By Sadie Harriott

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Last year saw the fastest economic growth since Ronald Reagan was president. But for many people, 2021 felt less like “Morning in America” ​​and more like a restless night plagued by restless dreams about the ongoing pandemic.

The Commerce Department reported on Thursday that the country’s gross domestic product rose 5.7% last year – the biggest increase since 1984. But growth has come in spurts, with hopes of a recovery regularly wiped out repeatedly by successive waves of infection.

And now, uncertainty lingers in the coming year as the omicron variant continues to spread. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is preparing to raise interest rates, perhaps aggressively, in an effort to combat stubbornly high inflation.

“It wasn’t a straight line for the economy last year, that’s for sure,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The economy remains linked to the pandemic.”

Business boomed in the spring and early summer last year as millions of Americans got vaccinated and felt free to travel and dine out more. In June and July alone, employers added more than 2 million jobs, almost a third of the year’s total job gains.

But growth slowed when the delta variant hit.

“It was crazy. It was a roller coaster,” says Dave Krick, owner of three restaurants in Boise, Idaho.

Krick had high hopes for the end of the year, after a busy October, and he planned to resume hosting private parties at his restaurants, only to pull the plug when the infection rate started to climb again skyrocketing as the omicron variant began to spread. .

“It was a teaser. We thought the holiday season was going to be really good,” Krick said. “These end-of-year parties are a big part of the success of the year for us. And we have canceled practically everything.”

An economic blow – and a groan

The Commerce Department said GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.9% in the last three months of the year, driven in part by stronger exports and an accumulation of inventories.

But the fourth quarter was as uneven as the previous nine months.

“Q4 started with a bang and ended with a whimper,” said Zandi. “October was a fantastic month for the economy – consumer spending, investment – everything was running at full steam. And then in December, omicron came on the scene quickly and did a lot of damage.”

While unemployment fell to just 3.9% – the lowest level since the start of the pandemic – employers added just 199,000 jobs in December.

And forecasters expect this weakness to continue into the new year.

Early jobless claims in recent weeks suggest some employers are cutting jobs in response to the omicron wave.

Even though last year’s economic growth was the strongest in decades, it fell short of what economists had originally hoped. Early last year, some forecasters believed the combination of widespread vaccinations and pent-up demand would fuel an even stronger boom, with GDP growth of up to 7%.

“There were just too many people who weren’t vaccinated,” Zandi said. “It’s admirable how well the economy has held up, despite the fact that vaccines haven’t exactly solved the problem.”

Pandemic-related supply chain issues and labor shortages have weighed on economic growth, while driving up prices.

“Even though we had a lot of demand, we weren’t able to do as much as we hoped,” said Krick, the restaurant’s owner.

Its labor costs have risen sharply this year, thanks to higher wages and new health benefits. Restaurant food costs are also on the rise.

“Our supply chains don’t like this roller coaster,” Krick said. “We have a hard time predicting what we’re going to get and not get, so we have to adjust quickly with the menus and that takes a lot of time and energy. And the costs are really tough.”

National restaurant meal prices were 6% higher in December than a year ago, while headline inflation hit 7% – the highest level since 1982.

Will 2022 be better?

The new year will likely continue to be marked by the path of the pandemic – as well as the fight against inflation.

The Federal Reserve signaled on Wednesday that it plans to start raising interest rates at its next meeting in March, in a bid to contain prices, and markets are expecting three more rate hikes over the course of the year.

The challenge for the central bank is not to brake too hard and slow the economy too much – a tricky feat given that some economists believe the central bank has waited too long to fight inflation.

“We expect some slowdown in the omicron economy, but we think that should be temporary,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters. “We think the underlying strength in the economy should show up fairly quickly thereafter.”

Zandi said he was confident that the central bank could gradually withdraw its easy money policies without blocking the recovery.

“I think they will be able to do that and land the economy plane on the tarmac,” he said. “It might be a little bumpy here. There’s a lot of headwinds in the economy.”

Most of the federal relief programs that pumped trillions into people’s pockets during the pandemic have also expired, though restaurants are asking Congress for more help.

