Imitating a plan from a 1950s, one recycling company is working to trash disposable containers. A new subscription service delivers household goods in reusable containers. Then it’s collect, wash, refill, repeat—not too unlike the milkman service of the past. Read More

Smartphone sales have slowed. With no new exciting innovations, is the smartphone industry past its prime?

Cashier-less stores are coming. But will saying “goodbye” to checkout lines also signal privacy problems?

A strong US job market has two of the world’s largest retailers fighting for consumer cash.

Tamales, sunglasses, tools. The streets of Los Angeles swarm with pushcarts and sidewalk tables brimming with trinkets and foodstuffs. In December, lawmakers voted to sell permits to the city’s street vendors—officially legalizing an already thriving industry. Read More

Ancient pottery. Pet ashes. A rare painting. Used dentures. Thrift shops around the globe are chock full of valuable items . . . and a lot of junk. This fall, what showed up in one U.S. Goodwill store made headlines. Read More

Glass, aluminum, cardboard—where does it all go? The answer isn’t clear. The global market for recyclables is crashing. Now communities must choose whether they’ll continue recycling—or send bottles, cans, and plastics to the landfill instead. Read More

Among “social” media, Pinterest is different. Instagram users view others’ dream vacations that they’ll never go on. Facebookers observe holiday parties or eavesdrop as friends debate politics. But a Pinterest user can relax on the couch and plan a remodel or special event—totally solo. Read More

Sometimes, the raw material of Ali Ghomari’s work comes screaming from the skies over Yemen. For nearly four years, Yemen has been under fire from a coalition of Iranian and Saudi-backed Muslim groups. Missiles fired by coalition jets rain down on militia and civilians alike. Read More

Want a predictable room in a central location? A hotel is the way to stay. But travelers desiring something special probably look and book elsewhere. The growing popularity of online home-sharing services like Airbnb, Onefinestay, and HomeAway has hotel chains scrambling. Read More