RetailWhy Online Sales Aren’t Profitable for Grocery StoresSeptember 23, 2025 • 5 min readManagementUber Launched a Women-Only Service. Will It Work?September 23, 2025 • 4 min readMarketingBad Things, Good Business | Patti WilliamsSeptember 23, 2025 • 14 min listenProfessor Patti Williams explains why we like things that are so bad, they’re good. LeadershipOperationalize AI Accountability: A Leadership PlaybookSeptember 23, 2025 • 4 min readManagementWhat’s Behind the Endless Breakup-Merger Cycle?September 16, 2025 • 5 min read Read the Report Read the Report Read the Report Read the Report Read the Report Learn More Read the Report Featured Videos 0:40 It is crucial that political influence should not compromise the independence of the central bank, Wharton Professor Pat Harker discusses in this clip from the podcast, This Week in Business. ABOUT THE EPISODE Patrick Harker, former Philadelphia Federal Reserve President and Wharton School Dean, and current Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions and Director of Academic Engagement at Penn Washington, covers key takeaways from the Jackson Hole symposium, rate cut forecasts, views on federal independence, and what economic issues Americans should be keeping their eyes on. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #federalreserve #rates #centralbank #politicalnews #businesspodcast ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLk1icHBjaWpGU1pr Central bank Independence is a Non-Negotiable September 24, 2025 9:48 am 8:34 ABOUT THE EPISODE Cait Lamberton, Alberto I. Duran President's Distinguished Professor, Vice Dean and Director of the Wharton Undergraduate Division, and Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, examines the nuances of AI and emerging technologies in business and their impact on the evolution of future business models. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #aifuture #ai #businesspodcast ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLjh4UWRfbmhaRVRF Unpacking the Complex Role of AI in Business September 24, 2025 9:00 am 14:06 EPISODE OVERVIEW Why do we sometimes love things we know are “bad”? In this episode of The Ripple Effect, Wharton Executive Education Vice Dean and Marketing Professor Patti Williams unpacks the psychology behind the consumption of something that is “so bad it’s good." From cult films like The Room to fads like the pet rock or today’s Pop Mart Labubu collectibles, Patti Williams explains why people often prefer the extremes—great or terrible—over the forgettable middle. She shares how hedonic motives, curiosity, and even storytelling value make bad jokes, awful auditions, and offbeat products more entertaining than their mediocre counterparts. This conversation also explores how companies tap into that sweet spot of irony and sincerity, fueling virality and cultural moments that stick. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #ConsumerBehavior #MarketingInsights #SoBadItsGood #ConsumerPsychology #ViralProducts #MarketingPsychology ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLjdMMXlaVHI1Slg0 Are Labubus Popular Because They Are "So Bad They're Good?" September 23, 2025 9:00 am 0:52 Gain business insights from Wharton professors through Knowledge at Wharton's five podcasts: 🎙️ Moneyball explores how the sports industry can harness the power of data and analytics. Watch here: https://whr.tn/4mplvaR 🎙️ This Week in Business breaks down the latest news impacting consumers and the business world. Watch here: https://whr.tn/46yBgWX 🎙️ Marketing Matters covers trends in marketing, advertising, consumer behavior, and brand-building. Watch here: https://whr.tn/4n8hIjc 🎙️ Where AI Works, made in collaboration with Accenture, offers findings from leaders spearheading AI adoption. Watch here: https://whr.tn/47Pku8h 🎙️ Ripple Effect translates Wharton research into knowledge you can use. Watch here: https://whr.tn/3VuE96a #businesspodcast #businessinsights #businessresearch #businessnews #businessschool ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLmlfLTN0cDB2V3o0 Introducing the Wharton Podcast Network September 22, 2025 11:01 am 1:3:57 ABOUT THE EPISODE Wharton Moneyball features ESPN’s Brian Burke on the revamped Football Power Index (FPI), a Bayesian model that combines Vegas priors with play-by-play efficiency to track team strength. Early outputs place Green Bay among the top contenders and give the Chargers a temporary edge over Kansas City due to the weight of early wins in the simulation. They revisit Baltimore’s costly 4th-down punt and explore clearer ways to convey uncertainty—whether through playoff brackets designed to reflect