BUSINESS

Oil prices fell sharply Monday after President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had “very good and productive conversations” in the past two days.

When it comes to skin routines, I am one of those people who doesn’t easily switch cosmetic brands. I have very sensitive, dry skin, so I don’t like experimenting. However, as with many other consumers, price and availability play a key role in my beauty habits. That’s why I have “backup” brands I turn to when needed. Industry data suggest that 40% of consumers will do the same and choose another brand when their brand of choice is unavailable at their usual store, according to 2023 data by Aytm: Secrets of Skincare & Brand Switching.The same report indicates that more than 60% of shoppers are at least somewhat likely to switch brands, motivated by price, variety, personal needs, and preferences. This is just one of several challenges both direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and beauty retailers have faced over the last few years.Key cosmetic industry challenges: Market saturation: 54% of beauty executives identify “uncertain consumer spending” and market saturation as the greatest risks to growth in 2026, according to THG Commerce’s 2026 Beauty Report. Customer behavior shift:  Consumers are moving away from trends and are increasingly looking for “clinical confidence,” according to Euromonitor: Top Trends 2025/2026. Trend lifespan:  The average lifespan of a viral beauty trend on social media has shrunk to just 3 to 4 weeks, making it hard for traditional brands to keep up, reveals THG Commerce’s 2026 Beauty Report. The latest beauty brand that has to change its operating model as it faces some of these challenges is Glossier. Glossier to close nine out of 12 stores and trim its product portfolio Beauty brand Glossier recently confirmed it will close nine of its 12 stores over the next two-and-a-half years, leaving just three flagships in New York, Los Angeles, and London.  Colin Walsh, the company’s chief executive since October 2025, confirmed the new strategy to The Business of Fashion, explaining that he is looking to start over. Over the last few years, the company struggled with changes in customer behavior. Its golden era was under founder Emily Weiss, when the brand provided exactly what Millennials wanted. Then Gen Z changed the demands, and Weiss withdrew from her position in 2022. When Kyle Leahy took over, she tried to transform the company, teaming up with Sephora for shelf space and expanding into new beauty products. While results were mixed, with Glossier having success with scents such as You Doux, it was always running behind competition such as Rhode (Hailey Bieber’s brand) and Merit, according to the Business of Fashion. Now Walsh, former CEO of prestige hair brand Ouai, Procter & Gamble’s specialty beauty arm, aims to make a more radical change, starting with store closures and trimming Glossier’s product catalog. 

Glossier will close nine out of 12 stores and trim its product portfolio.bluestork/Shutterstock.com

