Category: Business

• McDonald's now has four CosMc's locations open, one near Chicago and three near Dallas.
• The chain will test 10 locations of the small-format, limited-menu restaurant concept this year.
• I visited the original Chicago location. My takeaway? Dunkin' Donuts should be on alert.

After a year of buzz, CosMc's is up and running.

McDonald's now has four locations open for testing — one near Chicago and three near Dallas — with six more Texas locations slated for this year.

"CosMc's is a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's but its own unique personality. Its menu includes new customizable drinks, sweet and savory treats and familiar favorites such as the Egg McMuffin," CEO Chris Kempczinski said at an investor meeting in December, just before the first location opened.

"And guys, please let me emphasize again, we're talking about 10 stores, okay? So let's not get too excited about it. It's 10 stores," he added.

Keeping in mind the CEO's warning not to get overly excited, I decided to drive to Chicago to give CosMc's a try.

I arrived a little after 11 a.m., but it was basically empty.

There were no cars in the four drive-thru lanes, and maybe one or two customers in the parking area. I had seen images from the grand opening and the days following that showed lines of cars spilling into the nearby parking lot.

This location is drive-thru only, with four ordering kiosks and three pickup windows.

The Dallas locations have the option for walk-up, according to CosMc's website. If this test teaches McDonald's nothing else but how to run a more efficient drive-thru, it will be a huge win for the company.

Each order lane had a digital menu, a speaker, and a payment terminal.

"You get a Dutch Bros kind of feeling here," Chicago real estate investor Ian Jalali previously told Business Insider, referring to the Oregon-based drive-thru coffee chain expanding across the US. "They look to be combining the all-day breakfast demand with the Starbucks caffeine demand and mixing drinks that are more kid-friendly than Starbucks."

The menu was definitely simpler than a typical McDonald’s menu, but I had a hard time choosing since it was so unfamiliar.

I was expecting more coffee-centric options but there was a much bigger selection of sugary drinks and unusual flavor combinations.

A worker patiently waited for me to make my selection over the intercom: a Spicy Queso Sandwich and a S’mores Cold Brew.

While middle-aged dads like myself are probably not the target market for "Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade" or "Popping Pear Slush," I can definitely picture my school-aged nieces getting excited about this menu. (My kids are still too young for this much caffeine and sugar.)

I paid with a tap and the menu board asked me to sit tight while my order was prepared.

I actually had to back up and pull closer to the speaker because I wasn't expecting the payment terminal to be right there when I first drove up.

A little cartoon of CosMc, the 1980’s alien mascot, finally made an appearance.

The character — an orange alien with six arms, a blob-like head, and sneaker-wearing feet — first appeared in a commercial called "The Story of CosMc" in 1987.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUpJDLeJmZU?feature=oembed&w=560&h=315]

My order was soon ready and I pulled up to window 2.

With four ordering stations, three windows, and a well-orchestrated fulfillment operation, this location seems like it could process an astronomical number of cars during peak hours.

The S’mores Cold Brew didn’t really taste like s’mores or cold brew, but it did remind me a lot of Dunkin’ Donuts.

CosMc's has been touted as McDonald's potential challenge to Starbucks, but coffee snobs will probably stick with the Siren. I think the sweet and savory menu poses a bigger threat to Dunkin' Donuts, especially with emerging Gen Alpha customers.

The Spicy Queso Sandwich was quite tasty — easily as good as anything I’ve had at Dunkin’.

Even if CosMc's never fully launches as a standalone brand, McDonald's can tap into its caffeinated, sugary menu to pose a considerable challenge to chains like Starbucks and Dutch Bros., too.

CosMc’s future is not entirely clear, but that shouldn’t be any comfort for competing coffee chains.

McDonald's has revealed little so far — and may never say much — about this experiment in what the company estimates is a $100 billion market opportunity.

Still, CEO Chris Kempczinski gave some hints in April's earnings call.

"What we're still seeing is there's a lot of interest in CosMc's that's sort of curiosity-driven and, as a result of that, it's tough to get a sense of sort of what are the true kind of underlying performance expectations," he said.

"What we're looking at for the ultimate success on this business is we've got to have a business that's driving comparable or stronger [return on investment] to a traditional McDonald's," Kempczinski added.

That's a tall order for CosMc's as a standalone brand, but that still leaves a lot of room for McDonald's to take a bigger bite out of that market.

• SpaceX's Starship flew to space and returned, but suffered visible damage on the fall back to Earth.
• The rocket's fin started ripping off mid-fall, and the camera lens cracked.
• Starship's splashdown was a big step toward reusability though, and Elon Musk claimed victory.

SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket snagged a huge victory on the road to Elon Musk's Mars-settling plans on Thursday — but not without some battle scars.

For the first time ever, the rocket ship flew to space and returned to Earth to splash into the Indian Ocean, with its engines firing and communications with mission control intact.

However, the spacecraft was visibly falling apart on SpaceX's livestream as it screamed through Earth's atmosphere.

Viewers had a limited view of the ship itself, but the onboard camera was conveniently positioned right in front of a fin that started ripping off about halfway through the plummet back to Earth.

Soon the spacecraft was shedding so much debris that it clouded the camera. Eventually, according to a SpaceX commentator on the livestream, the lens cracked under the extreme conditions.

Still, Starship at least partially accomplished one of its biggest goals for this flight: to practice landing.

SpaceX operators confirmed that as Starship neared the water, it fired its engines in an attempt to flip itself upright and lower itself to a soft landing.

You can watch the whole ordeal on SpaceX's livestream, starting at 1 hour and 25 minutes:

Musk claimed victory, posting on X: "Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean! Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic achievement!!"

Given the damage to the spacecraft, and the poor visibility from the camera recording, it was not immediately clear how soft the landing really was.

The full extent of the damage to Starship was not immediately clear either, and it may never be, since SpaceX does not plan to recover the ship from the ocean.

Falling back to Earth is extremely intense

The shredding was a sight to behold, but it wasn't a surprise. This was a test flight, after all, and SpaceX only guaranteed excitement.

Spaceflight is hard, but the return trip to Earth is downright hellish.

A "reentering" spacecraft screams toward Earth at many times the speed of sound — 17,000 mph for Starship, according to SpaceX — pushing through an increasingly thick atmosphere and building up so much friction that ultra-heated plasma forms around its belly, lashing the spaceship with temperatures up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

That plasma showed up on the livestream too.

That's why any spacecraft designed to come back to Earth must have a decent heat shield. For Starship, that's its belly of 18,000 hexagon-shaped ceramic tiles, which Musk has hinted is still a work in progress.

"A super reliable, light, reusable heat shield is the biggest technical challenge remaining for Starship," Musk wrote on X in May.

After Thursday's flight, he reiterated that the heat shield was "the single toughest problem remaining."

Though this was the launch system's fourth test flight, it's only the second time Starship has actually reached space.

The first time, in March, SpaceX declared the vehicle "lost" after it dropped out of communications on the way back down. That probably means it disintegrated or blew up from the stress of reentering Earth's atmosphere.

The Starship-Super Heavy launch system — consisting of the lower-stage Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship vehicle — promises to be the largest, most powerful, and first-ever fully reusable orbital rocket on Earth.

Starship's landing was a big step toward reusability. The Super Heavy booster also practiced and successfully achieved its first soft water landing, after it separated from Starship on Thursday.

The booster fired its engines and flipped itself upright to lower into the Gulf of Mexico.

Eventually, SpaceX plans to land both stages of the rocket on solid ground to be rapidly refurbished and flown again another day.

If it lives up to its hype, Starship-Super Heavy could slash the cost of spaceflight tenfold, conduct point-to-point high-speed transport on Earth, and, yes, even bring the first colonists to Mars.

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For a long time, 60- and 65-inch displays were the pinnacle of the big-screen TV market. But in recent years, 75-inch TVs have hit the mainstream, with entry-level and high-end models from every major brand. The best 75-inch TVs can deliver an immersive viewing experience, and they're ideal for bigger living rooms where you may need to sit farther from your display.