historical patterns or upset quartets structured so that probability indicates one underdog is likely to prevail. They also cover the NFL’s dramatic spike in kickoff returns under new rules, the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry framed as ceiling versus consistency, and MLB closing in on a rare milestone with four players on pace for 50-home-run seasons. ABOUT THE PODCAST Sports is a game of numbers. Wharton experts Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, Cade Massey, and Adi Wyner team up to tackle the world of sports, from current events to longstanding issues such as: What sports streaks are the most impressive? How do you rank the best players? Can athletes be compared across sports? The Moneyball podcast explains how decision-makers in the game can avoid the common mistakes and embrace the data. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kr0H Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4fBY7oM #SportsAnalytics #NFLWeek1 #FootballAnalytics #NFLHighlights #FootballAnalysis ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLlU2anlKSk5lS040 NFL Week 1 Review: Fourth Down Decisions, Super Bowl Odds, and Kickoff Returns September 19, 2025 3:32 pm 9:21 ABOUT THE EPISODE Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model warns that while AI adoption could lift GDP by up to 3.7% by 2075, it’s no cure for America’s debt. Market gains are concentrated in the “Magnificent Seven,” major tech giants, and policymakers betting on AI as a fiscal rescue are overstating its power. Early estimates show ~$400B deficit relief in a decade, but costs like healthcare could erase much of that. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #AI #Economy #AIImpact #FutureOfWork #AIFuture #FiscalPolicy ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLkY4VUplakdBcnpr AI Powers Growth, Productivity, and GDP, but Won’t Fix the Fiscal Crisis September 19, 2025 2:52 pm 1:1:26 ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of the Moneyball podcast from Wharton, NFL analyst Kevin Cole joins the hosts to examine what early-season models reveal beyond team records. The discussion highlights over- and underperformers, the signal in rookie and early-career quarterback efficiency after context adjustments, and the balance of coaching decisions versus roster strength. It also explores how short-yardage strategy affects expected points added (EPA) and win probability. They also talk about the wide-open college football title field, the undervalued impact of elite catcher production during a historic home run surge, and the most consequential MLB playoff races with the factors most likely to decide them. ABOUT THE PODCAST Sports is a game of numbers. Wharton experts Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, Cade Massey, and Adi Wyner team up to tackle the world of sports, from current events to longstanding issues such as: What sports streaks are the most impressive? How do you rank the best players? Can athletes be compared across sports? Moneyball Highlights explains how decision-makers in the game can avoid the common mistakes and embrace the data. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kr0H Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4fBY7oM Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/moneyball #NFL #SportsAnalytics #MLB #Baseball #Football #Playoffs ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLldOTk1TYmtuYVNv NFL Week 3 Analytics Insights and MLB Home Run Chase & Playoff Outlook September 18, 2025 6:17 pm 31:44 ABOUT THE EPISODE Yahoo is celebrating 30 years as a top internet brand, still reaching 90% of the U.S. online population. This episode of Marketing Matters explores how Yahoo stays relevant through first-party data, its DSP (demand-side platform), and innovative storytelling. We look at how physical activations at SXSW and Cannes Lions turn cultural insights into lasting brand impact while reinforcing Yahoo’s position in advertising and media. ABOUT THE PODCAST Marketing Matters is hosted by Wharton marketing professors Barbara Kahn and Americus Reed. Each week they discuss marketing and advertising trends, consumer behavior, data and analytics, the latest in retail marketing, brand-building, and much more with their expert guests. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kg5x Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/3Ug7wse Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/marketingmatters #Yahoo #BrandStorytelling #ExperientialMarketing #MediaInnovation #BusinessPodcast #MarketingInsights ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLmVvZW5LenlYdkRZ Yahoo Turns 30 Years Old: Marketing Strategy Through Storytelling and Experience September 18, 2025 5:50 pm 7:17 ABOUT THE EPISODE Wharton Professor Herb Hovenkamp unpacks the recent antitrust ruling against Google, which stopped short of a breakup but forces the company to share its massive search index with rivals. He explains why injunctions are more common than breakups in monopoly cases, how low switching costs could shift user behavior if competitors improve, and why AI could be the wild card that finally brings real differentiation to search. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #Google #SearchEngines #TechRegulation #TechPolicy #Antitrust #FutureOfSearch ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLmpEa0xlS3ExdExn Antitrust Case Lets Google Keep Chrome but Requires Data Sharing With Competitors September 17, 2025 10:41 am 0:38 Marketing Professor at the Wharton School Z. John Zhang explains how cheap knockoffs, dupes, and fakes of luxury products can prompt consumers of the authentic versions of the good to double down on their consumption, making real luxury goods even more desirable, niche, and exclusive. EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton professor John Zhang explains why counterfeit luxury goods can actually boost authentic brands. When fakes are widespread, wealthy consumers buy more real products to prove their status, creating a “maximalist” display that counterfeit buyers cannot easily copy. Luxury companies respond by producing more variety and innovating faster so they stay ahead of imitators and give rich buyers new ways to stand out. Even with the rise of high-quality “super fakes,” authentic brands maintain power because scarcity, brand reputation, and the difficulty of assembling a full set of genuine products still make true luxury stand out. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #knockoff #luxurybrand #luxurybranding #luxurymarketing #marketing ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLllvZXh4VC1zWnFN Super fake luxury goods can actually improve real goods' sales. September 16, 2025 5:02 pm 1:0:12 ABOUT THE EPISODE Steven Godfrey, columnist at The Washington Post and cohost of multiple college football podcasts, joins Cade Massey, Eric Bradlow, and Adi Wyner to discuss the growing role of analytics in shaping how fans, coaches, and media interpret the sport, offering insights into decision-making, fan culture, and the changing landscape of college football. Cade, Eric, and Adi also explore under-the-radar college football matchups, the evolving storylines of the US Open including Naomi Osaka’s return, rare achievements in Major League Baseball, and the start of the NFL season. ABOUT THE PODCAST Sports is a game of numbers. Wharton experts Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, Cade Massey, and Adi Wyner team up to tackle the world of sports, from current events to longstanding issues such as: What sports streaks are the most impressive? How do you rank the best players? Can athletes be compared across sports? Moneyball Highlights explains how decision-makers in the game can avoid the common mistakes and embrace the data. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kr0H Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4fBY7oM Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/moneyball #sportsanalytics #collegefootball #nfl #dataanalytics ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLndkTFpOUmhfZTk4 How Analytics Are Changing the Game in College Football September 16, 2025 3:53 pm 13:09 EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton professor John Zhang explains why counterfeit luxury goods can actually boost authentic brands. When fakes are widespread, wealthy consumers buy more real products to prove their status, creating a “maximalist” display that counterfeit buyers cannot easily copy. Luxury companies respond by producing more variety and innovating faster so they stay ahead of imitators and give rich buyers new ways to stand out. Even with the rise of high-quality “super fakes,” authentic brands maintain power because scarcity, brand reputation, and the difficulty of assembling a full set of genuine products still make true luxury stand out. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #LuxuryBrands #LuxuryMarket #MinimalistLuxury #ConsumerBehavior #LuxuryMarketing ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLmh5VU92dDBmM29v Why Fake Designer Goods Can Strengthen Luxury Markets September 16, 2025 9:01 am 33:12 ABOUT THE EPISODE Daphne Howland, Senior Reporter at Retail Dive, joins Barbara and Americus to discuss the risks and rewards of legacy brand reinvention, from Cracker Barrel’s controversial logo change to Gap’s viral cultural campaigns and Victoria’s Secret’s ongoing identity reset, offering insights into how companies can balance tradition, modern trends, and consumer expectations. ABOUT THE PODCAST Marketing Matters is hosted by Wharton marketing professors Barbara Kahn and Americus Reed. Each week they discuss marketing and advertising trends, consumer behavior, data and analytics, the latest in retail marketing, brand-building, and much more with their expert guests. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kg5x Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/3Ug7wse Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/marketingmatters #branding #marketingstrategy #consumerbehavior #retail #advertising ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLjk3di1KMm9nSVQ0 From Cracker Barrel to Gap: Navigating Brand Legacy September 15, 2025 9:33 am 8:51 ABOUT THE EPISODE President Trump’s executive order on “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors” could transform retirement savings. Wharton’s Burcu Esmer, Academic Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, unpacks how private equity, private credit, and other alternatives might fit into 401(k) plans — and what risks, fees, and regulatory challenges come with them. This move could open new opportunities for everyday investors while giving private equity firms access to trillions in retirement capital. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #401k #PrivateEquity #AlternativeInvestments #PublicPolicy #financialregulation ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLl9KTnBJNXR0S3lZ What Private Equity Could Mean for Your 401k September 12, 2025 9:01 am 42:31 ABOUT THE EPISODE Jeff Sackmann, founder of Tennis Abstract, joins Cade Massey, Eric Bradlow, and Adi Wyner to discuss his data-driven forecasts for the U.S. Open, the statistical dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and how tennis analytics is reshaping the way we understand player performance and strategy. Cade, Eric & Adi also discuss Tommy Fleetwood’s long-awaited PGA victory, the statistical challenges of measuring golf performance, rising MLB fastball velocities, and the excitement surrounding one of the strongest opening weekends in college football history. In a bonus overtime interview, Cade speaks with Ralph Russo, national college football writer at The Athletic, about how data-driven insights are shaping the narratives around college football. ABOUT THE PODCAST Sports is a game of numbers. Wharton experts Eric Bradlow, Shane Jensen, Cade Massey, and Adi Wyner team up to tackle the world of sports, from current events to longstanding issues such as: What sports streaks are the most impressive? How do you rank the best players? Can athletes be compared across sports? The Moneyball podcast explains how decision-makers in the game can avoid the common mistakes and embrace the data. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/459Kr0H Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4fBY7oM #usopen #tennis #sportsanalytics #statistics#collegesports ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLi1qY2pDSDRFN3RN Inside the Numbers: The U.S. Open & Player Performance September 10, 2025 5:54 pm 11:05 ABOUT THE EPISODE Joseph Gyourko, Wharton Professor of Real Estate, Professor of Finance, and Professor of Business Economics & Public Policy, examines long-term housing affordability trends across U.S. markets. From 1975–2000, coastal cities like San Francisco and New York saw the steepest price growth, but since 2000 Miami, Phoenix, and other Sun Belt housing markets have surged. Despite strong demand, new single-family construction has slowed due to local regulation and zoning. Gyourko warns that if supply remains constrained, Sun Belt real estate could face the same affordability challenges as today’s coastal markets. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #HousingMarket #RealEstateTrends #HousingAffordability #HomePrices #HousingCrisis ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLkRULWlNRDdRMEJj Housing Supply Slowdown in the Sun Belt, Coastal Cities, and Across the US September 10, 2025 9:00 am 0:47 The Wharton School Professor Peter Fader explains the beneficial relationship between offering loyalty programs and maximizing customer lifetime value. EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton marketing professor Peter Fader explains that airlines generate much of their profitability from loyalty programs through partnerships with banks. He notes that Starbucks frequently changes its program, sometimes removing or reintroducing rewards, while Luckin Coffee relies on heavy discounts to build a customer base. McDonald’s designed its program to move from a transaction model to a relationship model. Fader emphasizes that loyalty programs provide better customer data, enable differentiated treatment, and should be tied to customer lifetime value, with AI helping identify top customers and design relevant perks. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #LoyaltyPrograms #Airlines #Starbucks #CustomerCentricity #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLjJ0U0JjTzRlbnU0 Loyalty programs, like Starbucks,' can give them an edge on catering to their strongest customers September 9, 2025 11:20 am 14:14 EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton marketing professor Peter Fader explains that airlines generate much of their profitability from loyalty programs through partnerships with banks. He notes that Starbucks frequently changes its program, sometimes removing or reintroducing rewards, while Luckin Coffee relies on heavy discounts to build a customer base. McDonald’s designed its program to move from a transaction model to a relationship model. Fader emphasizes that loyalty programs provide better customer data, enable differentiated treatment, and should be tied to customer lifetime value, with AI helping identify top customers and design relevant perks. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #LoyaltyPrograms #Airlines #Starbucks #CustomerCentricity #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLkk4ZFB2N01Idl9n How Loyalty Programs Drive Customer Value, Relationships, and Business Growth September 9, 2025 9:00 am 8:42 ABOUT THE EPISODE Patrick Harker, former Philadelphia Federal Reserve President and Wharton School Dean, and current Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions and Director of Academic Engagement at Penn Washington, covers key takeaways from the Jackson Hole symposium, rate cut forecasts, views on federal independence, and what economic issues Americans should be keeping their eyes on. ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://whr.tn/3EdpB5X Subscribe on Spotify: https://whr.tn/4ihHaiT Watch/listen on the Knowledge at Wharton website: https://whr.tn/twib #jacksonhole #federalreserve #economicpolicy ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLlN5TnBmNXNwV2xn Stagflation Fears, Rate Cuts, and Fed Independence Explained September 5, 2025 9:01 am 0:52 The Wharton School Professor Barbara Kahn explains how Walmart's omnichannel expertise, augmented by their customer data usage and analysis, has helped the retail giant survive amidst major industry changes. EPISODE OVERVIEW Barbara Kahn, Wharton marketing professor, examines the shifts transforming retail. She explains how omnichannel strategies redefine shopping, why product differentiation has flattened, and how customer experience is becoming the key competitive factor. The conversation covers the impact of generative AI on decision-making, growing price sensitivity, Amazon Prime Day’s influence on seasonal shopping, and the continued role of physical stores as spaces for efficiency, interaction, and experience. PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney. Learn more at http://whr.tn/rippleeffect. #RetailTrends #FutureOfRetail #CustomerExperience #Omnichannel #Walmart #RetailInnovation ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal. Launched in 1999, Knowledge at Wharton offers free access to: - Articles, podcasts, and videos highlighting Wharton faculty research and analysis of current business trends - Interviews with book authors from Wharton School Press - In-depth series of curated content like Wharton Executive Education’s Nano Tools for Leaders - A searchable database of more than 10,000 articles covering all aspects of business - A weekly newsletter that delivers Knowledge at Wharton insights directly to your inbox Visit the Knowledge at Wharton homepage: https://whr.tn/3qUpSBE Subscribe to the Knowledge at Wharton YouTube channel: https://whr.tn/3DEAgAU YouTube Video VVVJZjZ0M2dwS3JfRDQ2eHVXbGo5VUFRLk9JaEh4STZYZXRr Walmart is maintaining its edge through omnichannel and big data analysis September 3, 2025 9:00 am Wharton Faculty in the News Featured AIUnderstanding AI’s Impact on Productivity, GDP, and Federal DebtSeptember 19, 2025 • 11 min listenFinance & AccountingA Transformational Gift for Quantitative Finance at WhartonSeptember 15, 2025 • 6 min readTechnologyReframing the E-Commerce Antitrust DebateSeptember 9, 2025 • 8 min readRetailRethinking Retail | Barbara KahnSeptember 2, 2025 • 18 min listen Buy the Book Apply Now Buy the Book