Why Glossier is closing stores: the “playgrounds” transformation The goal behind Walsh’s new strategy is to return the company to its original positioning and provide quality over quantity. Walsh told the outlet that the closures and other changes are needed to concentrate on a “true expression of where this brand has been and where it needs to go.” The CEO explained that the majority of Glossier locations were more of a headache than a benefit. He decided it would be better to let big retailers like Sephora and Space NK handle Glossier’s sales. “We can get caught being operationally heavy with 12 locations … leases, managing all the infrastructure distracts you,” Walsh said. The remaining three stores are set to be transformed into what Walsh calls “playgrounds” that would host events, offer programming, and provide a space to test new ideas. These stores — one in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, the other on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, and the third in Covent Garden in London — were chosen to remain as they drive 55% of store revenue and 60% of new customers. “You can expect more surprising programming and innovative experiential moments in our flagship stores that are always rooted in our community-driven storytelling, which is at the core of our brand,” a Glossier spokesperson told Fast Company. Why is Glossier trimming its product lineup? Glossier launched in October 2014 with only four items. “Over the past four years running Into The Gloss, I saw the need for a beauty brand that speaks to its consumers directly, offering them a chance to engage beyond the traditional touch points of purchase, use and mass marketing. That’s what we’ve created with Glossier—a beauty brand that we want to be friends with,” then-CEO Weiss stated at the time. More Retail:Walmart closes stores for weeks to test new perks for shoppersTarget launches another generous deal to win back shoppers’ trust91-year-old grocery chain closes another store in a key market Over the years it grew its businesses, but also shifted away from its original concept. By 2023, the brand started releasing products almost on a monthly basis. The company entered the race started by its competition, pivoting from its initial track. And while some of its new products, such as the extension of the You fragrance, were successful, “many felt incongruent with the Glossier ethos,” points out Priya Rao, executive editor at The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion. “We became a product company across a lot of categories, versus this curated brand focused deeply on their customers’ needs in life,” Walsh said.Now, Walsh plans to focus on the brand’s core products, such as Cloud Paint blush and Boy Brow eyebrow gel. However, it will start by doubling down on fragrances, as the company has seen double-digit growth in this sector. “More spotlight will be shone on the brand’s hero products, as seen with its Glossier You fragrance and “You Smell Good” campaign that launched last month,” a Glossier spokesperson told Fast Company. Glossier is not alone in its struggles Glossier is not the only DTC brand or traditional beauty retailer to deal with industry challenges. Over the last few years, many DTC brands born on the internet began opening physical stores, only to find out that rising rent, harsh competition, and economic headwinds are making it nearly impossible to remain profitable. For example, earlier this year, Pat McGrath Labs, the legendary DTC brand founded by makeup artist Pat McGrath, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reporting assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million, according to prior reporting by TheStreet. Another example is Gwen Stefani’s DTC brand GXVE Beauty. It quietly went dark, taking its website offline and exiting retail partnerships, reported TheStreet’s Fernanda Tronco. Beauty brand closures & bankruptcies (2024-2026):The Body Shop US: In 2024, The Body Shop US closed all U.S. stores following a sudden Chapter 7 liquidation, according toRetail TouchPoints. Forma Brands/Morphe: In 2024, it filed for Chapter 11 and shuttered all standalone U.S. stores to pivot toward wholesale and international markets, reported Financier Worldwide.Cover FX & Mally Beauty: Parent company AS Beauty Group permanently closed both labels due to global trade challenges, according to previous reporting by TheStreet.Good Light Cosmetics: The gender-inclusive K-beauty brand confirmed a total closure set for April 2026 due to high competition, according to The Fashion Law.Flower Beauty: In September 2025, Drew Barrymore’s mass-market cosmetics line shuttered permanently after a 13-year retail run, reported Beauty Independent. Glossier consumers react to closures and strategy shift On platforms like Reddit, early reaction to Glossier’s decision to close most of its stores has been mixed. While some users expressed disappointment over the loss of physical locations, others said the move was “not surprising,” pointing to what they see as a gradual shift away from the brand’s original identity.Some users pointed out years of changes in product strategy, pricing, and brand direction. “As to the products, I think they actually have too many but not good enough. The first products they had, like haloscope, gen G, brow boy, stretch concealer, milky jelly were unique at the time in terms of formula and effect. They no longer have products that would feel unique and had a strong style,” wrote user konstantynopolitanka. The discussion reflects broader concerns that Glossier has lost its differentiation in an increasingly saturated market, something the new CEO also confirmed. And while many users expressed disappointment over the closings, some are hopeful that this is actually the right move for the company.Related: Walmart quietly changes how it prices items

