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New data reveals where entrepreneurs have the greatest success and face the biggest challenges when starting a business in 2026.

No cable Christmas movie marathon would be complete without Hershey's Kisses’s “Christmas Bells” commercial.
Kerry Wolfe|
The start of the holiday shopping season looks a little different than it used to.
Ethan Trex|
No more guessing games: These new avocado scanners can spot ripeness—no poking and prodding required.
CaLea Johnson|
Legal eagles like adding “Esquire” to their letterhead. But does it actually carry any meaning?
Jake Rossen|
Gas stations know what they’re doing when they play Bach at the pump.
Jake Rossen|
With limited lodging in rural Japan, Lawson offers a creative solution: rentable parking spaces.
CaLea Johnson|
A growing trend in automation is reshaping how everyday items reach store shelves in Shenzhen, China.
CaLea Johnson|
Looking for a KFC deal? The chain is giving away free chicken buckets with digital orders at participating locations.
CaLea Johnson|
Unlock Starbucks’s secret menu with the app and try one of four new cold drinks.
CaLea Johnson|
Want to know where you’re really saving at Costco? These 15 items deliver the most bang for your buck, from snacks to pantry staples.
CaLea Johnson|
Costco shoppers are making ice cream floats for under $3, and you can too with this clever trick.
CaLea Johnson|
Once a risky proposition, food trucks have become gourmet pit stops that can rival the fanciest eateries.
Jake Rossen|
Remember Chuck E. Cheese? He’s back with arcades aimed at grown-ups featuring classic games, collectibles, and throwback vibes.
CaLea Johnson|
Spot a surplus of pumps in one small area? You're seeing Hotelling's Law in action.
Jake Rossen|
Taco Bell fans are loyal, but not always to the same items. See which menu favorites stand out in each state.
CaLea Johnson|
Ketchup on eggs? Heinz takes a controversial stance with its first major label change in 150 years.
CaLea Johnson|
Air is a free resource—unless you need it for your tires.
Jake Rossen|
If shoppers have one complaint about Costco, it’s that the employees posted at the exits to take a marker to customers’ receipts seem vaguely insulting. Here’s the real reason behind why it happens.
Jake Rossen|
Costco’s answer to Sam’s Club’s “Scan & Go” is finally here, offering faster checkouts and app-based payments for bulk shoppers.
CaLea Johnson|
For some local economies, national parks can be cash machines.
Jake Rossen|

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If May 4, October 3, and June 5 have special meanings to you, you're not alone. From Mean Girls Day and Star Wars Day to Festivus, these holidays are all
Eden Gordon|
Across cultures and centuries, these strange romantic superstitions have inspired everything from elbow-kissing to eating grapes under a table.
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From flower makers to bakers, these historical jobs looked charming—but could kill you.
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Winter weather means you might end up driving behind a snowplow that's clearing the highway, or you're keeping an eye out for the local plow to come down your s
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From rental families to grief phone booths, Japanese people have used surprising strategies to combat loneliness.
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Have a passion for second-hand shopping or have your eye on a specific vintage item? You might want to check out these cities.
Sam Hindman|
These locations offer a slew of different activities for non-drinkers. From London to Prague, add these cities to your bucket list.
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If you’ve been too embarrassed to ask the Gen Alpha kids in your life, here’s a rundown of what “skibidi” means and where it came from.
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