Are consumer tastes consolidating or fragmenting to global brands

But those loans are all repaid or expected to be repaid, according to bankruptcy documents. Chief Executive James Dimon played down the risks of retailers to the nation's largest bank.That has led bank executives and other industry observers to shrug off the risks these distressed retailers pose. "There'll be something there, but it's nothing that will be dramatic when it's happening," he said, adding that J. Morgan has scrutinized its exposure to retailers, as well as property occupied by them and vendors who sell to them.The take-home message from the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium was largely positive for many California wine grape producers: consumers should continue to “trade up” while China may offer further bottled export opportunities.Still, not all is roses, though Rosé is, as one speaker from the State of the Industry address put it is “on fire.”The strong U. dollar relative to other world currencies could be a dim spot, according to Danny Brager, senior vice president of beverage alcohol practices with The Nielsen Company. Brager says wine is certainly selling, though fragmentation in the marketplace is driving how, where and to whom it is being sold.How can they overcome—and even take advantage of—their differences with competitors from advanced industrial countries?

Overall, wine trends seemed to be more stable in 2016 as the growth rates for beer and spirits seem to have slowed.

When oil prices tumbled to multiyear lows in 2016, the pressure quickly spread to banks that lent to energy companies.

This year, a far different story is playing out for banks as the U. retailing industry endures a major shake-up that has led to a spike in bankruptcy filings.

Changing shopper habits and the increasing dominance of Amazon. have led retail bankruptcies to hit their fastest pace since the financial crisis-21 this year through Tuesday, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

In recent months, retailers Payless Shoe Source Inc., BCBG Max Azria Group LLC and Limited Stores Co. While many of these companies are saddled with a variety of debt, the "asset-based loans" popular with banks are among the safest.