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TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealYou don’t need a full stereo system to get high-quality sound. Portable speakers have come a long way. Not only are they impressive for their compact size, but their wireless and Bluetooth capabilities let you listen to music on the go. Consider them a win all around. And there’s no better time to shop for one than at the start of spring, so you can use it while you do some spring cleaning or garden prep.The Cascho Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is a “fantastic” choice, according to shoppers, and it’s on sale at Walmart right now for a whopping 71% off during a Flash deal. With an original price of $70, the price has been slashed down to just $20.Cascho Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, $20 (was $70) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartDetails to knowThis speaker is small yet powerful. With three modes — bass, popular, and vocal — you can enhance different parts of your listening experience. Thanks to its Bluetooth capabilities, it can easily connect to your devices with a range of up to 100 feet. Best of all, it has a long, 30-hour battery life that lasts for days, which is a major plus according to reviewers. And when it’s time to recharge, it only takes two hours to get a full battery.In addition to having amazing sound quality, it’s also durable and waterproof. It has an IPX7 rating, meaning it can safely be immersed in up to 3.8 feet of water for 30 minutes, as well as handle a splash by the pool, a spill of a drink, or some drips from the shower. It can also handle drops from heights up to 3 meters with two rubber rings at both ends that keep it safe and sound.As a fun bonus, it has RGB lighting with up to 20 color variations, four lighting modes, and 80 party light options. Related: Amazon is selling noise-canceling earbuds for $21Why do shoppers love it? With more than 1,400 five-star ratings, the Bluetooth speaker has received tons of praise from shoppers. Reviewers have noted that it’s a “must-have,” “beautiful, high-quality speaker” that “delivers clear, crisp audio.”As a portable speaker, reviewers are taking full advantage of it and how durable it is. One shopper said that it’s perfect for bike rides. “It fits perfectly in my water bottle holder, so I don’t have to wear earbuds while I’m riding. Super easy to operate and has a great sound quality. Also, it’s waterproof, so just in case I get caught out in the rain while riding, I won’t have to worry about it.”Waterproof, eye-catching design, and great sound? The Cascho Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker checks off all the boxes. And with a Flash deal price of only $20, you’re going to want to add it to your cart ASAP. 

