[Post 434] This $9B Chinese Restaurant Chain Wants to Conquer the U.S. | WSJ The Economics Of

Summary

China's hot-pot giant Haidilao offers more than just food. It has free manicures and massages for customers. Waiters dance on request. The over-the-top performances and customer service set it apart from its competitors. With fresh funds from a public listing, the restaurant company plans to expand across the U.S. 

WSJ examines the Chinese company and explores whether these gimmicks could be enough to sustain America's appetite.

[Post 433] Why Homeowners Are Struggling to Afford Monthly Expenses

Summary

More than 80% of recent homebuyers say they regret their purchase, according to a recent survey from Clever Real Estate. Home prices have been rising faster than incomes, which can be a problem for homeowners because as the value of a home rises, so does the cost to maintain it. Property taxes and insurance premiums have been rising at a rapid rate, influenced by inflation and the increase in catastrophic weather events.

[Post 432] Why Starbucks Is Struggling

Summary

Starbucks reported a global same-store sales decline of 3% and missed revenue expectations by $130 million in its fiscal third-quarter earnings on July 30, 2024. Its share price has tumbled nearly 25% in the past year. That's all due to operating challenges, an increasingly price conscious consumer and boycotts related to the Israel-Hamas war. Still, the coffee giant accounted for more than 25% of the U.S. coffee and snack shop market in 2023.

[Post 431] I Was Laid Off From Meta — Now My Side Hustle Brings In $145K A Year

Summary

Scott Goodfriend, 39, was working his dream job at Meta — until he was laid off just 8 months into the gig in February 2023. Instead of taking another corporate job, he decided to take his food tour side hustle full-time. Now he runs Ultimate Food Tours in New York City, bringing in $145,000 a year.

[Post 430] I Earn $73K In One Of The Most In-Demand Jobs Right Now — I Love What I Do

Summary

As a wind turbine service technician, Jessica Jackson, 37, has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It’s also the fastest-growing job in the U.S.

[Post 429] Market watchers call for more drastic measures to boost listings on SGX

Summary

Making it mandatory for international companies based in Singapore to list on the Singapore Exchange. That's among measures market watchers are calling for, as the Monetary Authority of Singapore looks into how to boost listings on the bourse. SGX had only one initial public offering in the first six months of this year, versus six in 2023. Meanwhile, five Singapore-based companies have listed overseas in the same period. Nadirah Zaidi reports.

[Post 428] Meet the Singaporean running a longan and lychee farm in China's Guangdong

Summary

In 2006, Singaporean Justin Low opened a farm in Huazhou - a county-level city under the administration of Maoming, which is about 500km away from Guangzhou city. Justin, who currently resides in Shenzhen, has help from around 100 workers who harvest the farm's yearly output of around 600,000kg of longans and lychees. 

Around 2,000 Singaporeans live, work and play in southern China's Guangdong province. Maoming is a coastline city facing the South China Sea, with a population of around six million and known for its fruit production. Tan Si Hui reports.