Becker Business Podcast: RH Surges (August 23, 2025)

Overview

In this episode of the Becker Business podcast, host Scott Becker delivers a quick business news update focused on Restoration Hardware (RH), which experienced a significant surge in its stock price despite a difficult year. The episode combines light-hearted personal anecdotes with concise market analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• RH Stock Performance

  • Restoration Hardware (RH) jumped “more than 10%” on the day of recording.
  • Despite this rally, RH remains “down about 38% year to date,” highlighting the volatility and challenges RH has faced over the past year.
  • Scott acknowledges the importance of tracking such surges, as RH is "a stock that's been, well, beat it down this past year."

• Personal Reflections & Retail Experience

  • Scott humorously comments on his mixed feelings about RH. While he admires the brand’s products, he feels out of place in the store:
    • “It's one of the stores that makes me feel when I walk in there like an unattractive bum.”
    • “You have this beautiful salesperson that always looks at me and says and tries to find another customer to talk to right away for fear that I don't have the wallet to spend the money that RH demands.” [00:25]
  • He shares a relatable family anecdote about his favorite RH towels being taken to college by one of his children, underscoring RH’s presence in his everyday life.

• Recognition of RH's Success

  • Despite feeling unwelcome as a shopper, Scott gives RH credit for their performance:
    • “I have to give them, hand it to them, even if they treat me like poor white trash. They're having a great day. God bless RH. Up 10, 11% today.” [01:06]

Notable Quotes

• “It's a stock that's been, well, beat it down this past year. It's down about 38% year to date. But making hay today.”

  • Scott Becker, 00:10

• “It's one of the stores that makes me feel when I walk in there like an unattractive bum. Because the sales people always look at me like I'm poor white trash…”

  • Scott Becker, 00:18

• “You have this beautiful salesperson that always looks at me and says and tries to find another customer to talk to right away for fear that I don't have the wallet to spend the money that RH demands.”

  • Scott Becker, 00:25

• “I almost got mad today because one of the kids is taking a college of my favorite RH towels and I was like, how are they taking my towels to college? But it is what it is.”

  • Scott Becker, 00:39

• “I have to give them, hand it to them, even if they treat me like poor white trash. They're having a great day. God bless RH. Up 10, 11% today.”

  • Scott Becker, 01:06

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-00:18 – Introduction and context on RH’s stock surge
• 00:18-00:39 – Scott’s personal feelings and humorous take on the RH in-store experience
• 00:39-01:06 – Family anecdote, praise for RH’s financial performance
• 01:06-End – Closing remarks and summary of RH’s day

Tone & Language

Scott Becker delivers the episode with a blend of business acumen and self-deprecating humor, which is characteristic of his style. The episode is conversational, candid, and peppered with relatable, real-life observations.

This succinct business update provides listeners with a quick snapshot of RH’s stock performance and injects personality through Scott’s retail experiences, making financial news engaging and memorable.