Articles
The Hermès Birkin: At the Forefront of Fashion for 41 Years
French fashion house, Hermès, launched the Birkin in the 1980s and the purse has become one of fashions most sought-after items. In this editorial, Katie Libitz describes the Birkin’s hold on fashion-forward individuals around the world, including a bizarre purchase routine that requires wait times that can last years and thousands of dollars in purchase history – excluding the minimum price of $10,000 USD for the purse alone. This phenomenon can be attributed to Hermès’ use of a unique and quiet marketing strategy that upholds the Birkin’s extraordinary image, even becoming a status symbol itself.
Climate Change and Fine Wine: An Industry That May Not Age Well After All
Grappling with the potentially cataclysmic impacts of climate change on the global wine industry, Mayson Sattler delves into the unstable future of European viticulture. The article hones in on France, Italy, and Spain, nations that have traditionally dominated international wine exports but are now struggling to adapt to increasing temperatures. Will the top 3 employ innovative strategies to maintain their market shares, or will they fall behind, thereby creating an opportunity for competitors to gain prominence?
From Bean-To-Bar: An Overview of Chocolate’s Enduring Success
Despite its simple composition of four main ingredients, chocolate has evolved into a highly diverse product, offering thousands of variations in packaging, branding, and marketing strategies. This editorial by Jeremiah Lim delves into the rich history, innovation, and significance of chocolate, shedding light on its enduring appeal and the strategic intricacies behind its portrayal by different brands. Through an exploration of chocolate's market dynamics and strategies, he is able to provide a deeper understanding of one of the most important and mass-consumed pieces of confectionery in the entire world.
The Five Pillars of Sustainable Innovation
As the Earth's fragility becomes more apparent, our challenges arise with the potential for drastic innovation. Envision a colossal robot, not of steel and smoke, but constructed from the very fibers of nature—a metaphor for a future where technology and sustainability are inextricably linked. This image sets the stage for a profound inquiry: What opportunities await in this juxtaposition of crisis and ingenuity? Join Jacoby Goodson, former Editor in Chief, as he delves into five critical questions, gleaning insights from the pioneers engineering our sustainably tech-driven tomorrow.
Brewing Success: McDonald’s Innovative Venture into Specialty Beverages with CosMc’s
In our latest editorial, QBR Editor Lauren MacDonald delves into McDonald’s bold venture into the specialty beverage market with the launch of CosMc’s. This strategic move, aimed at challenging beverage giants like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, underscores McDonald’s intent to diversify its revenue streams and enhance its brand power. MacDonald examines the implications of CosMc’s introduction, assessing its potential to attract a new demographic and integrate seamlessly into consumers’ daily routines. Through a critical analysis, she explores whether CosMc’s signifies a refreshing innovation in McDonald’s portfolio or if it represents a leap of faith into a fiercely competitive arena. This editorial offers a comprehensive look at CosMc’s journey, from its inception to its market positioning, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for McDonald’s in redefining its legacy within the quick-service restaurant industry.
Justified Balancing or Cash Grab?
In our latest editorial, QBR Editor Gefen Shpil delves into the contentious issue around streaming giants like Netflix cracking down on password sharing, examining the thin line between necessary business growth and perceived corporate greed. Shpil navigates through the complexities of subscriber dynamics, market competition, and consumer loyalty in the face of these new restrictions. This piece offers a critical analysis of password sharing policies and their broader impact on the digital streaming landscape, providing a deeper understanding of the strategic considerations behind these moves and their implications for the future of content access and consumer relationships.
The Rise of Sports Piracy
In our latest editorial, QBR Junior Editor Simon Ing explores the escalating conflict between sports piracy and legal viewership. He examines the industry's shift to online platforms, highlighting the impact on leagues, media companies, and advertisers. Ing poses a crucial question: As piracy becomes more appealing, can the industry adjust to protect its interests while catering to modern viewers' preferences?
The Scary Truth Behind Seasonal Stores
In our latest editorial, QBR Editor Lauren MacDonald takes a deep dive into the shadowy aspects of the Halloween retail industry, spotlighting the seasonal giant, Spirit Halloween. Her analysis exposes the startling truths hidden behind the festive allure of Halloween stores, highlighting the complex relationship between rampant consumerism and pressing environmental issues, exploring the often-overlooked consequences of holiday retail practices.
The Capitalist’s Approach to a Greener World: Carbon Credits
In this editorial, QBR Editor Sunghoon Kim explores carbon credits, uncovering their potential to become a commercially feasible, much-needed catalyst toward economic decarbonization, but also reveals the current system’s complementary flaws and exploits that leave serious room for amelioration.
All-in on Addiction: The Destructive Rise of America’s Gambling Obsession
Exploiting one’s desire for excitement is the underpinning of the gambling business model. Some may call it genius; others may call it predatory. But one thing is for certain — America’s consumerist society has metastasized the country’s gambling scene to a size bigger than ever before.