Dec 16, 2020

A look at the state of retail, as holiday shopping wraps up

Shoppers carry bags from Macy's department store in New York. Kna Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

On today's show: how the pandemic is affecting retailers and consumers alike. Plus, what the SolarWinds hack could mean for the U.S. economy.

Segments From this episode

What Fed Chair Powell had to say today

The Federal Open Market Committee today concluded its last meeting for 2020. “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal breaks down some key takeaways from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference.

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COVID-19

How we shop for the holidays is different this year

by Marielle Segarra

Dec 16, 2020

People are shopping online more, buying gifts for fewer people — and in some cases, changing up what they usually give.

Laurie Dieffembacq/AFP via Getty Images

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For small retailers, COVID-19 is changing business, but to what extent?

by Sean McHenry

Dec 16, 2020

It might depend on what is sold and where it's sold. We check in with three business owners to see how things look in the middle of the holiday shopping season.

Shoppers carry bags from Macy's department store in New York.

Kna Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

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What the SolarWinds hack could mean for the U.S. economy

by Kai Ryssdal

Dec 16, 2020

“I think it's going to take months, maybe a year to figure out where they went,” says New York Times national security correspondent David Sanger.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

"We're definitely counting on a comeback"

by Kai Ryssdal and Alli Fam

Dec 16, 2020

That's what the president of Mississippi-based Golding Barge Line says he's hoping for in the new year.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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COVID & Unemployment

Losing a job hasn't translated to losing health care — so far

by Samantha Fields

Dec 16, 2020

Most people who've lost jobs during the pandemic didn't get health insurance at work.

Doctors test hospital staff at a triage center in New York early in the pandemic.

Misha Friedman/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Number of Americans moving homes hits lowest level in 73 years

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Dec 16, 2020

Migration patterns could change in a work-from-home world brought on by the pandemic.

A pedestrian walks by a building advertising an apartment for rent on Sept. 1, 2020, in San Francisco, California.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Drifting Poolside

Orchids Monster Rally

Seconds Into Months (Instrumental Version) MNDLSS

Bassackwards Kurt Vile

Autumn Sweater Yo La Tengo

Habits (Stay High) Tove Lo

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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