Gourmet grocer Dean & DeLuca continues to struggle due to increasing competition.
After more than four decades in business, the grocer is dealing with bare shelves and lawsuits over unpaid bills. It has also closed a number of U.S. locations, with only four stores currently in operation in the United States.
Dean & DeLuca has built its business by offering customers a variety of upscale gourmets that couldn’t be found anywhere else, which enabled it to sell its products at a premium. However, those items are now readily available at chains such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and its online parent, Amazon.
“Carrying around their cup was a status symbol,” food writer and restaurant critic Joshua David Stein said in an interview with Bloomberg. “They were the first store in New York to offer extra virgin olive oil. Now Amazon has extra virgin olive oil. Everyone has extra virgin olive oil.”
Dean & DeLuca’s owner, Bangkok-based Pace Development Corp., revealed that its struggles have caused a delay in payments to some suppliers. Food and beverage sales attributed to the company fell 23 percent to $15.8 million in the first quarter, according to company filings, which also mentioned a debt abatement.
“The lack of financial resources make it very difficult for us to maintain the necessary investments to improve and keep our franchise competitive and attractive,’’ said Sorapoj Techakraisri, Pace’s chief executive officer.
The company is doing well outside the U.S., with 70 stores in Asia. “The U.S. has a very tough environment, but it doesn’t mean we will stop expansion in other regions.’’
Pace acquired the grocer for $140 million in 2014, and Dean & DeLuca compromises more than 60 percent of revenue for Pace.
Among the suppliers that have taken the company to court include Agri Exotic Trading Inc., which sought payment for $173,376 in produce and other goods delivered between February and June. In addition, Four Seasons Produce sued to get $153,504 for goods it provided. Both of those claims were settled earlier this month.
As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.
In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.
AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.
But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.
In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.
Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.
“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.
Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.
While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.
“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”
Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.
The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.
“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”
As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.
So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.
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