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Greetings N2K reader!

Choose a winner for this week’s world famous News Haiku™ competition in today’s poll! Now for something completely different.

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

News You Need2Know

• Skims stretches to new heights with $5 billion val …

• Starbucks baristas strike on Red Cup Day

• Uber hits the slopes with ‘Uber Ski’

• Spotify now unwraps your listening habits every we …

• Are IMAX movies worth the inflated ticket price?

• Poll of the day: Haiku of the week

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

$SPX ( ▼ 1.66% ) $DJI ( ▼ 1.65% ) $NDX ( ▼ 2.29% )

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$SKIMS ( 0.0% )  $SBUX ( ▼ 0.94% )  $UBER ( ▼ 1.91% )  $SPOT ( ▼ 0.39% )  $IMAX ( ▼ 2.31% )  

Skims stretches to new heights with $5 billion valuation

Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and apparel brand, Skims $SKIMS ( 0.0% ) , continues to redefine celebrity entrepreneurship with its latest funding milestone. On Wednesday, the company announced it had raised $225 million in fresh capital, pushing its valuation to an impressive $5 billion. Founded by Kardashian and Jens Grede in 2019, Skims has rapidly grown by leveraging Kardashian’s global celebrity status and savvy branding.

Skims has ambitious plans for the capital, including expanding its product offerings into activewear, growing its retail presence, and continuing its international expansion. The company is projected to exceed $1 billion in net sales in 2025. The brand’s success underscores Kardashian’s ability to align products across beauty, lifestyle, and apparel.

Song of the day: Vincent Mason, ‘Damned If I Do’

This 25-year-old country singer has written a song about being a “damn mess.” It’s cute. This poor lad is literally incapable of being a mess, but I hope he covers his own song in 40 years, once his music career has ruined his life. Enjoy.

Starbucks baristas strike on Red Cup Day

Over 1,000 unionized Starbucks employees launched a strike at 65 stores across the U.S. during Starbucks’ busy Red Cup Day, aiming to highlight the growing tension between workers and the coffee giant. The strike was organized by Starbucks Workers United, which reported store closures in cities like New York, Seattle, and Dallas. Workers are demanding higher pay, better hours, and action on stalled union contract negotiations.

Dochi Spoltore, a Pittsburgh barista, voiced frustration over limited hours. “It’s hard for workers to be assigned more than 19 hours per week,” Spoltore said, noting that less than 20 hours makes employees ineligible for Starbucks' benefits. “We’re proud of our work, but we’re tired of being treated like we’re disposable.” Workers also allege unfair labor practices, including retaliatory firings and policy changes imposed without bargaining.

Starbucks defended its benefits package, claiming it offers industry-leading perks, such as an average $30 per hour value in wages and benefits, paid family leave, and tuition coverage. Sara Kelly, Starbucks’ Chief Partner Officer, said the union has walked away from negotiations, adding, “Starbucks remains ready to talk and believes we can move quickly to a reasonable deal.”

I went to my local coffee shop instead. It was sublime. They also have a food pantry out the front in case you need some food, with a sign saying “take what you need.”

Quote of the Day

Uber hits the slopes with ‘Uber Ski’

Uber $UBER ( ▼ 1.91% ) is hitting the slopes this winter with its newly announced Uber Ski service, allowing users to book rides to and from nearly 40 ski resorts across the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, and France.

Available through March, this offering is part of Uber’s latest push to streamline winter travel while catering to skiers and snowboarders. Riders can book larger vehicles, including UberXL and UberXXL, up to 90 days in advance to accommodate bulky equipment.

In partnership with Vail Resorts, users will also be able to book rides directly to mountain destinations and purchase an “Epic Pass” via the Uber app. “Our new features will help people spend less time stressing about logistics and more time enjoying the moments that matter during the festive months,” said Pradeep Parameswaran, Uber’s global head of mobility.

Parameswaran neglected to mention that the new product will also make a whole ton of cashola for Uber. But I think that might also be the goal?

Uber is also launching Uber Share at three major airports — John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Orlando International Airport — offering up to 25% savings for riders traveling in the same direction. Additionally, its Send a Ride feature allows users to cover ride expenses for others with personalized voucher links. I’ll take one of those, thank you.

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👎️ 

No.

Spotify now unwraps your listening habits every week

You know how your most annoying friends post their Spotify $SPOT ( ▼ 0.39% ) Wrapped on instagram once a year?

Oh wow, Craig. Who’d have guessed you like The Cure?

The great news is that Craig is about to get an excuse to start doing that once a week.

Spotify fans no longer have to wait for the year-end Spotify Wrapped to see their listening trends, thanks to Spotify’s newly released “weekly stats” feature. While Wrapped remains one of the most anticipated traditions for users worldwide, this new tool provides a chance for music lovers to access a constant stream of listening insights throughout the year.

“Available to Free and Premium users in more than 60 markets worldwide, this new feature shows your top artists and songs from the past four weeks, and it serves up playlists inspired by what you love or tracks you might want to queue up next,” Spotify announced. Weekly summaries also highlight “milestones, new discoveries, and moments unique to each listener’s habits.”

Fans can find their personalized stats by navigating to the top left profile icon on the app and selecting the new "Listening stats" option. Alongside stats, users are treated to shareable updates for social media, artist suggestions tailored to their taste, and popular playlists.

For those eagerly awaiting the festive Spotify Wrapped experience, it’s expected to drop in early December. Until then, this weekly option brings music enthusiasts closer to their favorite tunes in real-time, bridging the gap between immersive listening and playful self-reflection. Here’s Craig’s, I mean, mine…

Are IMAX movies worth the inflated ticket price?

This is the latest in a weekly series of guest columns on the business of movies by Grant Keller.

“Premium Large Format” cinema has become an integral part of the film industry with blockbusters depending on screenings in formats like IMAX, Dolby, and 4DX to draw people out to the theater for the biggest, loudest, and craziest moviegoing experiences they’ve ever had. It’s not a new idea — indeed, a recent resurgence in the film camera used to create 1954’s “VistaVision,” used by filmmakers such as Cecil B. DeMille (“The Ten Commandments”), John Ford (“The Searchers”) and Alfred Hitchcock (“Vertigo”) is a testament to the value of using gimmicky cameras and film formats to get butts into cinema seats. Remember 3-D glasses?!

I’m here to break down these new formats and tell you if they are worth the $30 ticket price…

Poll of the day: Haiku of the week

We asked you to write a haiku about the news that Peloton has recalled almost a million bikes because the seat posts have broken, hurting people’s butts. You did not disappoint. Pick a winner!

Poll of the day: Half a century of debt…

We asked: Would you trust an AI lawyer to mediate your claim?

You answered:

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ What's the difference? (59)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Sure, it's no more conscientious than a human lawyer. (155)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm a lawyer. You think this is funny, punk?!? (16)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Absolutely not. (356) 

586 Votesvia @beehiiv polls

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