costco, Parachute pulls back from retail, and why Netflix can’t really compete with YouTube.

Jul 3 • 

Dan Frommer

2

June 2025

How to build a better subscription business

Oats Overnight gets 90% of its DTC customers to subscribe immediately. Founder Brian Tate shares its strategy.

Jun 6 • 

Dan Frommer

3

May 2025

Introducing the Consumer Trends Food Feelings Matrix

We asked thousands of Americans to rate 96 food and drinks, from almond butter to whiskey. Here are the healthiest and funnest.

May 24 • 

Dan Frommer

8

A decade with the Apple Watch

Thoughts, observations, and exclusive new data, after 3,675 days on the wrist.

May 16 • 

Dan Frommer

7

The new face of consumer AI

Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s new ‘CEO of Applications’, has a big opportunity with real problems to solve. Also: What Sweetgreen and DoorDash are saying about…

May 10 • 

Dan Frommer

6

April 2025

Introducing the Consumer Trends Beauty Special 2025

What are today’s beauty shoppers looking for? What do they want from brands? And is the Gen. Z beauty consumer loyal?

Apr 11 • 

Dan Frommer

20

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