Market Outsiders

Management Consulted

Welcome to Market Outsiders — where business news meets real insight, fast. Two days per week, the Management Consulted leadership team breaks down one major story through a business lens, helping you spot what really matters behind the headlines.

  1. JAN 16

    Saks Is Bankrupt. Now What?

    Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy. After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support. In this episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover: Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergiesHow junk-bond financing and cash-flow missteps pushed Saks into bankruptcyWhat happens next – and whether Saks can realistically be rebuiltThis isn’t just a retail story. It’s a case study in leverage, dealmaking, and what happens when strategy can’t outrun structural change. Episode Links: Amazon says its Saks investment is now worthless (CNBC)How the Neiman Marcus acquisition pushed Saks into bankruptcy (CNBC)Previous episode: Saks on Amazon Signals Luxury in Crisis – Our original breakdown of Amazon’s stake and why the strategy looked fragile from the startPartner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Saks Fifth Avenue's Bankruptcy02:31 Understanding the Acquisition of Neiman Marcus05:47 Revenue and Cost Synergies Explained09:33 The Role of Cash Flow in Business13:24 Amazon's Investment and Its Implications16:47 Potential Paths for Saks's Revival21:36 The Future of Luxury RetailLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    29 min
  2. JAN 7

    Ford’s Surprise Comeback: Why $50K Cars Still Sold

    The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760. So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019? In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand. They cover: Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVIDHow financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformanceWhat Ford must change in 2026 as margins shift beyond unit salesThis is a forward-looking strategy conversation on how automakers adapt when cars start behaving more like platforms than products. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10Chapters: 03:05 — 2025 Auto Industry Overview 06:33 — Ford's Unexpected Success 08:56 — Consumer Behavior and Car Buying Trends 13:53 — Analyzing the Automotive Market Trends 16:40 — Consumer Behavior and Financing Strategies 19:51 — The Shift Towards Hybrid and Electric Vehicles 22:46 — Sales Performance and Market Share Insights 25:38 — Future Strategies for Automotive Companies 28:30 — Monetizing Customer Relationships Post-Purchase Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    37 min
  3. 12/19/2025

    Who Really Wins When Weed Goes Mainstream? (December 19, 2025)

    Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news. They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer companies may now have the edge. This is a regulatory shock case study: how one policy change reshapes competition, pricing power, supply chains, and long-term winners across healthcare and consumer markets. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10Chapters: 01:05 — What Cannabis Reclassification Actually Changes 03:15 — Schedule I vs Schedule III: Why It Matters 05:45 — Banking, Taxes, and the Industry’s Hidden Constraints 08:20 — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Real Demand Unlock 11:10 — Why Cannabis Stocks Fell on “Good” News 13:30 — Big Pharma, Big Beer, and New Market Entrants 19:40 — Supply Chains, Compliance, and Rising Costs 25:00 — Who Wins, Who Loses, and What Comes Next Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    33 min
  4. 12/10/2025

    Did Thrive Market Just Ditch Its Profit Engine? (December 10, 2025)

    Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems.  In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story. We cover: Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailersThe hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shippingHow Thrive’s branding strategy earns attention, even if the business case is thinThe one customer-insight mistake we see companies make again and againA fascinating look at strategy, consumer behavior, and the storytelling behind business decisions.   Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025  Chapters: 03:19 Consumer Trends in Alcohol Consumption06:23 Business Model Analysis of Thrive Market09:05 Logistical Challenges in Alcohol Sales12:07 Market Size and Consumer Preferences15:38 Branding and Business Storytelling17:30 How Great Strategists Think Past the Press Release21:00 Households, Not Individuals: Why the 54% Stat Misleads23:30 Takeaways on Strategy, Storytelling & Alcohol’s FutureLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Market Outsiders — where business news meets real insight, fast. Two days per week, the Management Consulted leadership team breaks down one major story through a business lens, helping you spot what really matters behind the headlines.

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