Inside a historic aircraft hangar in Playa Vista, crowds of people gathered on Thursday to browse the latest fashions from handbags to clothing and shoes as they prepared for the holiday shopping season.
These weren’t shoppers or retailer buyers browsing for the latest products. Instead, they were YouTube video creators who were being courted by brands from Lowe’s to Shark Beauty to encourage online audiences to buy their products.
Aaron Ramirez, a 22-year-old influencer who focuses on men’s fashion and lifestyle, stood in front of racks of carefully curated shelves of backpacks as he decided which items he would endorse for his 234,000 YouTube subscribers.
“I can make a video about anything that improves my quality of life and add a link to it,” said Ramirez. “I only recommend products that I really use and really like.”
The San Diego resident was among about 300 creators participating in YouTube’s annual benefit for creators dubbed “Holiday House” that helps internet personalities get ready to sell goods during the busy holiday shopping season.
The event — held at the cavernous converted Google offices that once housed Howard Hughes’ famous Spruce Goose plane — underscores YouTube’s desire to be a bigger player in online shopping by leveraging its relationship with creators to promote products in much the same way that rival TikTok does.
In August, YouTube introduced new tools to help its creators better promote products they plug in their videos. One feature uses AI to identify the optimal place on the screen to put a shopping link when an influencer mentions a product. If a customer clicks on that link and makes a purchase, the creator gets a commission.
Brands that were once skeptical about influencers have embraced them over time as sales-tracking tools have improved and the fan base of video creators has mushroomed.
“It’s like the people that you saw on television and before that the people that you listened to on radio who became the trusted personalities in your life,” Earnest Pettie, a trends insight lead at YouTube, said in an interview. “Oprah’s Favorite Things was a phenomenon because of how trusted Oprah was, so it really is that same phenomenon, just diffused across the creator ecosystem.”
Despite economic uncertainty and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, shoppers in the U.S. are expected to spend $253.4 billion online this holiday season, up 5.3% from a year ago, according to data firm Adobe Analytics.
Social media platforms have helped drive some of that growth. The market share of online revenue in purchases guided by social media affiliates and partners, including influencers, is expected to grow 14%, according to Adobe Analytics.
Cost-conscious consumers are doing more research on how they spend their money, including watching influencer recommendations. In fact, nearly 60% of 14- to 24-year-olds who go online say their personal style have been influenced by content they’ve seen on the internet, according to YouTube.
“It’s more about discovery, understanding where the best deals are, where the best options are,” said Vivek Pandya, director at Adobe Digital Insights. “Many of these users are getting that guidance from their influencers.”
YouTube is one of the top streaming platforms, harnessing 13.1% of viewing time in August on U.S. TV sets, more than rivals Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, according to Nielsen. And shopping-related videos are especially popular among its viewers, with more than 35 billion hours watched each year, according to YouTube.
With YouTube’s shopping feature, viewers can see products, add them to a cart and make purchases directly from the video they’re watching.
Promoting and enabling one-click e-commerce from video has been huge in China, triggering a wave across Asia and the world of livestreaming and recorded shopping videos. Live commerce, also known as live shopping or livestreaming e-commerce, is a potent mix of streaming, chatting and shopping.
The temptation to shop is turbocharged with algorithms like that of TikTok Shop, enticing people to try more channels and products.
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1.YouTube content creators Diana Extein, left, and Candice Waltrip, right, film clothing try-ons during YouTube’s Holiday House shopping event at Google Spruce Goose on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 in Playa Vista, CA.2.YouTube content creator Peja Anne, 15, makes a video with beauty products as her mom Kristin Roeder films during YouTube’s Holiday House shopping event at Google Spruce Goose on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 in Playa Vista, CA.
A YouTube content creator who declined to give her name browses YouTube’s Holiday House shopping event at Google Spruce Goose on Thursday in Playa Vista, Calif.
YouTube content creator Cheraye Lewis’ channel focuses on lifestyle and fragrance, and a brand deal with Fenty Beauty helped launch her content to larger audiences.
More than 500,000 video creators as of July have signed up to be a part of YouTube Shopping, the company said.
Creators who promote products can make money through ads and brand deals, as well as commissions.
YouTube already shares advertising and subscription revenue with its creators and currently does not take a cut from its shopping tools, said Travis Katz, YouTube Shopping vice president.
“For us, it’s really about connecting the dots,” Katz said. “At YouTube we are first and foremost very focused on, how do we make sure that our creators are successful? This gives a new way for creators to monetize.”
Companies like Austin-based BK Beauty, which was founded by YouTube creator Lisa J, said YouTubers have helped drive sales for their products.
“They’ve built these long-term audiences,” said Sophia Monetti, BK Beauty’s senior manager of social commerce and influencer marketing. “A lot of these creators have established channels. They’ve been around for a decade and have just a really engaged community.”
To be sure, YouTube faces a formidable rival in TikTok, which is a leader in the live shopping space (its parent company, Byte Dance, is being sold to an American investor group so that the hugely popular app can keep operating in the U.S.).
Two years ago, the social video company launched TikTok Shop, working with creators and brands on live shopping shows that encourage viewers to buy products. TikTok had 8 million hours of live shopping sessions in 2024.
YouTube says its size and technology create advantages, along with the loyalty its creators build with fans when it comes to product recommendations.
Bridget Dolan, a director of YouTube Shopping Partnerships, said “shopping has been in YouTube’s DNA from Day One” and that the company has been integrating shopping features into its viewing experience.
YouTube content creators peruse products and film content during YouTube’s Holiday House shopping event at Google Spruce Goose on Thursday in Playa Vista, Calif.
