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Here's everything you need to know today - in under 3 minutes.

Today's big stories

🍔Grill'd is increasing its prices as meat prices soar

🚴‍♀️Amazon and Nike are reportedly exploring bids for Peloton

🛍Department store Selfridges is introducing in-store sex therapy

Oh and get this...

YIPPEE! Australia will finally open its borders to international travellers on the 21st of February. The change will hopefully bring a much-needed boost to Australia’s tourism industry, which used to bring in around $60 billion to the economy pre-COVID.

Bad news: Grill'd is about to go from $ to $$. Good news: two meatless restaurants are opening

Background: Grill'd is an Aussie burger chain that specialises in so-called 'healthy burgers' (if that exists). It launched back in 2004, and now has around 150 restaurants Australia-wide.  

What happened: Those darn supply chains have led to pretty severe pricing pressure at your local café, the petrol pump...and restaurants. Meat prices hit a three-year high in October last year, and have been rising ever since

What else: Now, Grill'd is going to up its prices at the end of March. And, they will convert two of its restaurant into meatless restaurants. 

So what's the key learning? 

💡As the price of meat continues to rise, alternative meat producers are becoming a competitive choice for restaurants. 

💡Australia's meat supply chain has been hit by droughts, bushfires, and now pandemic-related absenteeism. And as supply decreases, but demand increases (or stays the same), the price of meat increases.

💡Alternative meat producers on the other hand aren't facing the same supply issues. And it's becoming easier and less expensive for companies to create these products, which brings down the costs for restaurants like Grill'd. 

Rumour has it Amazon or Nike could buy Peloton and the sharemarket likey likey

Background: Peloton are a fitness company known for that super fancy exercise bike. Ya know, the one that seems to keep giving TV characters heart attacks?!

What happened: The company soared during COVID, but as the world opened up...Peloton came hurtling back to earth. Now, the company's so down in the dumps it's attracting attention from companies like Amazon, Nike and potentially Apple.

What else: While nothing's confirmed, we know investors like the sound of an acquisition. So much so, they sent shares surging 30% on the news. Wowza.

So what's the key learning?

💡We know mergers and acquisitions can affect a company's share price. But even the prospect of one can also be reflected in price.

💡Generally, when one company acquires another, the stock prices of the 'target company' (aka Peloton in this case) jumps. This is because the acquiring company (aka Amazon or Nike) will most often pay a premium on the target company's current share price.

💡So even if the acquisition doesn't take place, investors take that into consideration. Which means until anything is locked in...there tends to be a bit of a share price volatility.

Selfridges is introducing in-store sex therapy and drug-free psychedelic trips and um...what?

Background: Selfridges is a chain of high-end department stores across the UK. It was founded back in 1908, and now stocks famous luxury brands like Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Chanel...that $$ stuff.

What happened: COVID saw the number of visitors to Selfridges' physical stores tank, and sales took a hit as a result. But now, Selfridges (which btw, doesn't sell fridges) has a plan to get foot traffic back up.

What else: Selfridges is going to offer sex therapy and drug-free psychedelic trips in-store...with the hopes that it entices people to visit.

So what's the key learning?

💡The pandemic completely upended how many industries operate, but none more so than the retail industry. So, big bets are sometimes required to get people back in store.

💡While some retailers have responded by increasing their investment in technology...it ain't a foolproof solution. Over 85% of retail still happens in physical stores. And 75% of shoppers are likely to spend more after receiving high-quality service.

💡So, retailers like Selfridges are choosing to offer additional services and experiences to get people back in and sales back up.