Our team has been reviewing home entertainment products for over a decade, and we've selected the best 75-inch TVs based on hands-on testing. Our top pick is the Samsung S90C, which offers unrivaled color and contrast performance for the money. But buyers who want a more budget-friendly 75-inch TV should consider the Hisense U6K, which delivers impressive image quality for a typical sale price under $700. 

Below, you can find all seven of our recommendations for the best 75-inch TVs. We've also highlighted picks geared toward midrange and premium performance, as well as options for buyers who want an extra-bright or 8K display.  

Note: LCD-based TVs (LED, QLED, Neo QLED) are often manufactured with a 75-inch screen size, but OLED displays are instead sold with a slightly larger 77-inch size. For that reason, we've included 77-inch OLED TVs in this guide.

Our top picks for the best 75-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90C 4K OLED TV – See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Hisense U6K 4K QLED TV – See at Walmart

Best premium option: Sony A95L 4K OLED TV – See at Amazon

Best midrange set: Hisense U7K 4K QLED TV – See at Walmart

Best for brightness: TCL QM8 4K QLED TV – See at Amazon

Best anti-glare model: Samsung S95D 4K OLED TV – See at Amazon

Best 8K model: Samsung QN900C 8K QLED TV – See at Amazon 

Best overall

The Samsung S90C is our top pick for the best TV you can buy. It uses a QD-OLED display that marries pixel-level contrast with a quantum dot filter. That latter feature provides a brighter image than similarly priced 77-inch OLEDs from LG and Sony. 

Black levels are deep and disappear into a dark room, while colors are rich and pop from the screen. The S90C can deliver a peak brightness of about 1,000 nits, which gives HDR10 and HDR10+ content brilliant highlights. And the TV's quantum dots enable bright colors to look more saturated than they do on competing LG models.

On the downside, the S90C doesn't support Dolby Vision, a popular HDR format supported by Sony and LG TVs. Dolby Vision can offer more accurate HDR performance in some cases, but improvements are subtle, so we don't think this omission is a dealbreaker. You can learn more about how HDR formats compare in our HDR TV guide. 

Samsung's smart TV interface is solid, with access to all of the best streaming services, but navigation can sometimes be a little sluggish. On the plus side, the interface includes a Gaming Hub with access to the Xbox Game Pass app. This allows Game Pass members to stream Xbox games without a console. Samsung is the only brand to offer this service on their TVs. The S90C also supports a fast 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC to deliver smooth gameplay. 

Samsung also sells a 2024 version of this TV, the S90D, which can get a little brighter. But the S90D costs significantly more, so we still recommend the S90C as the best value. 

Read our Samsung S90C 4K TV review.

Best on a budget

Hisense's U6K QLED is the best 75-inch TV you can buy on a budget. For a sale price that often dips below $700, there isn't anything comparable in its class. There are cheaper 75-inch TVs, but they deliver a big drop in contrast performance, and most have a narrower range of colors.

To achieve its high contrast, the U6K uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, a combination we haven't seen in other TVs this affordable. This allows the screen to dim across small areas, so dark elements of an image can remain dark while only bright areas get bright. When we reviewed the U6K, we did notice that black levels weren't as deep and uniform as you'd find on pricier displays, but the TV delivered impressive picture quality for the money. 

Colors are also vivid thanks to the display's quantum dots, and the U6K can achieve a peak brightness of 600 nits. For the best HDR performance, we recommend finding a set that can get closer to 1,000 nits or higher, but 600 is still bright enough to make HDR worthwhile. The U6K supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision, which Samsung TVs lack. 

But while the TV looks great when viewed from a centered position, colors and contrast fade if you sit to the side of the display. This is a common drawback for many budget and midrange QLED TVs, so we recommend opting for an OLED model if that's a dealbreaker. The U6K's Google TV navigation speed also leaves a bit to be desired, and its 60Hz panel can't support 120Hz gameplay on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. But again, these are expected tradeoffs for a budget-friendly set like this. 

Ultimately, the U6K is geared toward buyers who want an affordable 75-inch TV that doesn't sacrifice genuine HDR capabilities, and in that sense, it's a winner. Hisense now sells a 2024 edition of this TV, the U6N. It has similar specs but is more expensive. Until the U6N comes down in price, the U6K is the better buy. 

Read our Hisense U6K 4K TV review.

Best premium option

Sony's A95L OLED is the ultimate display for enthusiasts who want a high-end 77-inch TV. It is, bar none, the most impressive TV we've tested, but it's also one of the most expensive. 

Like our top pick, the Samsung S90C, the Sony A95L uses a QD-OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and high color volume. But while the S90C tops at around 1,000 nits of peak brightness, we measured a max of 1,500 nits on the A95L. That's 500 nits more than Sony's previous model in this series, the A95K, and one of the brightest measurements we've recorded on an OLED TV. The only OLED that can get brighter is Samsung's S95D, which peaks at around 1,700 nits.

The A95L's high brightness complements its pixel-level contrast to deliver stunning HDR images. Some HDR videos are graded for a peak luminance above 1,000 nits, so the A95L's ability to go over that number allows it to display bright highlights more accurately. And unlike Samsung TVs, the A95L supports Dolby Vision. This feature can provide slightly better HDR quality in certain instances. However, in this performance class, we consider Dolby Vision more of a nice bonus rather than a must-have feature. 

Sony's picture processing also helps to give the TV unrivaled image accuracy and even lower quality sources from cable, indoor TV antennas, and YouTube upscale nicely. And like most OLED TVs, the picture quality doesn't degrade when you sit to the side of the screen. Given its premium price, it's also no surprise that the A95L has some nice design flourishes, like a backlit remote, an adjustable stand that supports three orientations (high, low, and narrow), and a webcam for video calls and gesture controls.

Gamers get full 120Hz support when paired with a PS5 or Xbox Series X console, but only two of the TV's HDMI ports have the required bandwidth for this feature. There's also no 144Hz mode for PC gaming, something that Samsung, TCL, and Hisense offer on many of their top TVs. Still, it's difficult to find much fault with the A95L, given how incredible its image quality looks. Most people are better off saving money with any of our other best 75-inch TV picks, but this is the high-end display to buy if you don't have budget restrictions. 

Best midrange set

The U7K is one of Hisense's midrange QLED TVs. Like the cheaper U6 series, it uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots. But the U7K can get about 400 nits brighter than the U6K and has deeper black levels. It also switches from a 60Hz panel to a 120Hz screen, which gives this set better gaming performance. 

During our review, the U7K impressed us with its vibrant HDR images, and it offered noticeably better black-level performance than the U6K and other cheaper QLEDs. We didn't encounter any major blooming (when halos appear around bright objects) in dark scenes, but shadow detail wasn't as good as what we've seen on more expensive TVs. 

Like other similar QLEDs, viewing angles are lacking, so you'll want to sit toward the center of the screen to get the best performance. Though the U7K's Google TV operating system (OS) has many apps, it's not the snappiest version of this interface we've used. Eagle-eyed viewers might also spot minor uniformity issues and occasional brightness fluctuations, but these flaws are minor compared to the TV's many strengths.

It's not perfect, but the U7K is one of the best 75-inch TVs for people who want upper-midrange performance without breaking the bank. Its list price is about $1,200, but it's often sold for $900, which is a fantastic value.

In this price range, we also recommend the TCL Q7 QLED TV as an alternative when it's on sale. The Q7 has many of the same features as the U7K but uses regular-sized LEDs rather than Mini LEDs, which can lead to less control over contrast and brightness. 

Buyers should also note that Hisense sells 2024 version of this TV, the U7N, that can get a bit brighter. However, it costs more, so we think the U7K remains the better value.  

Read our Hisense U7K 4K TV review.