Zandi thinks the economy will continue to grow in 2022, but at a slower pace of around 4%.

“We are all striving to better navigate the virus and learn to live with and manage it,” Zandi said. “I hope we have another good year in 2022.”

Krick also hopes business will continue to rebound, but he makes no firm predictions about the year ahead.

“One thing we know right now is that we don’t know what 2022 is going to bring us,” he said. “We are losing a lot of money hoping that this spring and summer will be better, mainly because we have no choice. It’s a strange time to run a restaurant.”

But while most brands embrace influencer culture, Yeti doesn’t take the bait.

Instead, the brand doubles down on what it calls “the tip of the sphere,” anglers, hunters, rodeos, backcountry snowboarders and others. “We build our products for these people,” said Paulie Dery, vice president of marketing for Yeti, which is based at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. “If it’s good enough for these people, it’s definitely good enough for the picnic.”

So when Kim Kardashian posted a photo of a Yeti V Series stainless steel cooler (which costs $800) to her 200 million followers on Instagram Stories in December 2020, Yeti didn’t act on it. “It’s great that she’s using the product and that it’s relevant in this world,” Mr. Dery said, “but it’s not like we’re launching her product or focusing on that. “

The brand, which in addition to its coveted coolers and mugs sells duffel bags, chairs and apparel, topped $1 billion in net sales in 2020 and is on track to grow about 28% for 2021 ( year-end figures will be released in February) . But it’s avoiding the traditional marketing tricks that usually accompany a brand at its level. No celebrity mentions, no endless #reposts, no brand “activations” at Miami Art Basel. “It’s kind of weird for a brand marketing person to say that,” Mr. Dery admitted, “but a lot of my job is to push the brand back, trying to make sure we’re loyal to ourselves without being a fad.”

This results in advertising and social media channels that are distinctly unvarnished, if not downright dirty. Much of the brand’s imagery features its approachable and not-so-famous ambassadors in the wild, like rancher Reata Brannaman wearing chaps in a stable, or barbecue master Matt Horn hunting on horseback. In many advertisements, you have to squint to find a Yeti product, which Mr. Dery said was much to the chagrin of his sales colleagues.

Although still exceptional, it is a marketing strategy that we may see more of. Peter Fisk, the author of business and marketing books including ‘Marketing Genius’ and ‘Business Recoded’, said: “There is definitely a shift from celebrity influencers to more ‘authentic’ influencers. Mr Fisk said these could take the form of expert advisers or more anonymous “people like me”, such as the everyday runners bred by the running brand Tracksmith. “It all comes down to trust,” he said. “We know that people, especially on digital platforms, trust other real people more than institutions or traditional advertising.”

Not everyone is inspired by mountaineers and pitmasters. Hailey Brooke Weiss, the founder of Power Move Marketing in Raleigh, North Carolina, posted a TikTok showing how she would revamp Yeti’s Instagram if she was in charge. The mockup stream she cooked up had a less aggressive wilderness feel, instead showing photos with a consistent palette of pale blues, including a dog and a child. She said her goal was to “show the lifestyle and the product, but in a way that’s more accessible to all types of people.” She continued, “You don’t necessarily have to be hog wrestling to have a drink with Yeti.”

Yeti, however, is banking on the idea that the more extreme exterior images will have appeal to others. As Yeti’s Mr. Dery said, “We don’t want to ostracize anyone, but that doesn’t mean we have to flatter everyone.”

That means we probably shouldn’t expect official collaboration with some of the more outrageous manifestations of Yeti culture, like the “Yeti Butts” phenomenon. On social media, women are sharing photos of their bottoms, usually in bikinis, sitting on Yeti coolers. One Instagram account, @YetiButtsDaily, has nearly 100,000 followers. It’s run by Bakersfield, Calif., career coach Darci Smith, who told me she enjoys “promoting other women” through it. She said: “The way people raced Yeti made it a lot more fun…they’re cooler, right? But now we have made it a way of life. Ms Smith said she had contacted Yeti about a partnership, but had not received a response.

