Squawk Pod Holiday Gratitude & Happiness with Arthur Brooks 12/26/25
9 snips
Dec 26, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, happiness expert Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and author, shares how generosity and family ties are essential to finding true happiness. He emphasizes five money strategies to enhance joy, including investing in experiences and meaningful giving. Retail analyst Michael Zakkour reveals interesting trends from the holiday shopping season, detailing how a shorter timeframe impacted consumer behavior and identifying luxury and budget winners. The conversation seamlessly blends insights on spending and emotional well-being.
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Holiday Spending Was Highly Unequal
- Holiday shopping this year was bifurcated: value retailers gained while affluent shoppers concentrated spending.
- Michael Zakkour notes top earners drove ~80% of consumer spending in 2025.
Luxury Market Split By Price Tier
- Luxury's recovery is polarized: ultra-high-end items sell well, while aspirational luxury struggles.
- Zakkour explains consumers reject higher prices for pieces that don't add perceived extra value.
Tariffs May Raise Prices In Q1
- Tariffs affected holiday pricing but smart retailers front-loaded inventory to blunt impacts.
- Zakkour warns that pre-tariff stock is depleted and prices could jump in Q1 next year.