Best for brightness

Shoppers who want a bright 75-inch 4K TV to deliver intense HDR performance should have the TCL QM8 at the top of their list. This TV can reach over 2,000 nits, which puts it among the brightest displays on the market. And it's much more affordable than similarly bright QLED models from Samsung.

Like the Hisense U7K, this TCL display uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, quantum dots, and a fast 144Hz refresh for PC games. But this model has even more dimming zones, which enables it to deliver more precise control over its light output. When reviewing the TV, we were blown away by the display's deep black levels and vibrant colors. 

Though the QM8's contrast control still can't match an OLED, it gets remarkably close while offering a brighter image. This makes it an especially good choice for people who like to watch TV during the day since you can pump up the brightness to overcome ambient lighting and sunlight.

However, while the glossy screen's anti-reflective coating works well in most cases, it uses a filter that can cause a subtle rainbow effect when hit with light from certain angles. If that sounds like a problem for your setup, you might want to consider a different model on our list, like the Samsung S95D, which can nearly eliminate reflections without rainbow streaking. And though the QM8's viewing angles are a bit better than those on cheaper QLED TVs, they're still not as good as those on an OLED.

TCL also sells a 2024 edition of the QM8 that can get even brighter. However, it's more expensive. For now, we think the 2023 QM8 is a better buy, but that could change if the new model comes down in price. 

Read our TCL QM8 4K TV review.

Best anti-glare model

In addition to simply being an excellent high-end OLED TV, the Samsung S95D has a unique feature that's ideal for solving one specific frustration: screen reflections. Though not a problem in every room, certain spaces with lots of lights and windows can be a headache for viewers since most displays have glossy screens that can show lots of glare.

However, the S95D has a matte screen that nearly eliminates this issue. There are some drawbacks, but if you struggle with reflections in your room, the S95D could be a game changer. The only notable TVs with similar matte finishes are Samsung's Frame TV and Hisense's new Canvas TV, but those models can't match the overall image quality of the S95D. In our testing, the S95D's matte screen worked exactly as advertised, and we didn't encounter any of the typical mirror-like reflections we see on other TVs.

On the downside, the S95D's matte screen does have a negative side effect: it leads to elevated black levels in bright rooms. The S95D's black levels look perfect with the lights off, but in a bright environment, blacks can take on a slightly gray and hazy look. This is especially true when watching dimmer scenes in movies and TV shows. Glossy screens, like those used on every other TV in this guide, are much better at preserving black levels in a bright environment, but the tradeoff is that they suffer from more reflections. Ultimately, whether you prefer the S95D's matte screen over a traditional glossy screen comes down to your preferences and needs as a viewer.

Outside its unique anti-glare screen, the S95D is also the brightest OLED we've tested. We measured a peak of 1,700 nits. High brightness levels like that are only needed for certain use cases, but it's still impressive. Though we think Sony's A95L offers slightly better image performance overall, the S95D is easily one of the top high-end TVs you can buy. It's also got a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth PC gaming, and a premium design that uses a separate box for inputs rather than having them built into the back of the TV. 

Samsung still sells the 2023 version of this set, called the S95C, for less money. But that model doesn't have the S95D's new matte screen. We think the S95C remains the better value for typical needs, but if you want a premium TV with anti-glare performance as a priority, this is the model to get.  

Read our Samsung S95D 4K TV review.

Check out our S95D vs. S95C comparison.  

Best 8K display

If you want an 8K TV, 75 inches is the smallest size you should consider. This is because the benefits of 8K resolution are only noticeable when you sit close to an extra-large screen. And when it comes to 75-inch 8K TVs, the Samsung QN900C QLED is easily one of the best. 

The QN900C offers four times the total number of pixels of a 4K TV. But even more impressive than its resolution is the display's excellent contrast and brightness capabilities. The TV has a Mini LED backlight with fantastic local dimming performance. This results in some of the best black levels we've seen outside an OLED TV and one of the brightest panels you can buy.

During our evaluation, we measured a peak of about 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, which offers the most accurate image. The QN900C's viewing angles are also much better than cheaper QLED TVs, so the image doesn't degrade as much when you sit off to the side of the screen.

However, as impressive as the QN900C is, most people don't need an 8K TV. Even on a large screen like this, the perks of 8K are hard to notice unless you sit very close to the display. And virtually everything you'll watch on the TV will just be 4K, HD, or SD sources that get upscaled to 8K since native 8K content is virtually nonexistent.

Don't get us wrong, this is an incredible-looking TV, but its impressive picture quality mostly stems from its use of a Mini LED backlight and quantum dots rather than its resolution. Still, if you're dead set on jumping to 8K, the QN900C is a top choice, and it's one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy.

A new 2024 version of this display, the QN900D, is also available. We tested the QN900D, too, and though it looks fantastic, it's not a big leap over its predecessor. Since the QN900C is less expensive, it remains our top 8K pick. 

How we test 75-inch TVs

We picked the best 75-inch TVs through hands-on testing with various displays. We've been covering the home entertainment product industry for over 10 years and used that expertise to inform our testing parameters and requirements.

When reviewing TVs, we focus on 65-inch options since that's the industry's flagship standard. However, overall performance for a specific TV model typically stays the same across sizes 55 inches and up. For example, a 77-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 65-inch A95L OLED have the same specifications. The only major difference is the panel's size. As such, our test results for 65-inch TVs typically apply to their 75- and 77-inch counterparts. 

However, some QLED displays with local dimming, like the TCL QM8, have more zones in larger screen sizes than smaller ones. This can cause slight differences in contrast performance when comparing a 75-inch model to a 65-inch one, but not enough to change our overall takeaway. In rare cases, some TV models have more dramatic differences across sizes. We consider those differences when recommending displays and note those instances when applicable.

When we test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, color quality, contrast performance, peak HDR brightness, gaming features, navigation speed, off-axis viewing, and general value. To measure brightness, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter in combination with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc. 

Test patterns are great for objective measurements, but watching real-world content is the only way to fully evaluate how a TV looks. We sample plenty of shows and movies to see how a display performs in both dark and bright environments. Part of our evaluation involves watching the same assortment of scenes on each TV we review to compare performance. Sequences are chosen to show off HDR highlights, shadow detail, black levels, upscaling, and motion. We also mix up the quality of our material to see how a TV handles 4K, 1080p, and standard definition (SD) programs from Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.

75-inch TV FAQs

Is 75 inches a good TV size?

A 75-inch screen is an excellent option for anyone who wants a display to fill a big space or offer an especially immersive experience in a smaller room. Many of our picks for the best 4K TVs and best OLED TVs are sold in the 75- and 77-inch screen class, so you have plenty of options. 

But if you don't have the space for a 75-inch TV, check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs, best 55-inch TVs, and best 50-inch TVs to see our top recommendations for smaller sizes.

And if you want something even bigger, check out our guide to the best 85-inch TVs.

How much should you spend on a 75-inch TV?

The best 75-inch TVs can cost between $600 and more than $3,000, depending on the performance class you choose. 

Budget-friendly 75-inch QLED TVs, like the Hisense U6K, are sometimes on sale for as low as $650. If you're willing to sacrifice contrast and color performance, you can find cheaper 75-inch TVs for as little as $500. Midrange QLED options with higher brightness typically sell for $800 to $1,300, while high-end models cost as much as $2,500.

If you want an OLED TV (made in 77 inches rather than 75), you'll need to pay a bit more. The cheapest 77-inch OLED TVs start at around $1,800, while premium options cost as much as $5,000. 

Should you buy a soundbar for your 75-inch TV?

Even the best 75-inch TVs often have mediocre built-in audio performance. Companies typically build their displays with small speaker drivers to keep costs down and screens slim, and this can lead to a lack of bass and overall clarity. To get more dynamic and crisp sound quality, we recommend purchasing a separate soundbar or surround sound system, especially one with Dolby Atmos support.

