Consumer spending

The rebound from pandemic deprivation continues, says Adriana Samper of Arizona State, and the reasoning can get pretty creative.

During the pandemic, people spent money on stuff. Then, they spent money on experiences. Now, it seems they're spending money on things that help them connect.

But what they're spending their money on is shifting.

Demand for consumer electronics has fallen since the early days of the pandemic. But Best Buy says electronics demand could stabilize in the near future, or even grow.

Consumer spending, which accounts for most of GDP, grew more in the second quarter than initially reported.

Over the last year, many retailers have been successfully using discounts to purge their excess inventories. Now, retailers might use discounts to lure skittish consumers.

Deflation has led to lost revenue for companies, layoffs, and decreased consumer spending.

Households feel their finances have been improving, the New York Fed says. But Americans appear to be racking up more credit card debt.

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index is up 40% over last year, aided by moderating inflation and job market strength.

Researchers use some video games to learn about spending behavior and how players respond to economic crises.