Santa Clarita-based YouTube creator Cheraye Lewis said that YouTube Shopping helped her gain traction and earn a trusting audience through quality recommendations. Lewis, who has 109,000 subscribers on YouTube, makes videos about items such as fragrances and skincare products.
Lewis has been a video creator for eight years and has worked with such companies as Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty.
“I try to inspire women and men to feel bold and confident through the fragrances that they’re wearing,” Lewis said at the event Thursday. “I give my audience real talk, real authenticity.”
Graham Norton has finally revealed the Hollywood star he deemed to be his worst guest while hosting his BBC chat show as he describes the interview as ‘hell’
Graham Norton has revealed the worst guest he’s ever had on his show(Image: PA)
It is one of the main questions asked of TV chat show hosts and now, Graham Norton has finally revealed who has been his worst guest on The Graham Norton Show. He has welcomed huge A-listers onto his red sofa for over 18 years but not all of them have been a joy to be around.
Step forward Hollywood royalty Mark Wahlberg. The legendary actor was invited on to the BBC show back in 2013 to promote his movie Broken City. And Graham believes that the star was under the influence, making the interview “hell.”
Presenter Graham, 62, was speaking at the Henley Literary Festival last week Friday when the claim was made. In a revealing admission, he shared: “Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didn’t seem drunk.”
He added: “He told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold – and it was hell.”
Things became so bad, Mark interrupted other guests when they were asked questions, until Mark reportedly fell asleep while actor Michael Fassbender, was in the middle of recalling an anecdote.
According to The Independent, Graham continued: “I thought, ‘this one is going well – I wonder why’ and I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep, so yeah, we don’t encourage that.”
Earlier this month, the future of his TV show was announced and it looks as though fans of the show can breathe a sigh of relief as it has been commissioned for another three series. The 34th series is set to air next year.
Speaking of the return of his hugely popular show, the legendary presenter said of the news: “Getting to host my own chat show is a huge pleasure as well as a privilege. I’m thrilled that the BBC are allowing me to continue for another three years. The whole team is looking forward to bringing the world’s brightest stars into the homes of the great British public!”
And Head of Entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight said: “We are thrilled that The Graham Norton Show will remain a flagship part of the BBC’s entertainment offering for another three series. Graham sets the gold standard for celebrity interviews and continues to attract the best global talent to his sofa, it’s no wonder that the show remains so beloved by our audiences.”
Graham will continue to work with So Television production company as well as the BBC. Managing Director of So Television Graham Stuart, went on to say: “We began the Norton Talk Show journey in 1998 and have never felt like stopping. So happy the BBC feel the same way.”
But it’s not just his work life that appears to be busy, so too is his home life as the TV star is currently in the middle of moving home after selling both his London and New York properties. Informing his podcast fans of the move, he said that the whole situation has left him “frazzled.”
Addressing the move on his Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane, he said: “I’m very frazzled. We are attempting to move. We are very lucky in that we are able to move slowly, bit by bit. But the house we are moving out of, which I didn’t think had that much stuff in it.”
Tilray Brands surged after posting stronger-than-expected quarterly results and renewed optimism around U.S. cannabis reform.
Tilray Brands Inc(TLRY 21.51%) rose 22.09% to close at $2.10 after reporting better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results. Trading volume reached 297.6 million shares, about four times its three-month average of 71 million. In intraday trading, the company reached a new 52-week high of $2.32.
The S&P 500(^GSPC -0.28%) slipped 0.28% to 6,735.11, while the Nasdaq Composite(^IXIC -0.08%) also edged lower as investors rotated toward smaller growth and speculative names.
Peers in the cannabis sector advanced alongside Tilray. Canopy Growth Corp(CGC 7.84%) gained 7.84% closing at $1.65, and SNDL Inc(SNDL 7.03%) added 7.03% closing at $2.82, both supported by stronger sentiment for U.S. cannabis policy changes.
Tilray’s earnings, released before the open, showed net revenue of $209.5 million, up 5% year-over-year, and net income of $1.5 million, reversing a prior loss. Margins narrowed slightly, but the company improved cash flow and reaffirmed its full-year profitability outlook, helping bolster confidence in its ongoing diversification strategy beyond cannabis.
Market data sourced from Google Finance and Yahoo! Finance on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
Daily Stock News has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. This article was generated with GPT-5, OpenAI’s large-scale language generation model and has been reviewed by The Motley Fool’s AI quality control systems. The Motley Fool recommends SNDL and Tilray Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
CHILLIER temperatures are here, and autumn weather offers the perfect excuse to plan a getaway.
Whether you are chasing late-season sunshine, booking a cosy weekend in the countryside, or looking for winter escapes, this time of year is full of opportunities for a new adventure
The right travel gadgets can make or break your trip.
From transparent pricing and flexible booking to standout customer service and exclusive seasonal deals, we’ve found plenty of offers to make planning your trip a breeze.
Autumn is also prime time to find discounts and savings, with major airlines, hotels, and package operators rolling out promotions to fill seasonal gaps.
That’s where our handy Checklist comes in.
This top 10 has essential brands that will help you create a seamless, stress-free adventure, while getting the best value for money.
1pMobile
Stay connected while on holiday
Visit 1pMobile.com to order your SIM today
Whether you’re travelling near or jetting off somewhere far, 1pMobile makes staying connected abroad simple and affordable.
Customers can enjoy free roaming across 46 European countries, as well as enjoy the same low tariff on holiday as they do at home, with excellent coverage across the whole of Europe and the EEA.
With multiple roaming partner networks in each country, you will always have a reliable signal from big cities to off-grid regions.
Switch to 1pMobile to access fast 4G and 5G on the UK’s best coverage, and you can keep your existing number too.