Check out our soundbar guides to see our top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 
• Best budget soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers

How far should you sit from a 75-inch 4K TV?

A large screen size of 75 inches enables you to sit farther away from your display while still getting an immersive experience. To start seeing the benefits of 4K resolution with an optimal field of view, the recommended distance is about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. 

So, for a 75-inch 4K TV, you should aim to sit between 6.25 and 9.38 feet from your screen. 

However, for your eyes to be able to make out the full benefits of a 4K resolution image, you'd need to sit just 4.9 feet away from a 75-inch screen. Of course, most people don't sit that close to their displays, and you can still enjoy a 75-inch 4K TV from a greater distance.

Best overall

The Samsung S89C is a Best Buy-exclusive version of the brand's S90C, which is our top pick for the best TV you can buy. The S89C has the exact same display as the S90C, but it uses a different kind of stand with left and right feet rather than a pedestal to rest on. And unlike the S90C, the S89C is only available in a 77-inch model.

So, what gives the 77-inch S89C the top spot in this guide versus the 77-inch S90C? It comes down to price. The S89C is sold for as much as $500 less than its S90C counterpart. Though the S90C's stand is nicer, we don't think it's worth the extra money. When it comes to TVs in the 75- to 77-inch range, the S89C delivers unbeatable value. 

The S89C uses a QD-OLED panel, which allows it to deliver pixel-level contrast control and high color volume. Black levels are deep and disappear into a dark room, while colors are rich and bright. We measured a peak brightness of about 1,000 nits on the S90C, and since both TVs use the same panel, that's what you can expect on the S89C. 

This gives HDR10 and HDR10+ content brilliant highlights and allows the display to produce more vivid HDR images than an OLED TV without quantum dots, like LG's models. On the downside, the S89C doesn't support Dolby Vision, a popular HDR format used on many streaming services. Dolby Vision can give a TV more detailed guidance on how to display HDR images accurately, but improvements with Dolby Vision versus HDR10 are often extremely subtle, so we don't think this omission is a dealbreaker.

Samsung's smart TV interface is solid, with access to many services, but navigation can sometimes be a little sluggish. On the plus side, the interface includes a Gaming Hub with access to the Xbox Game Pass app. This allows Game Pass members to stream Xbox games without a console. The S89C also supports a fast 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC to deliver smooth gameplay. 

If you really dislike the S89C's left and right feet, we recommend the 77-inch S90C as the next best alternative. But outside that design difference, they're the same TV, and the S89C's price-to-performance ratio is simply unrivaled at this size. 

Read our Samsung S90C 4K TV review (S89C with a pedestal stand).

Best budget model

Hisense's U6K is the best 75-inch TV you can buy on a budget. For a sale price that often dips below $700, there isn't anything comparable in its class. All of the 75-inch TVs that are available for less money will deliver noticeably lower contrast and a narrower range of colors.

To achieve its high contrast performance, the U6K uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, a combination we haven't seen in other TVs in this price range. This allows the screen to dim across small areas, so dark elements of an image can remain dark, while only bright areas get bright. When we reviewed the U6K, we did notice that black levels weren't as deep and uniform as you'd find on pricier displays, but the TV delivered impressive picture quality for the money. 

Colors are also vivid thanks to the display's use of quantum dots, and the U6K can achieve a peak brightness of 600 nits. For the best HDR performance, we recommend finding a set that can get closer to 1,000 nits or higher, but 600 is still bright enough to see the benefits that high dynamic range videos can provide. The U6K supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision, which Samsung TVs lack. 

But while the TV looks great when viewed from a centered position, colors and contrast fade if you sit off to the side of the display. This is a common drawback for many budget and midrange TVs that use LED and QLED panels, so we recommend opting for an OLED model if that's a dealbreaker. The U6K's smart TV navigation speed also leaves a bit to be desired, and its 60Hz panel can't support 120Hz gameplay on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. But again, these are expected tradeoffs for a budget-friendly set like this. 

Ultimately, the U6K is geared toward buyers who want an affordable 75-inch TV that doesn't sacrifice genuine HDR capabilities, and in that sense, it's a winner. 

Read our Hisense U6K 4K TV review.

Best midrange display

The U7K is Hisense's midrange 4K QLED TV. Like the cheaper U6K, it uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots, but the U7K delivers an even brighter image and deeper black levels. It also makes the jump from a 60Hz panel to a 120Hz screen, which gives this model better gaming performance. 

During our review process, the U7K impressed us with its vibrant HDR images, and it offered noticeably better black-level performance than the U6K and other cheaper QLEDs. We also didn't encounter any major blooming (when halos appear around bright objects) in dark scenes, but shadow detail wasn't as good as what we've seen on more expensive TVs. 

Like other similar QLEDs, viewing angles are lacking, so you'll want to sit centered to the screen to get the best performance. And though the U7K's Google TV interface has lots of apps, it's not the snappiest version of this OS that we've used. Eagle-eyed viewers might also spot minor uniformity issues and occasional brightness fluctuations from scene to scene, but these flaws are minor compared to the TV's many strengths.

It's not perfect, but the U7K is the best 75-inch TV for people who want upper-midrange performance without breaking the bank. It has a list price of about $1,200, but it's often sold for $900, which is a fantastic value.

Read our Hisense U7K 4K TV review.

Best for brightness

Shoppers who want a bright 75-inch TV to deliver great daytime viewing and intense HDR performance should have the TCL QM8 on the top of their list. This TV can hit over 2,000 nits, which puts it among the absolute brightest displays on the market. 

Like the Hisense U7K, this TCL display uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, quantum dots, and a fast 144Hz refresh for PC games. But this model has more dimming zones, which enables it to deliver even more precise control over its light output. When reviewing the TV, we were blown away by the display's deep black levels and vibrant colors. 

Though the QM8's contrast control still can't match an OLED, it gets remarkably close while offering a brighter image. This makes it an especially good choice for people who like to watch TV during the day since you can pump up the brightness to overcome ambient lighting and sunlight.

However, while the screen's anti-reflective coding works incredibly well in most cases, it uses a filter that can cause a subtle rainbow effect when hit with light from certain angles. (This rainbow streaking is also common on many Samsung QLED TVs and shows up most when overhead lighting is near the screen.) If that's the case for your setup, you might want to consider a different model on our list. And though viewing angles are a bit better than the cheaper QLED TVs we recommend, they're still not as good as what you get with an OLED.

Read our TCL QM8 4K TV review.

Best premium option

Sony's A95L OLED is the ultimate display for big home theater enthusiasts who want a 77-inch TV. Bar none, this is the most impressive TV we've tested, but it's also one of the most expensive. 

Like our top pick in this guide, the Samsung S89C, the Sony A95L uses a QD-OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and high color volume. But while the S89C tops out at around 1,000 nits of peak brightness, we measured a max of 1,500 nits on the A95L in its "Professional" picture mode, which offers the most accurate default image. That's 500 nits more than Sony's previous model in this series, the A95K, and the brightest measurement we've ever recorded on an OLED TV. 

The high brightness works in tandem with the OLED screen's pixel-level contrast to deliver stunning HDR images. Some HDR videos are graded for a peak luminance above 1,000 nits, so the A95L's ability to go over that number allows it to display bright highlights more accurately. This is especially true when watching Dolby Vision material since these videos give the TV specific guidance on how to scale color and contrast to best match the display's capabilities.

Sony's picture processing also helps to give the TV unrivaled image accuracy, and even lower quality sources, like cable and HD streams, upscale nicely. And like all OLED TVs, the picture quality doesn't degrade when you sit to the side of the screen. Given its premium price, it's also no surprise that the A95L has some nice design flourishes, like a backlit remote, an adjustable stand that supports three orientations (high, low, and narrow), and a webcam for video calls and gesture controls.