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

What’s better than snacking without guilt?

Support snacks that are good for people and the planet.

Boxgreen, a plant-based snack box social enterprise, offers an alternative to unhealthy snacks that are typically high in sodium and full of artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.

A wide variety of snacks and crunchies

Boxgreen offers vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free choices, as well as options to customize your order.

If you are looking to try a variety of products, you can Build your own gift box (from S$32.90) and fill it with 12 different snacks of your choice.

Or, reach for the Box of 12 varieties (S$29.90), which contains four of the most popular Boxgreen snacks, with three packs of each:

the Variety Pack of Crunchies (S$62.40) contains all six plant-based crunchies, five of which are halal-certified:

• Coffee and Almond Biscotti with Red Quinoa
• Umami shiitake mushroom chips
• Honey Mustard Soy Crisps
• Pretzel with peanuts and dark chocolate
• Sriracha Multigrain Crackers
• Mexican Baked Cashew Rice Crackers

They also offer ground peanut butter in jars (S$12.90) and six-packs (S$11.40/S$11.90), with flavors like Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Perky Coffee Peanut Butter.

Boxgreen’s peanut butter is ground locally and palm oil free. Pleasant.

Boxgreen is offering free shipping on orders over S$30, as well as its five-pack snack subscription, which is priced at S$12.90.

Here’s why you should support this social enterprise:

Support vulnerable communities

Each Boxgreen snack is jail-packed by Yellow Ribbon Project beneficiaries to build their skills and employability.

One of their packing facilities is located in Changi Prison.

According to DBS Bank (DBS), which supports Boxgreen, the social enterprise employs and trains more than 50 ex-convicts, and also hires ex-drug addicts, refugees, single mothers and people with special needs.

Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the works for many local businesses. Boxgreen was not spared either.

“There’s no way to let them sink or swim,” co-founder Walter Oh said in a video interview last year.

Luckily, the social enterprise didn’t have to lay off staff amid uncertainty, as Oh was able to improve its cash flow thanks to a loan from DBS.

The loan also helped the company expand operations when sales picked up during Circuit Breaker.

Company focused on sustainability

Plant-based and vegan snacks are sure to spark joy among the eco-conscious people among us.

In addition, Boxgreen packaging boxes are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable.

Beyond Boxgreen, their founders also launched a brand of “ugly fruit” drinks, according to Asia Food Navigator.

Ugly fruit refers to fruit that is less aesthetically pleasing and discarded due to cosmetic filtering.

Oh co-founder Andrew Lim shared that they hope to help reduce food waste with these drinks called Imperfect drinks.

The fruits and vegetables used to create the imperfect drinks come from a Malaysian supplier, while the teas are sourced locally.

Boxgreen is also exploring the possibility of turning dried fruits, coffee beans and tea leaves into fertilizer.

In Singapore, food waste is one of the major waste streams. Cosmetic filtering is one of the main contributing factors.

A committee member of the Fruit and Vegetable Importers and Exporters Association of Singapore said The time of the straits in 2020 that blemished fruit is discarded because it is not aesthetically appealing to consumers, who make up less than 30% of imported fruit.

In the same report, a local farm also cited cosmetic filtering as the main reason for waste before products reach consumers.

Do good this CNY

For Chinese New Year, Boxgreen is working with Rays of Hope, a group of volunteers who distribute meals to residents of York Hill Estate in Tiong Bahru, many of whom are elderly residents living alone.

With each purchase of Offer a package before 福 (33.80 S$), Boxgreen will donate S$5 to Rays of Hope to match each purchase with a goody bag to be given to residents of York Hill to celebrate the holiday season.

The Chinese New Year Limited Edition box contains three crunchies:

• Pretzel with peanuts and dark chocolate
• Sriracha Multigrain Crackers with Peanuts and Beans
• Mexican Baked Cashew Rice Crackers

By January 19, the CNY Box Packages are 20 percent off.

Best images by Boxgreen.

The Select editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles that our readers will find useful. We may receive a commission when you click on product links from our affiliate partners.