Presented by Tulsa Innovation LabsAs the global energy system evolves, companies are racing to adopt technologies that can deliver real-world solutions, especially in hard-to-abate industries. Oklahoma, long known as the oil capital of the world, is a center for energy innovation, with Rose Rock Bridge at the forefront.A non-profit based in Tulsa, Rose Rock Bridge is a pilot deployment studio that connects early-stage energy startups with corporate energy partners, non-dilutive funding, and pilot opportunities that accelerate commercialization. Now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 cohort through April 6, it is seeking early- and growth-stage startups developing practical, scalable solutions to today’s most pressing energy challenges. Rose Rock Bridge gives startups access to real-world commercial workflows and pilot opportunities through energy partners with more than $150 billion in market capitalization, including Devon Energy, H&P, ONEOK, and Williams. Backed by one of the strongest coalitions of strategic partners and investors of any energy-focused accelerator, incubator, or venture studio, the program enables startups to move quickly from development to real-world testing and deployment.Here’s how it works:Discover opportunities for energy innovationRose Rock Bridge starts by working directly with corporate innovation teams to identify high priority technology solutions for their businesses, pinpointing which solutions will carry the most impact. Focus areas are formed around these findings.“We don’t just chase the latest tech and hope to find a use for it. Our process starts at the asset level — identifying the specific operational bottlenecks and unmet requirements our partners are actually facing,” says Nishant Agarwal, Innovation Manager. “By leveraging our background in CVC and engineering, we run technical deep dives alongside partner subject matter experts to define the requirement first. We then source technologies as a direct response to those needs. This ensures we aren’t just presenting ‘interesting research,’ but delivering solutions with a validated deployment pathway and a clear line of sight to a business case.”Tapping into its network of 40+ universities, 10+ energy incubators, and Fortune 500 companies, Rose Rock Bridge then determines emerging opportunities in the energy ecosystem. Rather than just selecting companies or ideas that might bring in capital, the studio chooses startups that have real potential to commercialize quickly in order to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges.This year’s focus areas include: Operational Agility & IntegrationReservoir & Production EnhancementFluid SystemsRobotics”We’re evaluating deployment probability from day one,” says Andrada Pantelimon, Innovation Associate at Rose Rock Bridge, who manages sourcing strategy and startup operations. “Can this technology deliver a measurable bottom-line impact? Can it realistically pilot within 12 months? Is your team equipped to commercialize? Show us you’ve quantified your value proposition in operator terms and understand which business unit within a corporation might own this solution. If you can articulate those pieces clearly, you’re the kind of startup we want to support.”Derisk technologies for early-stage startups & energy companiesThe benefit is tangible for leading energy corporations seeking proven solutions to complex operational challenges. Rose Rock Bridge provides its corporate partners with validated, field-tested technologies while significantly reducing deployment risk. At the program’s conclusion, partners gain direct access to emerging innovations that have already undergone technical validation and operational feasibility assessment, with identified procurement pathways and pilot plans designed for commercial deployment. Each cohort cycle, up to 15 startups are selected to enter a six-week virtual accelerator focused on pilot deployment. Founders participate in reverse pitch sessions with oil and gas partners, one-on-one clinics with industry and capital mentors, and hands-on commercialization workshops. Founders have the unique opportunity to refine their solutions, assess pilot feasibility, and build industry relationships. This approach derisks adoption and investments through iterative customer feedback, in-field testing, and pilots, enabling breakthrough technologies to reach commercial viability quickly and effectively.”Our curriculum is singularly focused on preparing startups for the realities of corporate partnerships.,” says Devon Fanfair, Rose Rock Bridge Manager and former Techstars Managing Director who is scaling the RRB program. “Founders aren’t just learning, they’re actively testing their assumptions with the exact customers who might deploy their technology. That rapid feedback loop is what transforms promising technologies into deployment-ready solutions with clear commercial pathways.”At the culmination of the accelerator, teams participate in the Rose Rock Bridge showcase with the unique opportunity to pitch their startup to the energy corporate partners they’ve worked alongside for the past six weeks. Four startups are selected to receive up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding and opportunities for business support services, joining a one-year cohort designed to prepare technologies for market adoption. “Rose Rock Bridge is a cornerstone of Tulsa Innovation Labs’ strategy to showcase our region as a national hub for energy innovation,” added Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs. “By linking emerging technologies with some of the nation’s largest energy leaders, we help move innovation from concept to market faster, drawing new businesses to the region, enhancing our existing businesses, and reinforcing Tulsa’s role in the global energy economy.”Deploy viable energy solutionsOnce selected to become members of Rose Rock Bridge, startups then pilot their technology with relevant energy partners and grow their venture in Tulsa. Support includes pilot design, execution, and go-to-market strategy, connections to follow-on investment opportunities, subsidized access to services including legal, marketing, PR, and support establishing a Tulsa presence for partner access.Rose Rock Bridge’s success is measured not just in pilot deployments, but in lasting commercial relationships. Multiple portfolio companies have progressed from initial field tests to multi-year contracts with Fortune 500 operators. By derisking the path from proof-of-concept to procurement, RRB has helped establish procurement pathways that might otherwise take years to develop, if they materialize at all.Launched in 2022 with support from Tulsa Innovation Labs, the studio has helped companies advance new technologies, secure patents, launch products, and attract capital. It has derisked 33 startups, supported 16 active or in-development pilots, and invested more than $2 million in early-stage companies, generating a combined portfolio valuation of over $55 million. Examples of the studio’s success include Safety Radar, an AI-powered risk management platform, which secured its first contract with a Rose Rock Bridge partner, expanded to additional energy and aerospace clients, raised over $2 million, and established a Tulsa office. Kinitics Automation, a Canadian company, successfully piloted with one partner, resulting in deployments across multiple sites, effectively using RRB as their gateway to the U.S. market.Backed by corporate partners with more than $150 billion in combined market capitalization, Rose Rock Bridge reflects both the scale of the opportunity and Tulsa’s rising influence in energy innovation.Devon Fanfair is Manager of Rose Rock Bridge.Sponsored articles are content produced by a company that is either paying for the post or has a business relationship with VentureBeat, and they’re always clearly marked. For more information, contact sales@venturebeat.com.

The Dow was up about 1,000 points, or 2.2%, early Monday after President Trump gave markets a reason to hope for a de-escalation of the Iran conflict.

