Startup Stash - Sauna Party, Boss Bonds, & Nom Nom 🪅

Holidays are all about bonding and relaxing - even if it's with your colleagues and bosses.

You won't believe the hot-slash-frosty new trend that's got people making connections! Ice baths and saunas are no longer just a solo cool-down, they're turning into the ultimate networking tool. 🥶

Othership, a bathhouse in Toronto, has transformed its bath experiences into a chance to schmooze in a booze-free zone (image below). They offer evening socials and guided groups saunas to build contacts and socialise (in your towels, of course). Non-traditional bonding, anyone? 

But that's not all! Remedy Place in New York and Los Angeles is proudly calling itself a "social wellness club." They're offering a whole smorgasbord of wellness options to help you network like a pro. From ice baths and cryotherapy to acupuncture and vitamin infusions, there's no shortage of ways to bond and chill (literally) with your future boss or sales clients.

According to Adobe's latest report, flexible shopping methods like buy now, pay later (BNPL) are particularly driving the shopping hike. Last year, 48% of Gen-Z consumers used BNPL throughout the holiday season, according to a Billtrust survey. BNPL has been increasingly favored as an alternative to credit cards, particularly among younger individuals and those with lower incomes.

Those surveyed also reported buying items on social media, particularly after seeing an influencer or content creator post about it: 41% were between the ages of 18 and 29, and 33% were between 30 and 49.

What’s more? Shopping small is still big. 

Nearly one in four (23%) shoppers rank shopping with small and local businesses the top reason they choose one retailer over another.

The tradition of sharing Halloween candy skyrocketed in the United States after World War II, once sugar rationing had come to an end. Fast forward to today, and Halloween celebrations are a far cry from those days of rationing, especially for candy giants like Walmart, Costco, and Target, who rule the October candy scene with festive flair (graph by Chartr below).

While Walmart may reign supreme overall, it's the jumbo-sized, bulk-buy wonderland of Costco that's experiencing the most magical surge in candy sales in October, as eager candy enthusiasts indulge in sweet delights on an almost industrial-scale of merriment and joy! 🍬🎃🍭

🫳 Friendly Help - Tinder’s unhinged new “Matchmaker” feature allows up to 15 of your close friends and family to help pick your next date.

🍔 Bad Economy, Good For McD - In the US, McDonald’s has been gaining market share among middle- and high-income customers who are cutting their spending by trading fancy meals for fast food. 

🫦 Get Your Sexy On - Victoria’s Secret is launching an intimates apparel line for people with disabilities.