Umm, have you also been busy shopping? Insider said, “US retail sales grew 2.5% year-over-year (YoY) on Black Friday, with in-store sales increasing 1.1%.” Overall, Black Friday impressed retailers and seemed to have exceeded expectations. The WSJ reported that foot traffic rose 2.1%. But it’s still uncertain if retail foot traffic will continue throughout the holiday season, and it seems the National Retail Federation is also waiting to see. Why? Rising inflation is one reason, and with “consumer goods — excluding food and fuel —  rising at an annual rate of around 4 percent,” the jury is still out! 

Other Retail Things in The News

eBay opened its own pop-up store called the “Pre-Loved Pop-Up” in Berlin to encourage folks to buy sustainably this holiday season. The pop-up was around from Dec 1 - 3!

The monthly Bushwick market ParkMart was featured in i-D magazine and is “bringing together up-and-coming artists from around the city, highlighting New York's underground DIY makers.” ParkMart is free for all makers as long as there is no reselling AKA no vintage. If you want to know why no vintage or attend ParkMart, read the article and check out their Instagram. 

There are many open jobs at small retailers, reports the WSJ and this “solid demand for workers from small establishments, such as mom-and-pop businesses and many franchise locations, stands in contrast to a cooling labor market more broadly.” Why is this important? Less hiring competition from big companies and small businesses can “offer refuge for job seekers as the unemployment rate creeps higher.”

Shopper Chronicles: Edy Massih of Edy’s Grocer

This week we interviewed Edy Massih of Edy’s Grocery. Edy opened his store during COVID when he was 25 years old! Fast-forward three years later, Edy’s Grocer is a staple in Greenpoint, the go-to spot for Lebanese food, and the place to buy items to elevate your pantry! Come May time, it will also be the spot to go meet an author. Yes, Edy Massih will be publishing his cookbook Keep It Zesty on May 21st, and we will be buying it. But you don’t have to wait until May to try Edy’s food, walk in anytime or get a ticket for their Mezze Bar pop-up series (tickets sell out fast, move quickly).

Three Things Edy is Loving:

1) I'm laughing at this girl who gave us a four-star review and said everything was delicious, but it was too expensive. She bought a sandwich and salad for $15! Where else are you going to find something as delicious and fresh as this for less than $15 anywhere in New York?! Give me a break! I laughed so hard at that. People don’t understand what it takes to run a business. It blows my mind. 

2) Greenpoint. I mean, it's crazy what’s happening in Greenpoint. We're getting every hot restaurant alive up in here. We just got MáLà Project , a new restaurant called Breeze, Rays, and L’Appartement 4F. I also heard Fish Cheeks and Caffe Panna are opening up over here!

3) I am obsessed with this Chili Crisp Oat Recipe from my friend’s cookbook Chili Crisp. I make it like five times a week.

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