Gold’s steep pullback of late looks like a warning sign, but the broader picture hasn’t changed much.In fact, according to Saxo Bank’s head of commodity strategy, Ole Hansen, a massive long-term tailwind is hiding in plain sight, linked to the ballooning U.S. national debt.Of late, we’ve seen the shiny yellow metal under pressure from rising Treasury yields, which are impacting rate-cut expectations. That ongoing pressure intensified after the Fed left rates unchanged on March 18, 2026, reinforcing the higher-for-longer rate-market view. Consequently, as per The Wall Street Journal, gold logged its largest one-week dollar decline since 1975. As per Reuters reporting, spot gold traded at $4,860.21 on March 18, 2026, and has now slid to $4,406.78 at the time of writing, dropping nearly 9.3% in less than a week.On top of that, the growing tensions with Iran sent energy markets into a frenzy, fueling fresh inflationary concerns, further weighing down gold’s ascent.Speaking of the U.S. debt pile, it’s now at a mind-boggling $39 trillion, as per the Treasury’s latest “Debt to the Penny” data.Additionally, it now costs roughly $520 billion to maintain that lofty debt load, which is equal to nearly 17% of federal spending so far this year. As we look ahead, the Congressional Budget Office forecasts a whopping $1.9 trillion federal deficit for fiscal 2026, with public debt skyrocketing to nearly 101% of GDP this yearConsequently, Hansen feels the long-term setup still favors gold. U.S. deficits continue to widen from critical levels, and debt sustainability risks are at record highs, compelling investors to turn to gold after the recent bout of profit-taking.

A sharp move in gold is raising questions about what comes next for pricesPhoto by FRAME STUDIO on Getty Images