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We earn commission for products purchased through certain links in this article.

Kate Middleton has previously been spotted doing last minute shopping in The Range ahead of the Queen’s special gift exchange.

• Kate Middleton proved she loves a bargain when she was spotted browsing through items at The Range everyday goods store ahead of the Queen’s special Christmas gift exchange.
• The Duchess of Cambridge has often browsed Norfolk department stores during the holiday season.
• This royal news comes after the school rule that Prince George and Princess Charlotte are allowed to break, but their classmates are not, has been revealed.

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Kate Middleton was frugal when she was spotted shopping at her local The Range branch before Christmas in Sandringham with the Queen and the Royal Family.

Traditionally, the Queen has given her staff a total of over £ 20,000 – buying them a Christmas pudding and a pound token. But when it comes to The Firm, which has everything it could want or need, it has designed its own tradition. Her Majesty and her loved ones exchange cheap and silly fancy gifts on Christmas Eve.

This year the Queen has canceled her Christmas at Sandringham to welcome her to Windsor Castle, with family members expected to visit her, but the annual gift exchange is expected to take place as in previous years.

Traditionally, members of the royal family exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, in keeping with their heritage and German tradition.

And before Kate joined Her Majesty for the celebrations in 2018, she walked into her local The Range store in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, with the children of Cambridge by her side.

At the time, teacher Sarah Daniels spotted Kate in the bargain store and shared details of her rare royal sighting.

Ms Daniels first saw the family in the arts and crafts section of the store, before moving on to the toys section where Prince George was apparently particularly drawn to ‘dinosaur glue’.

Recounting the experience, she told The Sun: “As I looked at the shelves, I noticed a tall, dark-haired lady down the aisle and said to myself ‘I recognize that face’.”

Ms Daniels said that at one point Princess Charlotte sat on the floor and her casually dressed mother Kate was wearing jeans, low heeled boots and a jacket: ‘Get up, poppet. “

It is reported that she bought carts full of pictures, children’s books and artist supplies, then stood in line at the checkouts.

The customer continued, “I did a double take when I saw her. You wouldn’t expect to see royals shopping at The Range. I recognized little Prince George holding the hand of Kate and Charlotte with a red bow in their hair.

“Their protection officers kept a quiet distance, so they looked like any other family grabbing last-minute Christmas bargains.

“When Kate arrived at the checkouts, I had the courage to ask her if she would take a selfie with me and my kids. She declined very politely. She was so sweet, explaining that she was just doing a little Christmas shopping.

George then asked Kate if they could buy dinosaur mud, but Ms Daniels said she “hadn’t recorded a response” from the Duchess.

The holidays bring out the things that matter most and it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect them. Emergency management and law enforcement experts at the Department of Public Safety share some tips to help you and your family stay safe while on vacation.

Protect yourself against the risk of home fire

Candles can make beautiful decorations, but can present a fire hazard when left unattended. More than half of home decor fires in December are started by candles. Keep lit candles away from flammable objects (at least 12 inches) and never leave a burning candle in another room or when leaving the house. Battery operated flameless candles are a safe alternative for decorations.

Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor, especially if you are expecting guests. Make sure nothing obstructs exits in an emergency.

Heat your home safely. Keep anything that can burn (including Christmas trees) at least three feet from fireplaces, wood stoves, portable heaters and radiators. When you leave a room or go to bed, turn off the heaters or unplug them.

If you have a Christmas tree, be sure to water it every day. A dry tree can be a fire hazard.

Be careful when preparing your holiday meal

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires every year, so keep these tips in mind when preparing your holiday feast.

• Stand near your pot – if you leave your kitchen, turn off the burner.
• Watch what you cook.
• Turn the pot handles towards the back of the stove to prevent them from being bumped or torn from the stove.
• Keep a pot lid or baking sheet nearby to put out pot fires.

General home security

Stop deliveries
Stacks of newspapers in the driveway or an overflowing mailbox is a sure sign that no one is home. Stop deliveries and mail while you’re away. It is also a good practice to have a neighbor or trusted friend check your home while you are away. They can pick up anything that can be delivered and walk around your house for a quick security check.

