Renters are gaining leverage over landlords as the rental market shifts in their favor. Apartment units are staying vacant longer, vacancy rates are on the rise, and rental price growth is slowing. As a result, landlords are increasingly offering incentives like free parking or discounted rent to attract tenants.

In July, 33.2% of rental listings on Zillow included concessions, steady from June but significantly higher than the 25.4% seen a year ago and the recent low of 19.4% two years prior, according to Zillow. “Landlords are basically in a race to get tenants, so they’re throwing in a bunch of deals and perks to sweeten the pot,” said Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow.

These incentives are particularly prevalent in six major metro areas where over half of Zillow’s listings offered sweeteners: Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Nashville, and Austin. Charlotte saw the most significant increase, with incentive offerings rising by nearly 16 percentage points.

Despite these concessions, housing costs remain a significant concern, with shelter prices accounting for almost 90% of July’s consumer price increase. While apartment rents have risen 5.1% over the past two years, this is a marked improvement from the 22.3% surge in the previous two years.

The shift in power is partly due to a building boom, with June seeing the highest increase in multifamily units since 1973. This surge in supply has made it harder for landlords to fill units, with the vacancy rate at 6.6%, the highest since winter 2021.

Mars, the family-owned candy giant known for brands like M&M’s and Snickers, announced its acquisition of Cheez-It and Pringles maker Kellanova in a deal valued at nearly $36 billion. This marks the largest buyout in the packaged food industry to date.

Mars will pay $83.50 per share in an all-cash transaction, representing a 33% premium over Kellanova’s closing price on August 2, just before news of the potential deal broke. Following the announcement, Kellanova’s shares rose about 8% to $80.45, valuing the company at $28.58 billion on an equity basis.

This strategic acquisition comes at a time when sales growth in the U.S. packaged food sector is slowing, with budget-conscious consumers opting for cheaper, private-label products over more expensive branded items. The deal surpasses Mars’ previous $23 billion takeover of Wrigley in 2008 and will consolidate popular consumer brands under one roof. Mars’ portfolio includes Twix, Bounty, and Milky Way, while Kellanova’s offerings feature well-known snacks like Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, and Eggo waffles.

Legal experts suggest that the acquisition is unlikely to face significant antitrust challenges due to the minimal overlap between the two companies’ product lines. Upon completion of the deal, expected in the first half of 2025, Kellanova will be integrated into Mars Snacking, led by Global President Andrew Clarke and based in Chicago.

Chuck E. Cheese has rolled out a new subscription program that is nearly half the cost of a standard Netflix plan. At just $7.99 a month, the entertainment chain is now offering a family membership which allows customers to enjoy a set number of games daily, along with discounts on food, depending on the chosen tier.

The company hopes this initiative will attract budget-conscious families who are cutting back on discretionary spending. Mark Kupferman, Chuck E. Cheese’s executive vice president, stated that the goal was to provide an affordable and enjoyable entertainment option amid financial pressures on households.

The program was tested in select locations across the U.S. and Canada. It received strong demand, selling 350,000 passes. Families can choose from three subscription tiers: $7.99 for 40 games per visit with a 20% food discount; $11.99 for 100 games and a 30% discount; and $29.99 for 250 games with a 50% discount.

While the membership requires a one-year commitment, shorter two-month passes are available at a higher rate, suitable for summer breaks. This move aligns with a broader trend among chains like Sweetgreen and P.F. Chang’s, which are leveraging subscriptions to boost customer loyalty and ensure steady revenue.

Despite the potential benefits, analysts warn that convincing consumers to add another subscription might be challenging, especially in the current economic climate.

Starbucks is rolling out new initiatives to attract customers, including a value menu aimed at providing more affordable options. Despite a 3% global sales decline and a 2% drop in North America, Starbucks is taking significant steps to address consumer fatigue with high prices.

Starbucks has shifted from a predominantly sit-down coffee shop to a drive-thru and mobile takeout chain, adapting to changes in consumer behavior.

The new “Pairings Menu,” offering a drink and a breakfast item for $5 or $6, has shown promising results. The menu has boosted multi-item orders, indicating that customers appreciate the new value options. Additionally, the Siren System, designed to expedite the preparation of cold drinks, features faster blenders and new dispensers for ingredients like milk and ice.

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan expressed optimism about the company’s direction. “Our plans are beginning to work,” he said. “We are recovering our brand and rebuilding the operational foundation of our stores and supply chain.”

While Starbucks faces competition from rival drive-thru coffee chains and a growing number of consumers making coffee at home, the company’s innovative strategies aim to enhance customer experience and value. Shares of Starbucks have dropped 19% this year, but rose more than 2% in after-hours trading following the announcement of these initiatives.

Starbucks’ commitment to adapting its business model and offering value to customers demonstrates its dedication to maintaining its position in the market and meeting the evolving needs of its patrons.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics garnered an impressive 28.6 million U.S. viewers across NBC and Peacock, marking the most-watched summer Games start since London 2012. This viewership surge represents a significant increase over the 17 million viewers who tuned in for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

NBCUniversal, which paid $7.65 billion for exclusive broadcasting to the Olympics in the US through 2032, saw this as a crucial turn of events. The ceremony, featuring athletes floating down the Seine and a performance by Celine Dion, drew substantial audience interest.

While time zone differences and COVID-19 may have dampened the excitement surrounding the Tokyo and Beijing games, NBCUniversal incorporated celebrity appearances, including Beyoncé introducing Team USA, to encourage viewing.

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, set new records with over 2.5 million viewers for the ceremony, making it the most-streamed opening ceremony to date and the platform’s biggest entertainment event ever.