Bloomberg This Weekend: Footwear and Apparel Shifts, Retail Cats, Cursive Mandates, and Live Audiobook Events

Bloomberg This Weekend with David Drew and Christina Ruffini presents a roundup of stories, with Lisa Mateo highlighting consumer and cultural trends. The segment covers shifts in footwear and apparel markets, the use of cats in retail, the reintroduction of cursive writing mandates, and live audiobook reading events.

■ Footwear and apparel trends
- Sneaker market changes: Nike Air Jordans, Adidas Samba, Adidas Bad Bunny sneaker at $140, and an Adidas snow sneaker loafer; Steve Madden and Birkenstock heels noted, with loafers returning.
- Athletic apparel shifts: Lululemon leggings facing competition; Alo work pants cited as more formal athletic wear.

■ Retail and education
- Hardware stores and bodegas use cats for pest control and social media appeal, which can boost sales.
- More than a dozen U.S. states reintroduce cursive writing mandates; concerns include reading historical documents and signing signatures.

■ Literary events
- Live audiobook readings hosted in cities, with professional voice actors performing works; attendees listen communally.

Viewers interested in retail, fashion, education policy, and literary culture will find a concise overview of these trends. The episode provides context on consumer behavior and cultural shifts, and may encourage further reading or attending local events.