Gamers get full 120Hz support when paired with a PS5 or Xbox Series X console, but only two of the TV's HDMI ports have the required bandwidth for this feature. There's also no 144Hz mode for PC gaming, which is something that Samsung, TCL, and Hisense offer on many of their top TVs. Still, it's difficult to find much fault with the A95L, given how incredible it looks. Most people are better off saving money with any of our other best 75-inch TV picks, but this is the high-end TV to buy if you don't have any budget restrictions. 

Note: The 77-inch A95L is temporarily out of stock at most retailers, but some list a mid-February date for new inventory. If you want a high-end 77-inch OLED alternative, we recommend the LG G3. It can't match the A95L's picture accuracy but has similar brightness capabilities. But keep in mind that the G3 is primarily designed for wall mounting and doesn't include a regular stand.

Best 8K display

If you're going to buy an 8K TV, 75 inches is the smallest size you should consider. This is because the benefits of 8K resolution are only noticeable when you sit close to an extra-large screen. When it comes to 75-inch 8K TVs, the Samsung QN900C is easily one of the best. 

The QN900C's 8K display offers four times the total number of pixels that you'd get on a 4K TV. But even more impressive than its resolution is the display's excellent contrast and brightness capabilities. The TV has a Mini LED backlight with fantastic local dimming performance. This results in some of the best black levels we've ever seen outside an OLED TV and one of the brightest panels you can buy. During our evaluation, we measured a peak of about 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, which is the setting that offers the most accurate image out of the box. The QN900C's viewing angles are also much better than a typical QLED TV, so the image doesn't degrade much when you sit off to the side of the screen.

However, as impressive as the QN900C is, we still don't think most people need an 8K TV right now. Even on a large-size screen like this, the perks of 8K are hard to notice unless you sit very close to the display. And virtually everything you'll watch on the TV will just be 4K, HD, or SD sources that get upscaled to 8K since native 8K content is virtually nonexistent.

Don't get us wrong, this is an incredible-looking TV, but its impressive picture quality mostly stems from its use of a Mini LED backlight and quantum dots rather than its resolution. Still, if you're dead set on jumping to 8K, the QN900C is a top choice, and it's one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy.

How we test 75-inch TVs

We picked the best 75-inch TVs through a combination of hands-on reviews and research. We've been covering the home entertainment product industry for over 10 years and used that expertise to inform our testing parameters and requirements.

When reviewing displays, most companies ship us their 65-inch options since that's the industry's flagship standard. However, when evaluating a specific TV model, overall performance typically stays the same across larger sizes from 50 inches and up. For example, a 77-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 65-inch A95L have the same specifications. The only major difference is the panel's size. 

However, some QLED TVs with local dimming, like the TCL QM8, have more dimming zones in larger screen sizes compared to smaller ones. This can cause slight differences in contrast performance when comparing a 75-inch model to 65-inch one, but not enough to change our overall takeaway. In rare cases, some TVs do have more dramatic differences in features and design across sizes. Still, we consider those changes when recommending displays and note those instances when applicable.

When we test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, color quality, contrast performance, peak HDR brightness, gaming features, navigation speed, off-axis viewing, and general value. To measure brightness, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter in combination with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc. 

Test patterns are great for objective measurements, but watching real-world content is the only way to fully evaluate how a TV looks. We sample plenty of shows and movies to see how a display performs in an average setting. Part of our evaluation involves watching the same assortment of scenes on each TV we review to compare performance. Sequences are chosen to show off HDR highlights, shadow detail, black levels, upscaling, and motion. We also mix up the quality of our material to see how a TV handles 4K, 1080p, and standard definition (SD) programs from Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.

75-inch TV FAQs

Is 75 inches a good TV size?

75 inches is an excellent size for anyone who wants an extra-large TV to fill a big space or offer an especially immersive experience in a smaller room. Many of our picks for the best 4K TVs and best OLED TVs are sold in the 75/77-inch screen class, so you have plenty of options. 

If you don't have the space for a 75-inch 4K TV but still want lots of display models to choose from, check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs and the best 55-inch TVs for our top recommendations at those sizes. 

How much should you spend on a 75-inch TV?

The best 75-inch TVs can range from around $600 to more than $3,000, depending on the performance class you choose. 

Budget-friendly 75-inch QLED TVs, like the Hisense U6K, are often on sale for as low as $650, and if you're willing to sacrifice contrast and color performance, you can find some cheaper 75-inch TVs for as little as $500. Midrange QLED options with higher brightness typically sell for $800 to $1,300, while high-end models cost as much as $2,500.

If you want an OLED TV model, which are made in 77 inches rather than 75, you'll need to pay a bit more. The cheapest 77-inch OLED TVs start at around $1,800, while premium options cost as much as $5,000. 

How far should you sit from a 75-inch 4K TV?

A large screen size of 75 inches enables you to sit farther away from your display while still getting an immersive experience. To start seeing the benefits of 4K resolution with an optimal field of view, the recommended distance is about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. 

So, for a 75-inch 4K TV, you should aim to sit between 6.25 and 9.38 feet from your screen. 

However, for your eyes to be able to make out the full benefits of a 4K resolution image, you'd need to sit just 4.9 feet away from a 75-inch screen. Of course, most people don't sit that close to their displays, and you can still enjoy a 75-inch 4K TV from a greater distance.

• NBA Finals tickets are averaging $4,150, the highest since TicketIQ began tracking in 2011.
• Big cities and star players like Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum appear to be pushing prices higher.
• This year's prices are 79% higher than 2023.

This year's NBA Finals has hit a perfect storm of being played in big cities with lots of star power, and getting into the games is expensive.

According to data collected by TicketIQ, an event ticket search engine, the average price for tickets on the resale market was $4,150 as of Monday, four days before Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The average price is the most expensive ever seen for the NBA Finals since TicketIQ began tracking the data in 2011.

The size of the cities and the star power of both teams are likely factors pushing up ticket demand.

According to the US Census Bureau, Dallas is the fourth-largest metropolitan area by population, and Boston is ranked 11th.

This series also has some of the biggest names in the game, including Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown.

The prices for this year's Finals are 79% higher than the 2023 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, with an average ticket price of $2,349. Miami and Denver are the ninth and 19th most populous metropolitan areas.

This year's series is 6% higher than the previous record of $3,899 seen in 2019, the last NBA Finals before the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, the average price for the series featuring the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors was $3,899.

Like this year, that series featured several of the NBA's biggest stars, including Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Kawhi Leonard.

The NBA Finals ranks high on sports fans' top sporting events

The NBA Finals is one of the top events on North American sports fans' bucket lists.

A survey conducted in May by Casino.org, an online guide to casinos and gambling, asked 3,000 sports fans which sporting events they would most like to see in person. The NBA Finals ranked third, behind the NFL's Super Bowl and Major League Baseball's World Series.

If you do want to go to a game in this year's NBA Finals, it is better to go earlier. As the best-of-seven series progresses, tickets for this year's series quickly get more expensive.

The average ticket price for Game 1 in Boston is $2,875, and the cheapest ticket is $900. The average price for a potential Game 7 in Boston is $5,503, and the minimum price just to get into the arena is $1,987.

• Ukrainian special forces on Thursday used naval drones to hunt down a Russian tugboat near Crimea.
• Kyiv in recent weeks has been forced to go after smaller Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
• Moscow has pulled back its larger warships to reduce their vulnerability to attacks.

Ukraine is using its arsenal of exploding naval drones to hunt down smaller Russian vessels instead of the larger Black Sea Fleet warships, which Moscow pulled back to reduce their vulnerability to attacks.

The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence stated that one of its special forces units staged a "successful attack" that destroyed a Russian military tugboat on Thursday. The operation against this Project 498-series vessel took place near the northwest corner of the occupied Crimean peninsula.

"Devastating fire damage was inflicted after the successful breakthrough of the line of defensive barriers of the occupiers in the Black Sea area," the HUR said in a statement shared to the Telegram messaging app, adding that the vessel "will no longer sail."

