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Consumer spending

Retail group predicts record holiday spending

by Stephanie Hughes
Nov 3, 2023
The National Retail Federation predicts at least $957 billion in sales this holiday season. But that might not mean everyone is splurging.
Prices for goods are up nearly 1% from a year ago, according to the latest PCE price index.
Mark Makela/Getty Images
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Why are Americans' views on the economy so mixed?

by Kristin Schwab
Oct 30, 2023
In one poll, 44% of respondents say they’re stressed about the economy. Meanwhile, 34% say they’re optimistic.
Change is hard. And it’s not fun, even if your raise does cover how much extra you’re spending at the grocery store. 
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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GDP grew 4.9% in Q3, the highest since 2014. How'd we get here?

by Matt Levin
Oct 26, 2023
The answer will be pretty familiar: consumer spending, and lots of it.
A majority of GDP growth came from people splurging on concerts, restaurants and durable goods.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
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October, that magical time of year when holiday shopping begins

by Henry Epp
Oct 12, 2023
Companies like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s held sales this week aimed at holiday shoppers, and Amazon just wrapped up its second Prime Day event of the year.
While stores might not have holiday decorations up yet, multiple retailers have sales running aimed at enticing (early) holiday shoppers.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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September's real wages are expected to rise

by Mitchell Hartman
Oct 9, 2023
And that would mean your paycheck's purchasing power would be getting a boost relative to inflation.
Rising real wages means consumers are "making up for the consumption power that they lost when prices were rising faster than wages," says Erica Groshen, former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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As student loan payments restart, borrowers feel the pinch. The economy might too.

by Henry Epp
Oct 2, 2023
Obligations resuming after three years could be a rude awakening for some. But by itself, it's not likely to start a recession, experts say.
The return of student loan obligations probably won’t tip us into a recession, but millions of Americans will feel the financial pinch, said Shannon Seery of Wells Fargo.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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All those pandemic savings? They might already be gone

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Sep 28, 2023
People in the U.S. saved an estimated $2.1 trillion at one point in the pandemic. By some estimates, that money's pretty much gone.
Howard Huang/Getty Images
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Furniture sellers adapt to a nationwide drop in sales

by Stephanie Hughes
Sep 15, 2023
Sales at furniture stores have been sliding amid a cooling housing market and weakening consumer sentiment about making big purchases.
AJ Venable at Urban Links Furniture & Appliances in Baltimore. He said his customers have become more price-sensitive.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace
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FedEx and UPS hike prices for 2024, but not as much

by Justin Ho
Sep 11, 2023
Shipping companies need to cover their higher costs, but there's a limit to how much they can pass on to customers.
Carriers like UPS and FedEx know there is a limit to how much they can raise prices, said Jason Miller of Michigan State.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
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Service-sector businesses feel upbeat about "business conditions"

by Justin Ho
Sep 8, 2023
A survey from the Institute for Supply Management found that a majority of service-sector businesses feel positive about business conditions and the overall economy.
Service sector businesses, which include restaurants, hair salons, marketing agencies and more, are overall feeling positive about the economy, thanks to strong customer demand.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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