Authentic vibes dry up when whiskey brands outsource

Outsourcing can kill a whiskey brand's aura of authenticity, new research finds. Less tangible features of the company matter, too.

Stanford • futurity
Jan. 11, 2023 ~7 min

‘Pet’ slime mold keeps this watch ticking

A "living" smartwatch powered by a slime mold needs food and care to function. Can it make us less fickle consumers of technology?

Cassandra Belek-UChicago • futurity
Jan. 3, 2023 ~7 min


Feeling stressed? Try a little holiday ‘self-gifting’

Feeling overcome with holiday stress is the best time for "self-gifting," researchers say.

Teresa Mackin-Indiana • futurity
Dec. 21, 2022 ~4 min

This sales combo reels in new customers

The enthusiasm of their new salespeople and the experience of their veteran staff are key to attracting new customers, research finds.

Pate McCuien-U. Missouri • futurity
Dec. 16, 2022 ~5 min

94% of ‘natural’ skin products contain an allergen

People with skin allergies shouldn't assume that "natural" skin products will spare them pain and itchiness.

Sascha Zubryd-Stanford • futurity
Dec. 14, 2022 ~5 min

About one-third of the food Americans buy is wasted, hurting the climate and consumers' wallets

Reducing food waste at home is an action that anyone can take to help slow climate change, often saving money in the process. More consumer education could help show people what to do.

Brian E. Roe, Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, The Ohio State University • conversation
Dec. 12, 2022 ~9 min

Smarter ‘transport’ robots could speed up online deliveries

Making robots working in warehouses smarter collaborators with human coworkers could speed up online deliveries, researchers say.

Eric Stann-Missouri • futurity
Dec. 2, 2022 ~5 min

How will holiday shopping be different this year?

Experts have tips for your holiday shopping, including how to save some money, what'll be different this year, and what to get Gen Z.

Megan Schumann-Rutgers • futurity
Nov. 23, 2022 ~8 min


Is the digital dollar the future of money?

With the US considering a digital currency, an expert explains how it could help consumers and businesses and concerns the idea raises.

Heather Stephenson-Tufts • futurity
Nov. 22, 2022 ~14 min

Should stores crack down on ‘serial returners’?

Big retailers could save money by tightening their return policies. But how to do it without lots of customer backlash?

Rachel Cramer-Iowa State • futurity
Nov. 18, 2022 ~8 min

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