The operation appears to have been carried out by a Ukrainian surface drone, according to footage published by the HUR, although the exact model is unclear. Kyiv has relied on a fleet of homemade Magura V5 and Sea Baby drones packed with explosives to carry out devastating missions against ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet throughout the war.

Footage of Thursday's operation, captured by a camera placed on one of the drones, appears to show a rather complex attack.

Multiple explosions can be seen around the coast, and the drone appears to slip through a hole in the floating boom defenses. The barrier may have been targeted in advance to allow the drone to pass through, though it's unclear. Russia has relied on these types of defenses — along with moored barges — to try to protect its ports from Ukraine's naval drones.

After navigating the harbor, the naval drone is seen eventually homing in on the tugboat. It then appears to slam into the Russian vessel, causing the video connection to terminate.

Business Insider could not immediately verify the footage.

Ukraine has, in recent weeks, been targeting smaller Russian military vessels in the northwestern Black Sea after Moscow moved its larger, more vulnerable warships away from the area and across the region following a string of devastating attacks.

Last month, for instance, Kyiv used its naval drones to conduct multiple operations against Russian patrol boats near Crimea.

The Black Sea fight has been a notable area of success for Ukraine. Lacking a proper navy of its own, Kyiv has relied on naval drones and long-range anti-ship missiles to wage an asymmetrical style of warfare against the Black Sea Fleet.

Russia has proven incapable of consistently protecting its warships against these threats. It has bolstered the defenses on its vessels and even sent combat aircraft to patrol the region. Earlier this year, Moscow also reshuffled its naval leadership, though the personnel changes have done little to save its fleet.

• The house from the 1990 movie "Home Alone" has found a buyer in less than a week.
• The owners bought the five-bedroom home for $1.6 million in 2012 and listed it for $5.25 million.
• The house's iconic exterior is unchanged, but the interior has been dramatically renovated.

The home where the cult-favorite movie "Home Alone" was filmed went on the market on May 25.

In less than a week, it found a buyer.

Trisha and Tim Johnson purchased the five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Illinois, for $1.58 million in 2012.

The Johnsons listed it for $5.25 million with Coldwell Banker Realty's Dawn McKenna Group. On May 31, the house's status on Zillow shifted from listed for sale to contingent.

"While we're unable to discuss detailed information about pending transactions, we can confirm an offer is now pending after less than one week on the market — and within days of showings," McKenna and her colleague Katie Moor wrote in an emailed statement to Business Insider. "We're thrilled with the way this home captured everyone's attention and hearts due to its well-deserved place in cinematic history and the timeless holiday memories it evokes."

McKenna and Moor declined to comment further on the sale price or the identity of the buyer.

While the house's exterior still looks the same, the inside has undergone major renovations since it appeared in "Home Alone" in 1990.

The iconic front door and central staircase area, which used to be colorful, have been revamped in shades of white. No red-carpeted stairs or patterned wallpaper in sight.

The kitchen has been modernized, so the green-tiled countertops, brown cabinets, and red curtains are gone. There's now a basketball court in the basement — the McCallister kids would have loved that.

The basement is no longer the junk-filled stuff of nightmares, but rather a sophisticated oasis with a sports court, home movie theater, poker table, and bar. The basement cinema also has custom Lego models of the house and "Home Alone" main character Kevin McCallister, which the Johnsons told The Wall Street Journal they will leave for the next owner.

Take a look inside and see what other changes have been made.

The first thing you see when you step inside the house is the iconic staircase.

In the film, the foyer is where the first interior shot of the house takes place.

In the movie, the central staircase was a lighter wood color and lined with red carpet.

Now, the staircase is a darker wood, and there's no carpet in sight.

The changes occurred over the course of several renovations under multiple owners since 1990, the year 'Home Alone' was released.

Some colorful walls seen in the movie have been muted to a more neutral white.

The banisters are also a darker stain than what was seen in the movie.

The banisters, floors, and walls have all been updated significantly.

The structure of the stairs remains the same as in the film, though.

The living room is also missing the Christmas-themed decor found in the film.

It also lacks a Christmas tree with presents underneath — which does make sense, given that it's summertime.

The living room appears much more modern than the one in the film.

In "Home Alone," the living room had a green velvet couch, patterned wallpaper, and green curtains.

The fireplace is still there — but without stockings.

In the movie, the living room has patterned wallpaper and green curtains.

But now, the wallpaper has been stripped away.

The living room as a whole looks a lot more contemporary than it did in the '90s.

In the movie, the kitchen has French door-style cabinets and — you guessed it — more patterned wallpaper.

The kitchen looks a lot more modern now.

The updated kitchen has double islands, a hidden pantry, and an eight-burner gas range, according to the listing.

The kitchen's doggy door, which played an important role in Kevin McCallister's feud with the Sticky Bandits, is gone.

The counters (formerly green), cabinets (formerly wood-colored), and walls (formerly wallpapered) also received an update.

Just off the kitchen is another living space for relaxing.

This extra living space was added during a renovation around 2016 that expanded the house.

There’s a screened-in porch with a woodburning fireplace that offers a peaceful respite — even if you don't have to escape the loud McCallister kids.

With the additions, the home is now 9,126 square feet.

The bedrooms in the movie were similarly lined with patterned wallpaper with pops of red and green bedding and decor.

Upstairs are five bedrooms that can fit the extended McCallister clan — or whoever moves in.

The primary bedroom suite also includes a gas fireplace.

In the movie, the basement was dark and cluttered, with tools, cleaning supplies, and a scary furnace.

Now, the basement is a lot more inviting than it was in the movie.

The scary furnace is no more.

It's been replaced by, among other amenities, a wet bar and a poker table.

The basement also has a spacious sports court.

The floor of the court, which looks primarily set up for basketball, is emblazoned with Bucky Badger, the University of Wisconsin mascot. The school is about 150 miles away from the house.

Also downstairs is a home theater with cushy seats and 'Home Alone'-themed decor.

Trisha Johnson told the Journal that her niece and other friends held a "Home Alone" viewing party in the theater.

The exterior of the 'Home Alone' house looks pretty much like it did in the 1990 movie.

The facade retains its iconic look, with red brick, white windows, and dark shutters.

Trisha Johnson told the Journal that "Home Alone" fans often make pilgrimages to the house in order to snap selfies or record themselves emulating Kevin McCallister's signature hands-on-face scream.

The new buyers had better be ready for more of the same.

• The US conducted two intercontinental ballistic missile tests this week.
• The missiles were unarmed and not in reaction to current world events, the Air Force said.
• The Minuteman III missiles are slated to be replaced in the 2030s.

The US conducted back-to-back intercontinental ballistic missile tests this week to ensure the silo-based leg of the US nuclear triad is working as it should.

The tests of the Minuteman III demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the weapon, Air Force Global Strike Command said, as work on the next ICBM continues amid budget issues and delays.

The first missile test occurred on June 4 at 12:56am Pacific Time at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where "a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen supported by Space Force Guardians launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with one re-entry vehicle," AFGSC said.

The test, it added, was part of "routine and periodic activities" demonstrating the readiness and effectiveness of the US' nuclear deterrent. "Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events," the command said.

The second test was carried out on June 6 at 1:46am Pacific Time and was also at Vandenberg.

"The fact that we were able to complete two operational test launches in one week is a testimony to the excellence and professionalism of the Airmen and Guardians who do this mission every day," said Col. Chris Cruise, 377th Test and Evaluation Group Commander. "This morning's launch demonstrates our commitment to deterrence as we serve as the cornerstone of security for our allies and partners across the globe."

In both cases, the Minuteman III traveled around 4,200 miles to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The US military released video footage of the first and second tests online in the aftermath.

The tests helped various US departments involved in the maintenance and development of ICBMs gather data on the missiles' flights and launches, AFGSC said.

