Morning Brew Daily Why Companies Do Layoffs Before the Holidays & Disney's Board Battle
Dec 15, 2023
Explore the reasons behind recent corporate layoffs before the holidays, from safety concerns to financial struggles, featuring companies like Etsy and Hasbro. Dive into Disney's board battles as an activist investor pushes for change amid declining film performance. Discover the booming coffee shop scene in China, where local brands rise to challenge Starbucks. Finally, learn valuable business lessons from Willy Wonka's creative marketing strategies that drive consumer loyalty and engagement.
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Newark Bull
- A rogue bull was found running on the tracks of Newark Penn Station, causing a 45-minute delay.
- Neal Freiman hypothesized it escaped from a cattle train, while Toby Howell joked it signaled a bull market.
Pre-Holiday Layoffs
- Companies like Cruise, Etsy, Spotify, and Hasbro announced layoffs before the holidays.
- This is often done to clean up balance sheets before year-end reporting and reduce bonus payouts.
Macro Environment Excuse
- Many companies blame layoffs on the challenging macro environment.
- This excuse might weaken as consumer sentiment improves and inflation worries lessen.