Now, no matter where you decide to travel to, you’ll be able to stay connected with loved ones as and when you need to.
Villatravellers
Stay at some of the finest holiday homes in Sicily
Find out more and book with Villatravellers
For nearly two decades, Villatravellers has been welcoming guests to southern Italy with its exclusive collection of villas.
The company has built a reputation on offering some of the finest holiday homes in Sicily, and its portfolio now includes more than 60 properties across the island.
In 2024, Villatravellers expanded with a brand-new selection of villas in Puglia.
Each villa is carefully inspected to guarantee comfort and style, whether you are looking for a beachfront hideaway, a countryside estate, or a cosy retreat.
Villatravellers also offers a range of curated experiences, from pizza-making lessons and food tours in the busy city of Palermo to boat trips and wine tastings.
Every detail is designed to bring Sicilian and Puglian life closer to guests.
Landseer Leisure
Redefining campervan travel
Visit Landseer Leisure to learn more
Landseer Leisure is redefining campervan travel and is the place to go if you have a genuine passion for adventure.
The highlight of the new range is the 2026 Landseer Custom 2.0, built on the high-spec Ford Tourneo Custom chassis.
Designed for both daily life and long-haul exploration, it combines sleek styling with practical luxury.
Inside, you can expect off-grid power with a lithium battery system and solar integration, a premium interior with oak finishes and mood lighting, and smart tech including SYNC 4 with Apple CarPlay.
With new models joining the 2026 line-up, Landseer continues to set the standard for modern campervans.
Why not let them take you on your next family adventure?
AirHelp
Get extra peace of mind while travelling
Join AirHelp now
Flight delays and cancellations are frustrating, but with AirHelp, you don’t have to face the stress alone.
As the global leader in air passenger rights and claims management, AirHelp has already secured compensation for more than three million travellers worldwide.
For example, if your flight is disrupted, you may be entitled to up to €600, and AirHelp makes claiming simple with dedicated support every step of the way.
Members pay no service fees and enjoy exclusive perks like €100 for delays, €200 for missed connections, €100 for lost luggage, airport lounge access, live flight status updates, and round-the-clock support.
San Clemente Palace
900 years of history with modern luxury
Book your luxury stay in Venice
Looking for an exclusive holiday stay that rivals an ordinary hotel?
San Clemente Palace is a luxury retreat unlike any other in Venice, set on its very own private island.
Once a historic monastery, it now offers 170 elegant rooms and suites where guests can experience tranquillity and easy access to the city, 10 minutes by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle boat.
The hotel’s Longevity Spa offers unique treatments designed to rejuvenate body and mind.
Dining options include La Dolce, an Italian brasserie by the pool, and Acquerello, a fine-dining restaurant with stunning views of San Marco, Venice.
Recognised for its opulence by Condé Nast Traveller as the Best Hotel in Venice, San Clemente Palace blends 900 years of history with modern luxury.
Moco Museum
The collection features work from world-renowned artists
Visit the website for more information
Art fans, this one’s for you. Moco Museum is an independent art destination with locations in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and London.
The museum is dedicated to showcasing modern, contemporary, and street art that inspires and challenges.
Its collection brings together world-renowned names such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy and more, alongside bold immersive digital installations.
Since opening, Moco has welcomed over six million visitors from more than 120 countries, making art accessible to a global audience.
The museum also champions the voice of street art, presenting works by Icy & Sot, Stik, and Banksy to spark conversations about culture, society, and shared human experience.
Fjord Events
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Explore the dramatic landscape of the Lysefjord
Visit the website to book your next adventure
Founded in 2006, Fjord Events has grown from a small family business into the leading provider of RIB safaris in Stavanger, Norway.
Now run by second-generation Simon Gundersen, the company has nearly 20 years of experience creating unforgettable journeys through the dramatic Lysefjord.
Guests from around the world will be able to discover iconic landmarks such as Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen in Norwegian), Hengjanefossen, often called ‘Whiskey Falls, and the peaceful Vagabond’s Cave (Fantahåla in Norwegian) on board modern, comfortable RIB vessels.
Each safari blends speed, excitement, and cultural storytelling, guided by passionate locals who share the fjord’s history and legends.
Fjord Events remains a trusted name in Norwegian adventure tourism.
Travelex
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Travelex has home delivery and convenient click-and-collect locations across the UK
Order your travel money with Travelex
Sorting your travel money is one of those satisfying steps that brings your trip even closer. Travelex keeps things simple, so you can focus on packing and planning for your adventure.
Travelex makes it easy to get your travel money, whether you prefer delivery straight to your door or collection on the go.
Order online to lock in great exchange rates and choose the option that works for you.
With convenient click and collect locations across the UK, including most major airports, you can pick up your currency as you travel or opt to save time with secure home delivery, which is free on orders over £500.
Offering a wide choice of global currencies, Travelex ensures you have what you need, when you need it, for stress-free travel.
Mill on the Brue
Action packed fun for your kids
Visit the website for more information
Since 1982, Mill on the Brue has been a family-run outdoor activity centre in South East Somerset, offering children a true ‘home from home’ adventure.
With small groups and dedicated instructors for the whole week, every child enjoys a supportive and fun environment.
Up to 72 children aged 8-15 take part each week, divided into age-appropriate groups for fun, tailored experiences.
Days are packed with at least five exciting activities ranging from zip wires, canoeing and archery to pizza making, animal care, and high ropes.
It’s a chance for young adventurers to try new skills, make friends, and build confidence.
With no phones allowed, Mill on the Brue offers a genuine digital detox and the kind of holiday memories that last a lifetime.