The latest tests of the Minuteman III come as the development of its successor, the LGM-35 Sentinel, continues amid growing costs and delays. In 2020, the Air Force awarded a sole-source contract to develop the missile to Northrop Grumman with a delivery date in the late 2020s and an entry into service in the 2030s.

Since then, the missile program's cost has ballooned by 37%, jumping from an estimated $95.3 billion to more than $125 billion, and it will take at least two years longer than expected. Some estimations suggest the program is now likely to cost over $131 billion. The increase is so staggering that it breached Nunn-McCurdy limits and forced US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to reapprove the program to keep it from being cancelled.

The rising costs and delays have been attributed to capability jumps from the Minuteman III, particularly related to launch control facilities, as well as inflation and labor issues.

The Sentinel program expects to produce 634 missiles, 450 of which will replace Minuteman III missiles. 184 will be used for tests to demonstrate system readiness, and 25 will be used for developmental test vehicles. Until the Sentinel comes online, though, the Minuteman III will continue to serve as the Air Force's ICBM.

• Shein plans to sell its supply-chain technology to other retailers.
• The strategy could help grow its revenue, but experts say the brand's reputation may be an obstacle.
• This article is part of "The Future of Supply-Chain Management," a series on companies' manufacturing and distribution strategies.

Shein is looking to sell the supply-chain technology that has been a big part of its success. Industry experts say that while it could boost the online retailer's revenues, getting brands to sign on could be an uphill battle.

Shein has developed a unique on-demand manufacturing model that enables it to turn around designs in a matter of weeks, compared with the several months more typical among its fast-fashion competitors.

Now, according to an investor letter from Shein's executive chair, Donald Tang, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in March, Shein is looking to sell that technology to other brands and retailers.

"Supply-chain technology is a top secret for a business like this," said Evelyn Gong, an assistant professor of operations management at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business. "People have been curious, and now Shein suddenly is willing to share it with everyone who's willing to pay for this technology, including its competitors."

Shein was founded in China in 2012 and moved its headquarters to Singapore in late 2021. It's a private company and thus isn't obligated to disclose its financials, but Coresight Research estimated that it generated nearly $32 billion in revenue in 2023. Shein has grown a lot in a short amount of time, and its ambitions are even larger.

It confidentially filed for a US initial public offering in November, which is expected to be one of the largest public debuts in years. After facing regulatory struggles and criticism from lawmakers in the US, Shein is said to be exploring moving its IPO to the London Stock Exchange.

Shein has also grown beyond its fashion roots, selling products in categories such as home goods, electronics, and office supplies. It has also opened up its site to third-party sellers in a marketplace model similar to Amazon's.

But Shein's rise hasn't come without controversies — it has weathered allegations related to its labor practices and import strategy, among others — that could hamper its efforts to expand to new business lines, experts said.

A 'playground' for small designers and brands

Shein works directly with more than 5,000 suppliers, mainly in China. Its forecasting tools and high volume of customer data allow it to stay on top of the latest trends.

By showing it has consistently high demand for its products on social media, it can negotiate lower rates and minimum order quantities with its suppliers, Prince Ghosh, a cofounder and the CEO of the quality-control startup Factored Quality, said. This means it can manufacture only the most popular items and avoid sinking money into inventory that might not sell as well.

"Fast fashion has been around for a while," Ghosh said. "Shein, and now Temu and many others, really just built this modern version of it that they have owned a lot of themselves."

That on-demand model could appeal to small, up-and-coming brands that might want to experiment with designs before they fully scale production. Shein already does this on a smaller scale through its Shein X program, which it launched in 2021. The incubator program involves Shein manufacturing, marketing, and selling designs created by individual designers.

Making the tech available more widely could help partner brands gain valuable insight into inventory levels and forecast demand. Brands that aim to keep their prices low while keeping up with seasonal trends could also benefit. It's often very expensive for brands to develop prototypes themselves, especially in the US, so using Shein's supplier network could be more cost-effective.

"It would be a pretty good playground for individual designers and small brands or startups that are just starting out and don't have the resources to set up an independent supply chain themselves," Gong said.

Shein has also made use of de minimis, a provision in US import law that allows shipments of less than $800 to enter the country duty-free and with minimal inspection. It consolidates orders in fulfillment centers in China and then ships them by air to the US in individual parcels. By doing so, it can avoid paying duties that more traditional retailers would have to pay when importing their products wholesale. Brands partnering with Shein could benefit from this practice as well.

"That's how they're able to keep that low cost," Ghosh said.

A Shein spokesperson said the company's success did not depend on the de minimis provision.

"Our business model, focused on creating an on-demand production approach that measures and responds to customers' needs and preferences, is what drives our growth," the representative said.

Still, calls to overhaul de minimis have grown louder in recent months. US lawmakers and advocacy groups argue that the loophole hurts American textile businesses and allows for illicit goods to enter the country. Shein has also said it supports changes to de minimis as long as they're fair.

Brands might have some hesitations

Shein wouldn't be the first retailer to diversify its revenue streams by selling its technology.

Walmart launched Walmart Commerce Technologies in 2021 to sell services such as its artificial-intelligence-powered route-optimization tech and its in-store fulfillment capabilities. The German e-commerce giant Zalando similarly sells logistics services to partner retailers.

But Shein has reputational concerns to contend with. For one, it has drawn criticism and scrutiny following reports that laborers in its partner factories worked excessive hours in poor conditions. Lawmakers have called for the Department of Homeland Security to investigate whether goods sold on Shein and Temu and exported to the US were made using forced labor, which would violate the US's Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

The Shein spokesperson said the company had a "zero-tolerance policy for forced labor" and required its "contract manufacturers to only source cotton from approved regions."

"We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights," the spokesperson said.

Shein has also faced multiple lawsuits alleging it stole designs from other companies. If brands work with their network of suppliers, experts said, it could mean sharing their detailed design information, which some see as a risk. It's not clear whether Shein would get access to its partners' customer data or whether it could use that data to inform its own product decisions.

"We are continually investing in our review process and are committed to driving industry-wide advancement," the spokesperson said. "Shein suppliers and third-party sellers are required to comply with company policy and certify their products do not infringe third-party IP."

Working with established brands could help Shein improve its image as it prepares to debut on the public markets. CNBC reported that Shein had also applied to join the National Retail Federation, the largest retail trade organization in the US, but had been denied multiple times.

But if it's successful in selling its tech to brands it hasn't worked with before, Shein could expand its reach, Anand Kumar, an associate director of retail research at Coresight Research, said.

"Currently, Shein just sells the very low-cost products, but including various brands in its platform, it can sell products at various price ranges," he said. "It'll help to position it to compete with more global retailers."

• NATO is creating land corridors in Europe for the US in case Russia attacks, The Telegraph reported.
• Under the plan, soldiers would land at ports in the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Norway.
• Soldiers would then travel overland to NATO's eastern flank, per the outlet.

NATO is busy setting up land corridors that US soldiers and military vehicles would use in the case of a Russian invasion of Europe, The Telegraph reported, citing unnamed officials.

Under the plan, US soldiers would land at one of five key ports in the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Norway, before being sent along established routes to counter Russian attacks, the officials said.

While some US forces would be transported by land from Italian ports to Hungary, which borders Ukraine, others would be moved from Greek and Turkish ports to the eastern border of the alliance via Bulgaria and Romania.

Local legislation would not restrict militaries in these corridors, allowing them to move cargo without constraints, according to The Telegraph.

Plans are also being developed to move troops through ports in Sweden, Finland, and the Balkans, the outlet reported.

Under previous plans, US troops would have arrived in the Netherlands, and then boarded trains to travel through Germany and on to Poland, the outlet reported.

But contingencies are now being prepared to extend this, The Telegraph said.

And in the event that NATO forces were struck in Dutch ports or northern European ports were destroyed, the military alliance would refocus its attention on landing sites in Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

Last year, NATO leaders agreed to keep 300,000 soldiers in a state of high readiness, The Telegraph reported.

