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Member Brief: Trump's Commerce Shortlist is a Cultural Cipher

Six People Who Could Reinvent American Commerce
November 13, 2024

Member Brief: The Commerce Candidate is a Rorschach Test in Disguise…

If Gina Raimondo's Commerce Department were a retail concept, it would be the ultimate DTC startup that somehow landed premium shelf space at Walmart.

But as the race for her potential successor heats up, the shortlist reads less like a bureaucratic roster and more like a cultural manifesto about America's economic soul.

From tech diplomats to wrestling magnates, each candidate tells a different story about tomorrow's economy. We mapped the topology of commerce's future, and what we found might surprise you…

This interactive briefing is exclusively for members of Future Commerce Plus.

Read the Member Brief.

Image: Warner Bros

A Billionaire With Gaudy Auto Design? No, not Elon. Bruce Wayne. And for a hefty $3MM, fans can now own a street-legal replica of Batman’s Tumbler, courtesy of Wayne Enterprises. This limited edition boasts iconic armored detailing, state-of-the-art engineering, and the unmistakable bulk of the Dark Knight’s vehicle.

Image: @just2goodYT on x.com

Mattel’s Packaging Mishap: Mattel apologized after a printing error on its new Wicked dolls mistakenly directed buyers to an adult website. Intended to link to the upcoming movie’s official site, the error affected boxes sold primarily in the U.S. Mattel advises customers to remove or obscure the offending link on the packaging, offering customer support for affected buyers.

Image: @SweetCrumblSpoilers on Instagram

Thanksgiving “Piepocalypse” at Crumbl Cookies: Crumbl Cookie fans on Reddit are losing their turkey-lovin minds over a Thanksgiving-themed lineup, dubbed the “piepocalypse,” which features pie-inspired cookie flavors. Many reactions range from dull excitement to extreme criticism over flavor choices and availability, with some fans voicing… ahem… strong opinions on the selection. 

Costco Butter Recall Alert. 80,000 pounds of Kirkland-brand butter sold at Costco is being recalled. Why? Because it doesn’t say that it contains milk on the packaging. The ‘unlabelled allergen’ is causing hot debate on the internet over labelling laws and consumer protections vs. personal responsibility and common sense. Along with the recall are instructions on how to dispose of your milk-laden butter. But. Y’all. It’s butter.

Pictured: real-life humans are taking mannequin jobs. (Via @chinainsider on X/Twitter)

Dey Took Ar Jayerbs. One Chinese retailer has found a new way to show off clothing and attract a crowd. Walking on an under-desk treadmill, real-life mannequins show clothes in motion while burning calories.

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