Love Cuba
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Plan a stress-free trip to the cultural hotspot of Cuba
Book your next trip with Love Cuba
Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist, officially named Cuba’s Leading Tour Operator at the 2025 and 2024 World Travel Awards and a multiple British Travel Award winner.
With top-rated Trustpilot reviews, the company offers unbeatable value on Cuba deals tailored to every kind of traveller and every holiday, including exclusive holidays, with top hotels like Melia Habana and Melia Varadero, with free room upgrades.
Their UK-based specialists bring decades of expertise, while a dedicated Cuban-born team provides 24/7 support on the island, and you can relax in the knowledge that your holidays are fully protected by ATOL and ABTA with Love Cuba.
With a focus on sustainable tourism, Love Cuba delivers authentic, stress-free holidays that families, couples, and solo travellers will love. Get ready to plan your dream escape.
Follow Checklist for more travel tips
Want to plan your next holiday abroad, or looking for staycation ideas?
Follow the Checklist for more tips, tricks and deals at @ChecklistSocial on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Or sign up to the newsletter and get inspiration for everything from travel and wellbeing to home and DIY.
Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too – discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
The state of Constellation Brands (STZ 1.12%) continues to worsen. Even with increased interest from Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway, tariff worries and falling levels of alcohol consumption prompted the company to lower guidance in September.
However, investors should also take a closer look at the potential buy signals that may have contributed to the growing interest in the stock from Berkshire. Do such conditions justify buying Constellation stock in hopes of a market-beating return five years from now, or should investors stay on the sidelines?
Image source: Getty Images.
Why Constellation’s pain can continue
First of all, I must issue a mea culpa regarding this stock. I predicted in early August that Constellation in one year would outperform the market. With the latest downgrade and decline, such a relatively quick turnaround looks increasingly unlikely.
Indeed, the state of the company illustrates why the turnaround might take years. For one, over 89% of Constellation’s revenue came from beer in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended May 31), specifically beers like Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico that it imports from Mexico. That will subject it to higher tariffs that could cost Modelo its No. 1 position in the U.S. market.
Consumption trends also look increasingly unfavorable. Among all generations, increasing trends toward better health and other factors may have persuaded people to either cut or eliminate alcohol consumption, placing further pressure on the company.
So it likely comes as no surprise that in fiscal Q1, net sales fell 6% to just over $2.5 billion. Also, since the cost of goods sold barely fell and operating expenses increased, the net income fell to $516 million versus $877 million in the year-ago quarter.
The company issued a mid-quarter report to revise its fiscal 2026 net sales estimate downward to a range of -6% to -4%. Although investors should have more clarity on this trend after the release of the fiscal Q2 report on Oct. 6, the update indicates that the pain will persist longer than anticipated.
The five-year bull case
Amid such conditions, Constellation Brands’ stock has lost nearly half of its value over the past year, wiping out almost all of its gains over the last 10 years. This means that new investors can buy the stock at a significant discount. Losses stemming from asset impairments temporarily left it without a P/E ratio. Still, a forward P/E ratio of 11 could indicate the selling in this stock is overdone.
This is notable since Berkshire has long sought value plays. It began buying Constellation Brands stock in the third quarter of last year. Also, despite being a net seller of stocks, it has increased its Constellation position every quarter since that time. So it may spot an opportunity that other investors have overlooked.
Berkshire has long made it known its favorite holding period is “forever.” The fact that people have consumed alcohol since the beginning of recorded history may be leading Berkshire to ignore the current consumption trends and forecast that demand is not going to go away.
Another factor drawing interest to the stock could be its dividend. Constellation began payouts in April 2015 and has increased its total dividend annually since that time. As a result, its $4.08 per share annual dividend offers new shareholders a dividend yield of 3%, well above the S&P 500 average of 1.2%.
Despite declining net sales, it generated $444 million in free cash flow in fiscal Q1. Since its dividend currently costs the company $182 million per quarter, it remains in a position to hike its payout. That, along with the lower forward P/E ratio, could make it attractive to dividend investors.
Constellation Brands in five years
Over the next five years, Constellation Brands can beat the market. Admittedly, investors who buy now will have to do so in the face of data and trends that appear increasingly bleak for the company. Moreover, the company’s release of lower guidance in the middle of the quarter suggests that any recovery will take years.
However, betting that humans will behave toward alcohol in the same way they always have should ultimately be a winning bet. With Berkshire’s backing, along with the low forward P/E ratio and increasingly attractive dividend, any improvements in Constellation’s current state are likely to take the stock significantly higher.
Will Healy has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Constellation Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The chips – made by US firm Qualcomm – are already among the most powerful around, used in phones by Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and more.
These are essential for the smooth running of devices and power consumption among other things.
Every year, Qualcomm announces start-of-the-art chip enhancements at a huge Snapdragon Summit event in Hawaii.
We were invited along to see what’s in store and for 2025 bosses revealed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Qualcomm says it is the fastest mobile system on-a-chip.
It means users can expect “lightning-fast” multitasking and seamless app switching so you can have loads open at once without causing major sluggish performance.
The upgrade is also good news for gamers, with “incredible performance and power efficiency”.
And in a mobile landscape increasingly filled with AI apps and tools, the new chip can better understand and learn from your habits to provide more useful personalised recommendations – and better still, it’s all handled on the device, so no data is sent off.
Qualcomm claims the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 boosts performance by 20 per cent compared to its last Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
“With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, you are at the center of your mobile experience,” said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handset, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“It enables personalized AI agents to see what you see, hear what you hear and think with you in real time.
“Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 pushes the boundaries of personal AI, allowing you to experience the future of mobile technology today.”
