The Best One Yet 🛒 “Always Optimal Prices” — Walmart’s algorithm patent. Babylist’s influencer store. Blackrock’s risk-on letter. +$400 Kelp Makeup DJ
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Mar 24, 2026 A deep dive into Walmart’s move to digital price tags and the patent that could enable dynamic, algorithm-driven pricing in stores. A look at Babylist’s booming business and its NYC store doubling as an influencer studio. A discussion of Larry Fink’s push for Social Security to invest in stocks. Plus a quirky viral trend: $400 makeup set tied to kelp music.
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Luxury Skincare Uses Music To 'Activate' Kelp
- Creme de la Mer uses a kelp-based 'miracle broth' and reportedly plays ocean music to the kelp tanks to boost activation.
- Estee Lauder reinstated the music practice and now employs a full-time DJ to play ocean sounds for the kelp.
Social Security Could Become A Growth Engine
- Larry Fink argues Social Security's $2.8 trillion trust fund is underutilized because it can only hold low-risk government bonds by law.
- Moving part of that fund into stocks could materially grow retirement assets, but BlackRock would benefit via management fees and the proposal raises political risk.
Start Investing To Protect Retirement Value
- Fear of investing can be more damaging than market risk because inflation and rising prices erode savings over time.
- Historically the U.S. stock market averaged ~10% annual returns and outpaced bonds dramatically over multi-decade periods.