Durian is the king of fruits in Asia, and demand is off the charts. Farmers in Malaysia are cashing in on the craze. And even the royal family wants in. But this growing business has come at a cost. Now, small farmers are stuck in a ruthless land battle with a big corporate and the local government.
Category Archives: Business
Inside Views: The Toyosu Seafood Market in Tokyo
How a 600-pound tunafish sells for $3 million
Toyosu Market in Tokyo is home to the world-famous tuna bidding wars each morning. But overfishing is starting to take its toll on marine life.
Books: ‘The Carlyle’ – The History Of The Iconic New York City Hotel (SEP 2021)
If there is one landmark that encapsulates the spirit of New York City, with all its glamour, charm and singularity, it is The Carlyle Hotel. An Upper East Side institution since it opened in 1930, The Carlyle has become synonymous with luxury, status and sophistication. Its suites have housed presidents and princesses, dukes and duchesses, and Hollywood’s most honored stars.
Commemorating the hotel’s ninetieth anniversary and featuring the recent renovation by the esteemed designer Tony Chi, this all-new edition of The Carlyle explores the hotel’s storied history and its status as an enduring icon. With exclusive interviews with celebrity patrons and never-before-seen photographs from the earliest archives up to today’s most exclusive parties, this stunning volume is an homage to the rich past and vibrant present of this grand, world-famous hotel.
James Reginato, Writer-at-Large for Vanity Fair and a contributor to Sotheby’s Magazine, is the author of Great Houses, Modern Aristocrats. A leading journalist, he was formerly W Magazine’s Features Director.
Regarded as one of the preeminent rock musicians of our time, Lenny Kravitz has transcended genre, style, race and class over the course of a forty-year musical career. Reveling in the soul, rock and funk influences the 1960s and 1970s, the writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist has won four consecutive Grammy® Awards. His eleven studio albums have sold forty million worldwide and his creative firm Kravitz Design Inc. touts an impressive portfolio of ventures, including hotel properties and high-end brands like Rolex, Leica and Dom Pérignon. He’s the author of Flash, which showcases rock photography and his memoir, Let Love Rule, landed him on The New York Times Best Seller List.
Previews: Monocle Book Of Entrepreneurs (Nov ’21)
Analysis: ‘Dark Stores’ Speed Up Grocery Delivery
Speedy grocery delivery is booming, but competition and high running costs could hinder growth. Startups are promising to deliver groceries to your doorstep in minutes, stepping up competition in the industry. Their strategy: to operate out of “dark stores.” WSJ visits some of these hyperlocal warehouses to see how they operate and the challenges they face. Photo/Video: Michelle Inez Simon
Chip Shortage: Forcing Auto Makers To Adapt
The number of semiconductors in a modern car, from the ignition to the braking system, can exceed a thousand. As the global chip shortage drags on, car makers from General Motors to Tesla find themselves forced to adjust production and rethink the entire supply chain. Illustration/Video: Sharon Shi
Reviews: How To Create Sustainable Business (MIT)
Analysis: How Amazon Is Taking On Fedex & UPS
Amazon is on a spending spree to grow its fleet of planes, vans, semitrucks and drivers in its latest move to compete with FedEx and UPS. Now, it’s using the added capacity to move cargo for outside customers, betting big on the business of third-party shipping while also shipping 72% of its own packages. CNBC talks to former Amazon executives and current customers using the shipping services to find out all about the behemoth’s next big move.
Analysis: Why Uber & Lyft Rides Got So Expensive
According to Rakuten Intelligence, the cost of a ride from a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft increased 92% between January of 2018 and July of 2021. Many riders have also noticed increased wait times for rides, and a recent driver shortage is likely to blame. In early July 2021, Uber and Lyft drivers were about 40% below capacity. The companies have taken notice of this driver shortage, and are investing millions worth of bonuses and base rates to convince drivers to return. But will it be enough to get drivers back on the roads?
Intellicurious 