Gold and Silver Returns by Time PeriodToday: Gold -231.18 (-5.06%) vs. Silver -4.34 (-6.24%).30 days: Gold -633.91 (-12.18%) vs. Silver -17.31 (-19.94%).6 months: Gold +837.30 (+22.4%) vs. Silver +25.56 (+58.17%).1 year: Gold +1,563.06 (+51.95%) vs. Silver +36.53 (+110.85%).5 years: Gold +2,845.06 (+164.74%) vs. Silver +44.44 (+177.40%).20 years: Gold +4,015.97 (+722.21%) vs. Silver +58.78 (+548.52%).
Source: Goldprice.org 
Who is Ole Hansen?For context, Hansen isn’t your run-of-the-mill precious metals analyst.Related: Silver price today: This warning is bigger than most thinkHe joined Saxo Bank in 2008 and became head of commodity strategy a couple of years later, having spent 20 years in London markets before joining the firm. He has established his position as a veteran commodities watcher, known for covering gold, oil, and macro trends, and making prescient calls that media outlets frequently citeAlso, it’s worth noting that Saxo is a regulated Danish bank with over 1.5 million clients and handles over EUR 115 billion in client assets globally.Why is gold falling anyway?Gold should be a much stronger safe-haven trade at this point, but instead we’re seeing markets treat it as more of an inflation-and-rates story first, putting near-term pressure on bullion. That said, here are three of the main factors behind gold’s decline.The Iran war is lifting energy prices: Reuters reported that Brent traded at $111.90 (up 55% for the month) and U.S. crude at $98.35 on March 23, stoking inflationary fears.Inflation remains sticky: Speaking about inflation, the Fed’s preferred PCE gauge jumped 2.8% year-over-year in January, while core PCE and monthly core PCE rose  3.1% and 0.4%, respectively. Also, February PPI came in hot at 0.7% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year.Higher inflation usually means higher-for-longer rates: As per Reuters, U.S. Treasury yields jumped to eight-month highs, while the dollar index shot up to 99.53, with markets pricing in fewer Fed cuts. That hurts non-yielding gold as the dollar starts to win the safe-haven trade.What’s the link between U.S. debt and gold prices?The relationship between the shiny yellow metal and U.S. finances essentially boils down to trust and stability. Put simply, a fiscal deficit is the amount the government overspends in a particular year, while the national debt is the total of those deficits over time.More Gold:Gold just saw its biggest decline since 1983: what’s nextGold and silver bugs face grim reality checkGold’s price is falling fast: Here’s what comes nextTaking the analogy of a credit card, a deficit is what we add to the bill each year, while the debt is the total balance owed.So when deficits remain elevated, debt continues to rise, which makes investors very uneasy about long-term economic stability. That’s exactly where gold comes in.Gold is often deemed a safe-haven metal, and once we see confidence break down in the U.S. government’s finances, investors tend to shift their assets away from a country’s balance sheet. Hence, when debt levels climb and deficits widen, demand for gold tends to rise, supporting prices over the long term.Top Gold ETF Returns vs. the S&P 500Year to date: SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) +4.31% vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) -4.63%.2025: GLD +63.68% vs. SPY +17.72%.2024: GLD +26.66% vs. SPY +24.89%.2023: GLD +12.69% vs. SPY +26.18%.2022: GLD -0.77% vs. SPY -18.18%.2021: GLD -4.15% vs. SPY +28.73%.2020: GLD +24.81% vs. SPY +18.33%.
Source: Total Real Returns (data for GLD and SPY, with dividends reinvested; YTD figures are through March 20, 2026). 
Why Hansen sees gold’s long-term case still intactHansen argues that investors should block out short-term noise and focus on the bigger forces driving gold. Related: Elon Musk’s Terafab bet: what it means for Tesla investorsRising yields and shifting rate expectations have weighed down gold in recent weeks.However, he argues that these are temporary headwinds linked with inflation shocks and central bank uncertainty. Perhaps the deeper story is the U.S. fiscal picture, which continues to worsen as the Iran war drags on.Hansen argues that this worrying macro picture then compels investors to seek protection against the massive “debt sustainability risks” as we continue to see deterioration in the U.S.’s balance sheet.The macroeconomic backdrop has become even more complex.Sluggish growth, persistent inflation, and ballooning government debt are beginning to resemble a stagflationary setup. That setup usually favors gold historically.Hence, despite the market’s fixation on yields and rate cuts, Hansen believes gold’s real driver hasn’t been priced in yet. Wall Street’s gold targets for 2026Wall Street remains broadly bullish on gold heading into the year-end.The latest targets on the king metal sit well above the $4,406.78spot price at the time of writing, with multiple firms still pointing to $6,000 or more for the year.JP Morgan: $6,300, implying about 43.0% upside versus $4,406.78.UBS: $6,200, implying about 40.7% upside versus $4,406.78.Wells Fargo: $6,100-$6,300, implying about 38.4%-43% upside versus $4,406.78.Deutsche Bank: $6,000, implying about 36.2% upside versus $4,406.78.Goldman Sachs: $5,400, implying about 22.5% upside versus $4,406.78.BNP Paribas: $5,620 average for 2026, implying about 27.5% upside versus $4,406.78.
Sources: Reuters, Investing.
Investor takeaway on goldClearly, Gold needs some things to go for it before it can move higher.First up, Treasury yields need to ease, as that makes non-yielding assets such as gold less attractive. Moreover, buyers need to push the shiny metal back over recent trend levels, especially its 21-day average near $5,080 and the 50-day average around $4,980. Once those critical levels are achieved, the recent selloff is losing control.On top of that, the current technical picture is still pointing to a ton of weakness. The RSI is at 35.66, which underscores heavy selling pressure, though it’s not at an extreme washout level.On the downside, the next critical levels may be the 100-day average near $4,555 and the 200-day average near $4,042. If gold drops through $4,555, that points to the correction deepening and potentially opening the door to $4,042.Of course, billionaire Ray Dalio’s case for gold being portfolio insurance still matters. Reuters reported him saying that,Related: JPMorgan resets S&P 500 price target for rest of 2026

One Piece has big dreams for a huge number of seasons, but it may need to be putting up bigger numbers for less money.

Danielle Meyer, founder of Spicy Dan, always had an “entrepreneurial mindset.”

With rock music, purple graphics and a reporter’s collection of sources, Kasie Hunt has made ‘The Arena’ one of the highest-rated shows on CNN.