European nations have repeatedly warned of the risk of a possible Russian invasion.

Vaidotas Urbelis, the defense policy director of Lithuania's defense ministry, told BI in February that despite its setbacks in Ukraine, Russia seemed to be better prepared for a future attack than it was before the invasion of Ukraine.

In March, Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, said there was a "real" threat of conflict in Europe and that the continent was in a "prewar" era.

Despite experts saying Russia has been weakened by the war in Ukraine, and is in no position to attack, some European countries aren't taking any chances.

Poland unveiled a plan in May for new defenses along its borders, and the Baltic States said in March that they're investing more in defense than ever.

Last week, the Financial Times reported that NATO had less than 5% of the air defenses needed to protect Central and Eastern Europe, citing people familiar with NATO's defense plans.

But Alexander Sollfrank, the commander of NATO's Joint Support and Enabling Command, told The Telegraph that everything required to create resilience is being worked out.

"Everything is created in a way so the necessary resilience exists — robustness, reserves and also redundancies," he said.

"With regards to air defence… It's always scarce," he added. "I cannot imagine a situation that you have enough air defence."

• David Robinson, who's spent the last two years searching for his son, is running for US Congress.
• The veteran hopes his campaign will add momentum to the search for Daniel, who disappeared in July 2021.
• For months, Robinson traveled across the US to search personally for Daniel in the Arizona desert.

Every fortnight or so, David Robinson starts his YouTube livestream, upbeat and all smiles.

"When the lights and camera turn off, I will be here," he rumbles in one of his intros. The Arizona desert appears on the screen. "When the interests and conversations fade, I will be here."

A 53-year-old Army veteran with a clean-shaven head and thick-rimmed glasses, Robinson speaks for up to several hours at a time about the search for his young adult son, Daniel. Each video typically receives less than 400 views.

It's been two and a half years since Robinson began investigating his son's disappearance and since he crossed state lines into Arizona, where Daniel vanished in July 2021. Robinson's GoFundMe has raised over $370,000 to fund search operations there, and he leads a social media campaign to raise awareness for his search.

But 33 months in, he's frustrated.

"It's inexcusable for us to have as many missing persons cases in this country as we do," he said in a stream on March 10.

Stuck on leads and battling tensions with law enforcement, Robinson, a father of five, has turned to a new move to find his son: He's running for Congress.

A case gone cold

Robinson announced his bid on March 18. He's running for the 2nd district of South Carolina — his home state — as a Democratic candidate.

Rep. Joe Wilson, a 76-year-old Republican, has held the seat for decades and won with margins of around 10 to 20% in the predominantly white district in the last five elections.

Robinson told Business Insider he's campaigning to push the investigations of tens of thousands of Americans still recorded missing by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

"Working with law enforcement to push my son's case, I learned a lot," Robinson said. "I had to work with state officials, government officials, law enforcement, and I have a bigger understanding of why we have so many missing people in this country."

But Robinson's focus is still fixed on Daniel.

An empty jeep in the desert

Robinson's son, a young geologist born with a missing arm, was 24 years old when he went missing near Buckeye, Arizona.

A coworker last saw him at a well site on the morning of June 23, 2021. When family members couldn't contact Daniel that evening, Robinson filed a missing persons report. Police interviewed the coworker, who said he saw the tire marks of Daniel's 2017 Renegade Jeep headed west.

A month later, the blue jeep was found empty on a rancher's land, rolled over in a ravine four miles from Daniel's job site. His ID, keys, phone, wallet, and clothes were left near the jeep, per a Buckeye Police Department report seen by BI.

Robinson has repeatedly told news outlets that police suggested that Daniel voluntarily "undressed himself totally and walked off naked in a desert."

Some signs indicate that Daniel might have felt troubled the day he went missing. Text records in police reports show that Robinson had a dispute with a young woman he was interested in just before disappearing. And the morning he vanished, Daniel made remarks about going to Phoenix "to rest," his coworker told police.

The idea that Daniel abandoned his life and family has been the heart of the disagreement between law enforcement and Robinson, who hired a private investigator.

A father's 2,000-mile drive and beyond

When Daniel first went missing, Robinson drove some 2,000 miles from South Carolina to Arizona after hearing the news.

"I kind of lost that reality and just grabbed what I could and threw it in my car without thinking and started driving," said Robinson, who worked 13 years as a truck driver before joining the US military.

He said he spent his first days in Arizona searching Daniel's Tempe apartment and speaking to people who'd seen him recently.

He'd stay awake to read more about the region online at night. "I was trying to figure out the desert, understand it," Robinson, who fought in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, said.

Over the next two years, Robinson built a small following on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram to broadcast information about his son's disappearance.

Volunteers would arrive to scour the desert, growing from an initial 20 people per search to up to 200 at a time.

But after 49 weeks of organized searches, they still haven't found Daniel.

Robinson has criticized the Buckeye PD's response, saying officers refused to treat the investigation with foul play in mind.

Speaking to BI, a Buckeye PD spokesperson praised Robinson's search efforts but said the department hasn't found evidence that someone else was involved in Daniel's disappearance.

"If evidence like that does come to light, that would absolutely be part of the investigation moving forward," the spokesperson said. They said officers searched Daniel's last known location the evening he was reported missing. Later, law enforcement carried out a grid search for with dogs, drones, and a helicopter.

Missing persons cases in the US

Three months after Daniel went missing, Robinson's search finally made national headlines, largely off the disappearance of another young adult in 2021 — the van-life YouTuber Gabby Petito.

Petito's vanishing captured America's attention, with thousands of amateur sleuths on TikTok and social media massing behind law enforcement's search for the 22-year-old. Her remains were discovered weeks after the case went viral, and authorities found that her fiancé strangled her before killing himself.

With the nation's renewed interest in true crime cases, Robinson highlighted his son's disappearance on major outlets, though the case never took social media by storm like Petito's. He often wonders what could have been if #HelpFindDaniel also received 1 billion views.

The viral search for Petito led to widespread criticism against the media for the "Missing White Woman Syndrome," which underscores how missing people of color are often disproportionately left out of news coverage. In 2021, almost 40% of the 521,000 persons reported missing in the US involved missing persons of color.

But Robinson harbors no ill will against Petito's family, saying he bonded with them over shared pain in searching for a loved one. He and Petito's parents have spoken at events to raise awareness for missing person cases.

"When you have a missing loved one, you want to help everybody," Robinson said.

A dream to see his son one more time

Now a congressional hopeful, Robinson said he's using his platform to promote searches for other disappeared Americans.

The war veteran said he's leaning on his experience uniting hundreds of volunteers in Arizona, regardless of their political beliefs or race.

He often mentions his run for Congress on the GoFundMe for Daniel but said the $370,000 he's raised on the website won't go to his campaign.

It's difficult to determine exactly how long that amount can sustain Robinson's search.

The International Commission on Missing Persons told BI it's "impossible" to estimate the average cost of a search and recovery operation.

Tammy Phillips, the director of business operations at missing persons nonprofit Texas Equusearch, said each search is different. "The cost of a search depends on things such as location, terrain, time since disappearance, land or water, on foot or in a vehicle, travel & lodging for searchers, the list goes on and on," Phillips told BI.

Even if US law allowed Robinson to use his GoFundMe for his campaign, it wouldn't be enough to attain the typical war chest of a candidate running for Congress.

US House candidates have spent an average of $1.4 million on the 2024 election so far, and in 2022, the top-spending candidates won 93.65% of their races.

Wilson, the incumbent in Robinson's district, spent about $468,000 this cycle and has $330,000 cash on hand, per OpenSecrets.

Both men are running for their respective primaries on June 11.

Two and a half years since the search began, Robinson dreams of talking with Daniel just one more time. When they lived on different sides of the country, they would call each other for two hours at a time.

"I'll tell him I love him. I love him, and I wouldn't push him. But anything he needs to tell us or talk to us about, he can do that," Robinson said.