The new chip is expected to appear on flagship smartphones from a number of huge names, including:
Honor
iQOO
Nubia
OnePlus
OPPO
POCO
Realme
REDMI
RedMagic
ROG
Samsung
Sony
Vivo
Xiaomi
ZTE
Qualcomm teased that new devices will be launched with the chip in the coming days.
Must-know Android tips to boost your phone
Get the most out of your Android smartphone with these little-known hacks:
Shares of Constellation Brands (STZ -7.17%), the diversified alcohol company best known for selling Corona and Modelo beer in the U.S., were moving lower today after management slashed its full-year guidance in an early update.
As a result, the stock was down 6.7% as of 1:28 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Image source: Getty Images.
Constellation feels the immigration crackdown
In a press release this morning, the company slashed its adjusted earnings-per-share (EPS) forecast for the year from a range of $12.60 to $12.90, to a range of $11.30 to $11.60. It now sees organic net sales down anywhere from 4% to 6%, compared to a forecast of a 2% decline to a 1% gain, due to weakness in the beer category, which makes up the bulk of the business. The company’s fiscal year ends on Feb. 28, 2026.
CEO Bill Newlands said, “We continue to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment that has dampened consumer demand and led to more volatile consumer purchasing behavior since our first quarter of fiscal 2026.”
He also noted that “high-end beer buy rates decelerated sequentially,” especially for Hispanic consumers, which seemed to be a consequence of the immigration crackdown.
Nonetheless, the company said it continued to gain market share, showing it’s outperforming its peers.
What’s next for Constellation Brands
Constellation and its peers are already struggling with a number of headwinds in the alcohol sector as young people are drinking less, tariffs are weighing on global sales, and craft brewers continue to challenge the major brewers.
The stock surged over a multiyear period a decade ago after it secured the rights to sell the Mexican brands Corona and Modelo (the latter being the top-selling beer in the U.S.) from what was then Anheuser-Busch, but it’s struggled since then. The guidance cut and challenges in the beer industry show investors shouldn’t expect a quick turnaround, even if the stock has attracted backing from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, possibly a sign Buffett believes it offers good value.
Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Constellation Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
EUROPE’S car industry is “heading at full speed against a wall” and risks collapsing if the EU doesn’t rethink its ban on new petrol and diesel cars, the boss of a huge car firm has warned.
In a stark intervention, he said a “reality check” was needed before the 2035 ban on combustion-engine sales is locked in.
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Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Källenius says a ‘reality check’ is needed before the 2035 ban on combustion-engine sales is locked inCredit: AFP
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Europe’s car industry is ‘heading at full speed against a wall’ and risks collapsing if EU doesn’t rethink ban on petrol and diesel cars, says bossCredit: AFP
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Electric cars remain far from dominating the market, with EVs making up just 17.5 per cent of sales across the EU in the first half of this yearCredit: EPA
Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Källenius told German business paper Handelsblatt: “We need a reality check. Otherwise, we are heading at full speed against a wall.
“Of course, we have to decarbonise, but it has to be done in a technology-neutral way. We must not lose sight of our economy.”
The luxury brand — once gung-ho about going fully electric in Europe — has already dropped its ambitious 2021 pledge to stop selling combustion cars “where market conditions allow” by the decade’s end.
Källenius, who also heads the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), now warns the EU’s policy could trigger a last-minute rush for petrol and diesel cars before the cut-off, which “doesn’t help the climate at all.”
Electric cars remain far from dominating the market.
In the first half of this year, EVs made up just 17.5 per cent of sales across the EU, UK, and EFTA countries, while plug-in hybrids took 8.7 per cent.
Traditional hybrids accounted for 35 per cent, but that figure includes mild-hybrids, which critics say aren’t “true” hybrids.
Mercedes’ own figures show EV sales slipping — just 8.4 per cent of its global deliveries in the first six months of 2025, down from 9.7 per cent last year.
Even with plug-ins included, electrified models made up just 20.1 per cent of shipments.
The EU’s 2035 ban is due for review in the coming months, but Brussels has so far signalled no U-turn, reiterating in March its commitment to zero-emission new cars by the mid-2030s.
Tesla’s Cybertruck Graveyard: Hundreds of Unsold EVs Abandoned at Shopping Mall
Europe chief Jean-Philippe Imparato said the Franco-Italian group faces fines of up to €2.5 billion within “two-three years” if it fails to meet emissions rules.
Without a regulatory rethink by year-end, “we will have to make tough decisions,” he told a conference in Rome.
“I have two solutions: either I push like hell (on electric)… or I close down ICE (internal combustion engine vehicles).
And therefore I close down factories,” he said, pointing to the risk for sites such as Stellantis’ van plant in Atessa, Italy.
The warning comes amid fresh turmoil for Stellantis, with its new CEO Antonio Filosa inheriting the fallout from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent US import tariffs and a crisis at Maserati, which has seen sales plunge from 26,600 in 2023 to 11,300 last year.
With EV targets biting, petrol and diesel models under threat, and luxury brands cancelling investments — including Maserati’s £1.3bn electric MC20 Folgore — Europe’s car bosses are sending a clear signal to Brussels: ease off, or risk slamming the brakes on the continent’s auto industry.
Prices for the eponymous Swiss watches, Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheese could skyrocket in a week as a result of President Trump’s trade war.
Switzerland, home to some the world’s most recognizable luxury brands, now faces an upcoming 39% tariff from the U.S. Industry groups on Friday warned that both Swiss companies and American consumers could pay the price.
Trump signed an executive order Thursday placing tariffs on many U.S. trade partners — the next step in his trade agenda that will test the global economy and alliances — that’s set to take effect next Thursday. The order applies to 66 countries, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands.
