Snacks Daily

SmileDirectClub abandoned its direct-to-consumer ways to launch in Walmart stores, but it’s missing one big thing: Its core product. Taser-inventor Axon acquired a rival last year, but now it’s been accused of running a taser monopoly. And Yum Brands happens to own Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, but now it’s acquiring a burger chain — so why burgers, why now?

Aaaand we’re back. While you were unwrapping gifts, Snapchat treated itself to an augmented reality startup that makes the hilarious filters for Snapchat. OneMedical just filed paperwork to IPO already even though the industry it’s in hates new brands. And Apple’s got a new mantra for 2020: Make HomeKit happen.

In our last pod of 2019 (we’re taking a 2-week break until Monday, January 6th), we’re going digestibly bold: Our 3 bold predictions for 2020. Will Apple buy Tesla? Can Amazon eliminate boxes? And does Chipotle really need tables, or can it just do delivery and pickup? We’ll see you Snackers again in 2020.

Ikea’s always been focused on furniture, now it aims to democratize smart furniture (but it needs help). FedEx plummeted 10% because it’s losing its profit puppy. And International Flavors & Fragrances makes the scents and tastes you’re touching and tasting daily, but shares fell 9% because its latest merger is all about 1 single bet.

Weight Watchers tried to turn itself around the last couple years by adding Oprah to the board, but now she’s headlining a 9-city WW wellness tour. Now that Boeing has officially suspended production of its controversial 737 Max planes, we break down its worst year, by the numbers. Getting Alexa everywhere was Part 1 of Amazon’s voice activation plans — Part 2 is making money off your Alexa use.

H&M has spent 2 years trying to burn fewer clothes (literally), and an 11% sales rebound shows it’s finally working. Intel splurged $2B on a chip company because the last time it tried to build its own, it failed. And Sprout Social IPO’d to help your company’s social media manager relax.

V-commerce — aka “voice commerce” has new momentum after online radio Pandora tests ads that let you talk back. Car prices are starting to mimic airplane ones, forcing you to pay extra if you want anything. And stocks hit record highs last week on word the US and China actually/finally reached an agreement over phase 1 of the trade deal.

If you noticed that Avis shares plunged, that’s because Lyft just whipped up a car rental service. The hero of Disney+ has been Baby Yoda, but toy-maker Hasbro didn’t get the memo and missed out on millions of potential holiday toy sales. Delta’s Investor Day lets us get to know the airline better — and it’s basically a credit car company.

Oil legend Saudi Aramco is the most valuable company in the world and it just IPO’d, but how does it make money? Luggage brandicorn Away went through a week worse than your worst travel trip, so we’re looking at what actually went wrong. And Lululemon reported earnings, but we’re curious about whether it can become the next Nike.

Just in time for your first turns, Vail Resorts’ earnings gave insights on where you should ski — and highlighted the growing showdown on ski passes. Yumi raised $8M for fancy subscription baby food, but we’re focused on who gave them that money. And the NAFTA trade treaty is being replaced by the USMCA now that Congress, the Senate, and the President are all on board.

Yesterday we broke down why Airbnb shouldn’t acquire a competitor — now they just took the first step in acquiring another called Zeus. Amazon lost the $10B JEDI contract with the government, but its fight against the decision reveals what business ethics are all about. And former Fed Chair Paul Volker passed away, so we’re sharing his 2 biggest financial lessons.

Alphabet’s self-driving car company, Waymo, just took a big step towards real robotaxis — an app for the general public. Otis Elevators made skyscrapers possible, and now it’s getting spun-off into its own company. And a fresh profile on HipCamp (the Airbnb for camp sites) has us wondering if it’s simply an Airbnb acquisition target.

Rent the Runway partnered up with W Hotels so you don’t have to pack clothes for vacation. GM and LG are launching a joint venture focused on car batteries, which are the critical (and absurdly expensive) part to any electric car. And Tupperware is trying to go upscale with its plastic by claiming its reusable plastic is more sustainable… even though it’s plastic.

Absurdly expensive coat designer Canada Goose just opened up a store that literally snows inside — “experiential retail” is now “sensational retail.” Nintendo’s Switch console just enjoyed its best week of sales in the US, even though it’s been around for almost 3 years already. And Duolingo became Pittsburgh’s 1st unicorn, hitting a $1.5B valuation as it teaches you French.

Google’s legendary co-founders are stepping down effective immediately, but it’s probably because Google’s had its most controversial year in ever. Our “Unicorn of the Day” is Zume whose robot pizza is already worth $2B, and it sells the most intense food trucks you’ve ever experienced. And Roku stock plummeted and then surged after two analysts gave opposite interpretations of its streaming potential.