Market Outsiders

UPS posted a surprise beat and a bold turnaround. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down where the 34,000+ cuts land, why Amazon volume fell 21 percent, and how route consolidation, asset light moves, and small business focus could reshape holiday shipping. 

We also cover tariffs and the de minimis change, plus why supply chain consulting is set to boom.

Chapters

• 02:58 Understanding UPS's Business Model and Challenges
• 05:57 UPS'...

Pokémon and Taylor Swift trading cards are making a billion-dollar comeback, and Target and Walmart are cashing in. 

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this craze says about retail strategy, consumer behavior, and the strength of the U.S. shopper heading into the holidays.

Links Mentioned

• Pokémon, sports trading card boom boosts Target, Walmart ahead of holiday season (CNBC)
• Labubu Dolls and the Business of Scarcity (previous epi...

Nestlé just announced 16,000 job cuts, one of the largest in modern CPG history.

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what this massive restructuring says about the company’s new strategy, how it mirrors the playbooks of Kraft Heinz and Hershey, and what it reveals about the future of global consumer brands.

They unpack how Nestlé defines “winning,” why the market rewarded layoffs, and what every business leader can learn about growth, p...

Walmart is making a push on U.S. manufacturing, and says it’s good business. Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s signal versus spin, where onshoring can actually cut costs, and why category-by-category moves matter more than headline percentages.

We get into supplier power, inventory timing, vertical integration in beef, and pharma basics like bringing amoxicillin back onshore. Plus, a personal investing lesson from Jenny ...

Delta just posted blockbuster earnings, and it’s not because more people are flying. Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack how Delta’s $8B profit engine runs on premium seats, credit card partnerships, and a bet on wealthy travellers.

They dive into what makes Delta’s “premium economy” the most profitable cabin in the sky, why Buffett once got airlines wrong, and how rivals like United and Southwest are scrambling to catch up.

Links mentioned ...

Private markets are courting everyday investors. Why now, and what should you do about it?

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the “retail revolution” in private investing, explaining why firms like Ares are turning to individuals and how private credit is reshaping access to capital.

You’ll learn:

• Why private funds suddenly want retail investors
• How private credit works (and why it’s booming)
• The tradeo...

Warren Buffett is still making big moves at 95 years old. His latest play? A $10 billion bet on OxyChem, the petrochemical arm of Occidental.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what makes this deal stand out. They break down the financial engineering behind it, why debt reduction matters in today’s macro climate, and how it fits into the broader Buffett Playbook. 

From shareholder buybacks to B...

Claire’s is back in the headlines after its latest bankruptcy and acquisition by Ames Watson, the firm behind Lids. Can a nostalgic mall brand really be turned around in today’s retail environment?

In this episode, we unpack Claire’s challenges, the role of experience in modern retail, and what this deal signals for the future of malls.

Timestamps:

[07:15] What Made Claire’s a Rite of Passage
[10:22] Bankruptcy and the Ames Watson...

The NFL isn’t just America’s favorite pastime. It’s also a business giant that generates two-thirds of its revenue from one source: media rights.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack:

• Why the league is considering renegotiating billion-dollar contracts years ahead of schedule
• How streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube TV are reshaping the game
• Why the NFL holds more leverage than ever befo...

Labubu dolls are the latest global craze... but what makes them so irresistible?

In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the business model behind Labubu’s rise, from blind box marketing to luxury brand tie-ins. 

They explore:

• How scarcity fuels demand
• Why repeat purchases matter more than volume
• How the resale market reinforces value

It’s a case study in novelty vs. luxury, brand strategy, and consumer psychology — all...

Amex just raised the annual fee on its Platinum card from $695 to $895 — a nearly 30 percent jump. 

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s behind the increase, why Amex believes customers won’t walk away, and how the move fits into a broader strategy to protect its premium brand.

We dig into questions like: 

• Who really cares about the fee hike? 
• Why didn’t Amex go even higher? 
• And what does this...

Ram will cancel its all-electric pickup, raising questions about the EV market, the rise of hybrids, and what truck buyers really want. Was the plan ever realistic, or just peak EV hype?

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the strategy shift at Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge — and why it matters. They also highlight:

• The risks of chasing trends
• The limits of EV infrastructure
• Why hybrids may be the mo...

Jolie isn’t just selling showerheads — it’s turning your bathroom into a subscription business. In today’s episode, we break down how a simple product innovation paired with sharp marketing and a recurring revenue model is disrupting an overlooked category. 

From personalized water tests to DTC funnels that bypass big-box retail, Jolie shows how challenger brands are rewriting the rules of consumer products.

Links mentioned in the ep...

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the booming business of sports betting. 

From DraftKings to FanDuel, they examine how sportsbooks use aggressive advertising to acquire customers, the economics behind their business models, and the role of state regulations. 

The conversation also highlights the challenges of user retention and the untapped B2B opportunities shaping the future of online gambling.

Links:

Saks is now selling luxury goods on Amazon. Is this a bold new growth play or a last gasp for survival? 

Namaan and Jenny dig into the financial pressures behind the deal, Amazon’s stake in Saks, and whether this move signals the end of department stores as we know them. It’s a revealing look at the future of luxury retail.

Links:

• Watch the Saks on Amazon ad we discussed here 
• Read the Forbes analysis on the partnership here

Mo...

Kraft Heinz is splitting after a decade, and we unpack what that says about the end of “scale at all costs” in Big Food. Jenny Rae and Namaan dive into why focus beats brute scale, how zero-based budgeting collided with challenger brands, and why owning the shelf no longer locks in customers.

From ketchup loyalty to cream cheese on the “taste elevation” roster, we map the split: condiments vs packaged meals, the margin math, and the...

Great Wolf Lodge might look like just another family getaway, but behind the wolf ears and waterslides is a billion-dollar business model. 

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down how this “cruise ship on land” drives year-round revenue, why its fixed-cost structure makes it so attractive to private equity, and what it tells us about the rise of experiences over products in today’s economy.

Listen in as we connect the dots between ...

Dr. Pepper is making an $18 billion play in the global coffee market, acquiring Dutch giant JDE Peet’s and splitting into two standalone companies. The deal creates a new coffee contender set to rival Nestlé.

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Dr. Pepper is betting big, what the move says about synergies and strategy, and why investors sent KDP’s stock down.

They also explore what this means for global beverage competition and wheth...