In Switzerland, officials failed to reach a final agreement with the U.S. after Trump initially threatened a 31% tariff in April. Swiss companies will now have one of the steepest export duties — only Laos, Myanmar and Syria had higher figures, at 40-41%. The 27-member EU bloc and Britain, meanwhile, negotiated 15% and 10% tariffs, respectively.
Figure came as a surprise
The Swiss government spent Friday — the country’s National Day — reeling from the news. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said that the 39% figure was a surprise, because negotiators had hashed out a deal last month with the Trump administration that apparently wasn’t approved by the American leader himself.
“We will now analyze the situation and try to find a solution,” Keller-Sutter told reporters. “I can’t say what the outcome will be, but it will certainly damage the economy.”
The U.S. goods trade deficit with Switzerland was $38.5 billion last year, a 56.9% increase over 2023, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Keller-Sutter said that she believes Trump ultimately chose the 39% tariff, because the figure rounded up from the $38.5 billion goods trade deficit.
“It was clear that the president was focused on the trade deficit and only this issue,” she said.
Time is ticking for watch companies
For Swiss watch companies, whose products already come with price tags in the tens of thousands — if not the hundreds of thousands — of euros, a timepiece for an arm could cost a leg, too, come next week.
The 39% figure was especially galling to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, because Switzerland in 2024 got rid of import tariffs on all industrial goods.
“As Switzerland has eliminated all custom duties on imported industrial products, there is no problem with reciprocity between Switzerland and the U.S.,” the federation said in a statement. “The tariffs constitute a severe problem for our bilateral relations.”
Swiss watch exports were already facing a prolonged slowdown, with significant declines in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong, according to the federation’s June figures, the most recent available.
Swatch and Rolex declined to comment Friday. Representatives for Patek Philippe, IWC and Breitling didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Sour taste for Swiss chocolatiers
Multinational chocolatiers Nestlé and Lindt & Sprüngli said they have production lines in the U.S. for American customers. But small- and medium-sized Swiss companies are predicted to suffer under the tariffs.
Roger Wehrli, chief executive of the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers. also known as Chocosuisse, said Switzerland exports 7% of its chocolate production to the U.S.
It’s not just the 39% tariff that’s the issue. Once the manufacturers factor in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Swiss francs ($1 to 1.23 francs on Friday), Wehrli said, it’s close to a 50% increase in costs for the Swiss companies. And that’s a big number to pass on to American consumers, if the already-slim margins aren’t further reduced.
“I expect that our industry will lose customers in the United States, and that sales volumes will decrease heavily,” he told The Associated Press.
Wehrli said that he wants Swiss chocolatiers to sell to other markets around the globe to make up the difference. Still, he hopes American customers remember that Swiss quality beats cheaper quantity.
“I think even if prices for Swiss chocolate increase due to the very high tariffs, I think it’s worth (it) to buy Swiss chocolate,” he said. “It’s worth (it) to really eat it consciously and to really enjoy it instead of eating a lot.”
Tough pill for Swiss pharmaceuticals
Swiss pharmaceuticals powerhouse Roche says that it’s working to ensure its patients and customers worldwide have access to their medications and diagnostics amid the Trump tariff war.
“While we believe pharmaceuticals and diagnostics should be exempt from tariffs to protect patient access, supply chains and ultimately future innovation, we are prepared for potential tariffs being implemented and confident in managing any impacts,” the statement said.
The company in April announced that it plans to invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years, creating 12,000 jobs. The company already employs more than 25,000 people in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Novartis, another major Swiss pharmaceutical firm, said in a statement that it was reviewing Trump’s executive order.
“We remain committed to finding ways to improve access and affordability for patients,” it said.
Dazio writes for the Associated Press. AP writers Pietro De Cristofaro in Berlin, and David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, contributed to this report.
A new report accuses fashion giants of not considering the welfare of workers affected by climate change in garment factories in Southeast Asia.
Fashion brands including luxury label Hermes, sportswear giant Nike, and fast fashion chain H&M are in the hot seat amid new allegations of climate greenwashing after making commitments to slash carbon emissions in Asia, which is home to more than 50 percent of global garment production.
A report released this morning by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), titled, The Missing Thread, analysed 65 global fashion brands. It found that while 44 of them had made public commitments to reduce carbon emissions, none had adopted what is known as a “Just Transition” policy, a concept first introduced during COP27 in Egypt in 2022.
A Just Transition ensures that workers are not left behind as industries shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Only 11 companies in the study acknowledged the climate-related impact on workers in their social and human rights policies. Just four provided any guidance on managing heat-related stress.
Only two companies among those deemed the most ambitious by the report mentioned the welfare of workers. These included Inditex, the Spanish retail giant that owns the fast fashion company Zara, and Kering, the parent company of Gucci.
“Decarbonisation done without workers as critical and creative partners is not a just transition, it’s a dangerous shortcut,” said Natalie Swan, labour rights programme manager at BHRRC, in a news release.
Currently, the global textile industry relies on 98 million tonnes of non-renewable resources per year, such as oil and fertiliser. At current trends, the fashion industry is on track to be responsible for more than 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“The fashion industry’s climate targets mean little if the people who make its products are not taken into consideration,” Swan said. “It’s not enough to go green. It has to be clean and fair.”
“Brands must stop hiding behind greenwashing slogans and start seriously engaging workers and their trade unions, whose rights, livelihoods and safety are under threat from both climate change and the industry’s response to it. A just transition is not just a responsibility, it’s a critical opportunity to build a fairer, more resilient fashion industry that works for people and the planet.”
Al Jazeera reached out to Nike, Hermes, H&M, Inditex and Kering. None of them responded to a request for comment.
Extreme weather
The effects of climate change have already hit much of Southeast Asia hard. Garment workers in countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam have experienced extreme weather events such as surging temperatures and severe flooding.
