Francisco Velasquez

New York

Retail reporter @qz • @newmarkjschool @uwmadison alum •

Articles

Warren Buffet's market wisdom when stocks fall is all in this 19th century poem

2 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryAMZN-1.68%AAPL-5.00%TSLA-9.47%BRK.A-5.41%This week, President Donald Trump’s new tariffs sent shockwaves through the stock market, triggering a sharp sell-off as investors reacted to escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Suggested ReadingHow Trump’s tariffs could make your iPhone cost $3,500Suggested ReadingThe Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1,400 points, marking one of its steepest declines in years.
Walmart could face price hikes from its suppliers, raising concerns over price gouging for consumers

2 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryWMT-0.59%COST-0.74%TGT-0.48%NYT-1.44%Even Walmart isn’t safe from President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as new costs from suppliers could lead to higher prices for consumers. Suggested ReadingHow Trump’s tariffs could make your iPhone cost $3,500Suggested ReadingThe retail giant will soon face price hikes from its own suppliers, raising concerns that consumers might get hit with unfair price gouging.
America's wealthiest shoppers are driving more spending than they have in decades

3 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryThe weight of inflation and rising costs are weighing on many Americans, but not all. For the wealthiest households, rising prices are hardly a deterrent; in fact, they’re fueling a spending spree, for now. Suggested ReadingDraftKings CEO on March Madness, AI, and the future of sports gamblingSuggested ReadingAccording to Moody’s Analytics, Americans earning $250,000 or more annually — the top 10% of earners — now account for nearly 50% of all U.S. spending, the highest since 1989.
Subway's new footlong for the inflation era is mostly just Doritos

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Francisco Velasquez

Subway is getting into nachos – but not just any kind. The sandwich chain says it’s now offering a footlong trough of $5 Doritos nachos, in hopes of boosting sales by wooing inflation-weary consumers. The debut comes as core inflation hits 2.8%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. The limited-time offering features Nacho Cheese chips topped with shredded Monterey cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and red onions.
Walmart, Best Buy, and other retail giants plummet as Trump tariffs bite

3 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryWMT-1.08%BBY-16.00%DG+1.65%DLTR-10.55%TGT-10.84%Walmart, Best Buy, and other major retailers are already feeling the impact of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which are set to take effect April 9. The initial 10% tariff will kick in this Saturday, April 5.
RFK Jr. has less control over food than he thought. Here's why

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Francisco Velasquez

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s crusade to improve America’s food system is being stifled by a major roadblock: The fragmented regulatory system. In the U.S., food regulation is spilt between multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agencies are responsible for different products, but share overlapping responsibilities.
Amazon wants to buy TikTok has Trump’s deadline looms

3 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

Good morning, Quartz readers!Here’s what you need to knowAmazon has its eyes on TikTok. The tech giant is exploring a potential purchase as a crucial deadline draws near. Suggested ReadingDraftKings CEO on March Madness, AI, and the future of sports gamblingSuggested ReadingTesla posted its weakest quarterly sales in years. The automaker failed to meet Wall Street’s already low expectations. … But it’s not all bad news for Tesla.
Walmart's CEO on what store managers making $600,000 does for business

3 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryWMT+0.92%COST+0.70%TGT+1.21%Walmart’s big pay bump for its store managers is paying off, according to U.S. CEO John Furner. Suggested ReadingDraftKings CEO on March Madness, AI, and the future of sports gamblingSuggested ReadingSpeaking at the National Retail Federation (NRF) State of Retail & the Consumer 2025, Furner highlighted the company’s efforts to boost engagement and performance across its management ranks.
Chipotle is giving away free burritos for a year. Here's how to win

3 weeks ago | qz.com | Francisco Velasquez

In This StoryChipotle is giving away free burritos for a year — all customers have to do is crack the code. Suggested ReadingCostco's Kirkland brand became a massive financial success. Here's howSuggested ReadingThe quick-service restaurant is running its “Burrito Vault Game,” with codes released every hour. The game ends Wednesday, April 2. To play, members must guess the exact combination of ingredients in a burrito order. The first 2,500 players each hour will win a buy-one-get-one free entree.
Chipotle is giving away free burritos for a year. Here's how to win

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Francisco Velasquez

Chipotle is giving away free burritos for a year — all customers have to do is crack the code. The quick-service restaurant is running its “Burrito Vault Game,” with codes released every hour. The game ends Wednesday, April 2. To play, members must guess the exact combination of ingredients in a burrito order. The first 2,500 players each hour will win a buy-one-get-one free entree. The first person to crack the code each hour will win free burritos for a whole year.