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Good morning, Quartz readers! |
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President Trump threatened a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne. The president’s move could make your next bottle of bubbly a lot more expensive. |
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Good inflation news could be masking a hidden slowdown. Bank of America economists warn that stagnant core PCE may keep the Fed from cutting rates this year. |
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Elsewhere, Elon Musk’s distractions contribute to Tesla’s stock drop. Protests and boycotts over Musk’s ties to Trump have played a role in driving down share prices. |
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Starbucks is revamping its stores to become a “third space” for customers once again – but only if they’re buying something. |
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CEO Brian Niccol unveiled plans to enhance the customer experience during the company’s March 12 shareholder meeting, including expanded seating and redesigned expresso bars. |
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The initiative, part of the “Back to Starbucks” strategy, aims to bring the brand back to its glory days, while addressing declining sales. The company has already started piloting some of these changes at select U.S. locations |
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Wine lovers are facing a bit of a rollercoaster. While global wine consumption dropped last year — to 12% below the industry’s 2007 peak — high-end bottles are still in high demand. |
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Younger drinkers are all about quality over quantity, seeking out authentic and memorable wine experiences. But Trump’s proposed tariffs on European wines could make your favorite bottle a lot pricer. |
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Despite these challenges, top-tier wines are thriving in restaurants, where the rich and rare bottles are seeing a surge in sales. |
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