In Bangladesh, workers reported fainting from heat-related illnesses. According to the report, factories allegedly failed to provide fans or drinking water. Similar challenges were noted in Cambodia, where temperatures regularly exceeded 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) during a 2022 heatwave.
A third of workers said they had already lost work due to automation. In Bangladesh’s garment sector, 30 percent reported job losses stemming from technological changes. These shifts have disproportionately affected female workers, who are less likely to receive training on new technologies and are often excluded from on-the-job learning opportunities that could help them adapt to evolving industry demands.
A BARGAIN banger has beaten big-name brands in a blind taste test, just in time for BBQ season.
Consumer champion Which? put a variety of supermarket and branded sausages to the test, including premium labels Heck and The Jolly Hog.
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A group of taste testers put a selection of sausages to the testCredit: Getty – Contributor
The panel was made up of 65 people, and multiple factors were taken into consideration, including the texture, taste, and price.
Of the 12 tested, three superior sausages stood out and were made Which? Best Buys.
The testers crowned Lidl’s Deluxe Pork Sausages the winner with a score of 77 percent after they ticked all the boxes.
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Lidl’s Deluxe Pork Sausages were the winnerCredit: Gary Stone
The juicy texture got people’s taste buds tingling, and the flavour of the sausages was marked as “perfect” by an impressive 80 per cent.
Lidl’s sausages were also the cheapest of the 12 tested – so it’s good news all round.
The herb and spice seasoning also hit the spot with two-thirds of our tasters.
Around three-quarters liked the salt levels and two thirds said the texture was good – neither too coarse nor too fine.
The Which? team did point out that Lidl’s sausages are pretty high in saturated fat.
Two sausages contain 11.5g, which is more than half the recommended daily maximum for women and more than a third for men.
Lidl Deluxe Pork Sausages are £2.49 for 400g, which works out as 62p per 100g.
Coming in second place was M&S Collection British Outdoor Bred Pork Sausages with a strong score of 75 percent.
Almost double the price of Lidl’s at £4.50 for 400g, the sausages are £1.13 per 100g.
The flavour, juiciness and salt levels won three-quarters of the voters over.
Two-thirds enjoyed the all-important texture, but while 58 Pper cent said seasoning was well-balanced, the remainder were divided on whether it was too much or too little.
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The Black Farmer Premium Pork Sausages were in the top fiveCredit: The Black Farmer
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Sainsbury’s pork sausages are made from 93 per cent porkCredit: Sainsbury’s
These succulent sausages from M&S are a Best Buy, but note that they are also joint priciest on test.
They are available in store only and at Ocado.
In third place is Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British Pork Sausages, scooping 75 percent.
These are £3 for 400g, which works out 75p per 100 – so they are an excellent all-rounder.
The pork flavour was highly rated, while more than 70% said the juiciness, saltiness, and herb and spice seasoning were perfect. The texture was also enjoyed by two thirds.
They lost a few marks on plate-appeal compared with the other Best Buys, and around a third said these sausages looked too pale.
They are available in store and online.
In fourth place is the first brand, The Black Farmer Premium Pork Sausages.
Costing £3.50 for 400g (88p per 100g) they were well liked across the board.
More than three-quarters liked their juiciness, while around two-thirds said the pork flavour and salt levels were good.
A few points were lost on seasoning, as a third of our tasters wanted this to be punchier.
These UK-based artisanal sausages are available on Amazon, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
Last but not least, in fifth place was Asda with its Exceptional Classic Pork Sausages.
These are pretty good sausages at a pretty good price, third cheapest after Aldi and Lidl.
More than 70 per cent enjoyed the pork flavour and pleasing texture. A similar proportion thought they looked the part and that the salt levels were right.
Herb and spice seasoning didn’t always hit the spot, though: nearly half felt this was lacking. So if you prefer a spicy sausage you might find these ones a bit bland.
They cost £2.98 for 400g (75p per 100g) and are available in store and online at Asda.
Here is how the rest of the supermarkets did:
Morrisons The Best Thick Pork Sausages – 70 percent. Mostly well-liked sausages that scored well on flavour and aroma, though barely a half were fans of their somewhat coarse texture. £3.25 for 400g (81p per 100g).
Aldi Specially Selected Pork Sausages – 69 percent. Worth considering with a satisfying texture, but somewhat bland compared with the higher-scoring sausages. £2.49 for 400g (62p per 100g).
Co-op Irresistible Pork Sausages – 69 percent. These juicy bangers were reasonable all-rounders, though a bit on the pale side. £3.60 for 400g (90p per 100g).
The Jolly Hog Proper Porker Sausages – 69 percent. Pretty good all-rounders, though no particular highlights. Around a third of our tasters wanted a stronger meaty flavour. £4 for 400g (£1 per 100g).
Iceland Luxury The Ultimate Pork Sausages – 65 percent. Fairly juicy, but rather pale and bland compared to the higher scoring sausages. They come in eight-packs, rather than the standard six. £4 for 400g (£1 per 100g).
Waitrose No.1 Free Range Pork Sausages – 62 percent. Juicy sausages, but they lost marks for looks and aroma. Less than half of our tasters found the texture and the seasoning worked for them. £4.50 for 400g (£1.13 per 100g).
Heck 97 percent Pork Sausages – 54 percent. Low in saturated fat, but also low in enjoyment factor for our tasters. More than 60 percent said the pork flavour of these pale sausages was too weak while over half wanted more seasoning. Note that the casings of these sausages are made from beef collagen. £3.25 for 400g (81p per 100g).
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “Sausages are a summer barbecue staple for many, so it’s important to pick the right ones that will have your guests queuing up for more.