Make your house feel occupied
Use smart home devices to schedule your lights to turn on when you’re away from home. You can also use them to turn on a TV or to listen to music. Noise is a good deterrent for potential burglars to think that you are at home.

Social media security
During holidays or extended periods, limit social media posts during your absence. You may want to avoid “check-ins” or wait until you return before posting photos of your trip.

Plan security checks
Contact your local police department or the sheriff’s office. Many offer a home security screening program for residents who may be away from their homes for extended periods of time.

Keep new purchases out of sight
The holiday season brings new treats to your home. Avoid drawing attention to new purchases by placing them near windows and inviting intruders. Also try to break the boxes to put them in the recycling bins. By hiding the boxes in the trash, no one can see what new purchases you have in your house.

Safe wherever you are

Be careful while shopping
When shopping, ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings and visit our blog for more safety tips when shopping in person and online.

Stay healthy
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), attending outdoor or virtual events poses a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 than events that are
in person and indoors. Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, consider avoiding large in-person social gatherings with people outside your household. Vaccination and stimulation against COVID-19 remain the most effective ways for people to protect themselves. Travel is not recommended if you are not fully immunized or boosted. Get tested 1 to 2 days before and 3 to 5 days after your trip and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including boosters and against the flu.

Additional Resources:

Deer Mountain Cabinetmaking in Ramsay

Slainte Butte America Pub, 43 E. Park St.

Butte Auto, 3883 Harrison Ave.

406 Quality Home Care, 208 W. Park St.

Granite Technology Solutions, Southwest Montana

If shopping makes you thirsty for work, there’s good news at Lakeside Shopping Center. The Metairie shopping center now has its own bar.

Vine & Tap officially opens Thursday right next to the atrium near the middle of the mall. It’s a cafe-sized space with a marble bar for counter service and a collection of tables around the room for full service. After the holidays, Vine & Tap will be adding more tables to the atrium, an area that is now occupied by a stage for photos with Santa Claus and the North Pole Express train ride.

This is the next project for New Orleans-based Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, which operates numerous restaurants in the area.

This includes a Tavola restaurant and wine bar in a separate building adjacent to the shopping center, at the address that has long been Bravo’s home! It opened last year and company CEO Marv Ammari said the happy hour response at the restaurant was part of the reasoning for adding this new bar inside the mall to him. -same.

“We got to know Lakeside and they got to know us, and this different opportunity presented itself,” he said.

Vine & Tap has a full bar, with beer, cocktails and frozen drinks, including an icy eggnog for the holiday season. Wine is the specialty, with around ten wines on tap in addition to the bottle list. The bar also sells retail bottles of wine, for people who want to take home what they’ve tasted.

In the coming weeks, Vine & Tap will add a short menu with cheese and cold cuts, salads, panini and other snacks.

The idea, said Ammari, is to provide another convenience to shoppers who want to take a break between stores. It can also give someone who’s just been around a mall a place to relax while others continue to shop.

Ammari said he took inspiration from wine bars he saw in malls in other cities. One difference here, however, is the go cups. Customers can take their drinks with them to continue walking around the mall.

“This is New Orleans. Without it it could be a tough sale, ”he said.

The new wine bar is located on the site formerly occupied by a Godiva Chocolatier store. Earlier in 2021, Godiva began closing its 128 retail stores and cafes in North America to focus on wholesale and online sales.

Vine & Tap will reflect the opening hours of the shopping center. That means it will rain before noon most days. That’s why the bar has a Bloody Mary on the menu, said company chief operating officer Zeid Ammari.

“A damn Mary and shopping do me good,” he laughs.

Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts operates a wide range of restaurants and bars, including the historic Broussard’s, Café Maspero and the Bombay Club. Lately it has grown into Jefferson Parish and started its first project on the North Shore. A Covington location of its Boulevard American Bistro is now slated to open in early 2022.

Vine & Tap

Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 boul.