“Lidl came out on top for our taste tests, impressing with their juicy texture and meaty flavour. While pricier than Lidl’s, M&S and Sainsbury’s also dished up impressively succulent sausages.”
The sausages were tested in April 2025 at Which?’s specialist test lab.
The sausages were cooked according to pack instructions.
The taste test was blind, so the testers didn’t know which brand they were trying.
They tasted the sausages in a fully rotated order to avoid any bias.
Each tester had a private tasting booth so they couldn’t discuss what they were tasting or be influenced by others.
The tasters rated the flavour, aroma, appearance, and texture of each sausage, and told Which? what they liked and disliked.
The overall score was based on: 50 percent flavour, 20 percent appearance, 15 percent aroma and 15 percent texture.
How to save money on your food shop
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year:
Odd boxes – plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price.
Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30.
Sainsbury’s also sells £2 “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash.
Food waste apps – food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public.
Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio.
Too Good to Go’s app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount.
Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses.
Yellow sticker bargains – yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap.
Super cheap bargains – sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they’ve found on the cheap, including food finds.
“Downshift” – you will almost always save money going for a supermarket’s own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands.
The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as “downshifting” and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.
Sir Elton John described the government as “absolute losers” and said he feels “incredibly betrayed” over plans to exempt technology firms from copyright laws.
Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said if ministers go ahead with plans to allow AI firms to use artists’ content without paying, they would be “committing theft, thievery on a high scale”.
This week the government rejected proposals from the House of Lords to force AI companies to disclose what material they were using to develop their programmes.
A government spokesperson said that “no changes” to copyright laws would be “considered unless we are completely satisfied they work for creators”.
Generative AI programmes mine, or learn, from vast amounts of data like text, images, or music online to generate new content which feels like it has been made by a human.
Sir Elton said the “danger” is that, for young artists, “they haven’t got the resources … to fight big tech [firms]”.
“It’s criminal, in that I feel incredibly betrayed,” he added.
“The House of Lords did a vote, and it was more than two to one in our favour,” he said. “The government just looked at it as if to say, ‘Hmm, well the old people … like me can afford it.'”
On Monday, the House of Lords voted by a 147 majority to amend the Data (Use and Access) Bill to add transparency requirements, which aim to ensure copyright holders have to give permission for their work to be used.
But on Wednesday MPs in the House of Commons voted to reject this change, meaning the bill will continue to go back and forth between the two Houses until they reach an agreement on it.
Sir Elton warned the government was on course to “rob young people of their legacy and their income”, adding that he thought the government was “just being absolute losers, and I’m very angry about it”.
The singer said that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer needed to “wise up” and described Technology Secretary Peter Kyle as “a bit of a moron”.
He said if the government does not change its plans, he would be ready to take ministers to court, saying that “we’ll fight it all the way”.
Sir Elton John spoke to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg alongside playwright James Graham
Speaking alongside the 78-year-old, playwright James Graham said ministers “do understand the value of creativity… but what’s frustrating is either the complacency or the willingness to let Silicon Valley tech bros get it all their own way”.
The chief executive of UK music, Tom Kiehl, told the BBC that the government is “on the brink” of offering up the country’s music industry “as a sacrificial lamb in its efforts to cosy up to American-based tech giants”.
He added that the prime minister “must not sell” the next generation of singers, songwriters, musicians, and music creators “down the river and allow all that talent to be crushed by letting soulless AI bots plunder their work”.
A government spokesperson said it wants the UK’s creative industries and AI companies to “flourish, which is why we’re consulting on a package of measures that we hope will work for both sectors”.
The spokesperson said it was “vital” the government worked through responses to a consultation on proposals to allow developers to use creators’ content unless rights holders elected to “opt out”.
They added that it was “equally important that we put in the groundwork now as we consider the next steps”.
“That is why we have committed to publishing a report and economic impact assessment – exploring the broad range of issues and options on all sides of the debate.”
The full interview with Sir Elton John will be on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday 18 January at 09:00 BST.
Sign up for the Off Air with Laura K newsletter to get Laura Kuenssberg’s expert political insight and insider stories every Thursday.
WHETHER you want to get your body summer ready or just want to incorporate some more exercise to your routine, pilates makes for a great workout.
And reformer pilates has become a viral hit online in recent years with over 2.8 million posts being made about it on TikTok.
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Aldi is selling a reformer pilates machine and it’s much cheaper than other brandsCredit: Supplied
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There are plenty of accessories up for grabs to for just £5.99Credit: Supplied
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The budget retailer is also selling a step deck for cardio loversCredit: Supplied
While it is proven to be an effective workout, it can be costly.
Prices for just one class start at £37 – not something we can afford to do multiple times a week.
Fortunately, Aldi has come to the rescue by selling a reformer pilates machine you can use at home.
And the best part is that it’s a fraction of the price of other brands selling one.
The easy-to-assemble machine costs just £149.99 while the Original Fold Reformer costs £1,899.99.
That’s a huge saving of £1,750 if you buy it from the German retailer.
The machine featuring adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings.
It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities.
Aldi bosses say: “Whether looking to strengthen cores, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.
“Complete with an introductory exercise chart, it’s a must-have addition to any home gym.”
The 9 best exercises to get a reformer Pilates body without the expense
If that wasn’t enough for your fitness journey, Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it.
Also up for grabs is a pilates pad, a three piece pilates ball set, a pilates ring, and rotation ring,
Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination.
For additional strength training, Aldi’s adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout.
The 5 best exercises to lose weight
By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist
EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you?
As a PT and fitness journalist, I’ve tried everything.
I’ve taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates.
Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas!
The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit.
