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Consumer spending

The U.S. may still avoid a recession, retail sales indicate

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jul 18, 2023
Retail sales were soft but not terrible in June. More importantly they are at least keeping up with inflation, and don't foreshadow a recession.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
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Some small businesses worry they've hit the limit on raising prices

by Justin Ho
Jul 11, 2023
It could signal that wage and other cost pressures are easing or that sales are weakening and the economy is slowing.
Downbeat sales expectations could cause more businesses to decide against another price hike, said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist with the National Federation of Independent Business.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Consumer spending is “all over the place,” chocolate shop owner says

by Richard Cunningham
Jul 7, 2023
Even with erratic demand, this Maine chocolatier is optimistic about a strong year for her business.
Dean's Sweets in Portland, Maine, is looking forward to a busy summer.
Melissa Mullen Photography
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Why there's a disconnect between consumer spending and consumer confidence

by Ali Budner
Jun 28, 2023
Tracking how shoppers feel is important — consumer spending makes up a whopping 70% of GDP.
Individual consumer spending had stayed up recently, even when overall consumer confidence has been down.
David Becker/Getty Images for Nordstrom Rack
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FedEx meets lowered demand for shipping with cost-cutting and layoffs

by Elizabeth Trovall
Jun 21, 2023
As consumers favor services over buying goods, FedEx and other shippers are feeling the pinch.
FedEx is spending more on wages and equipment while people are choosing experiences over goods.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The American consumer just keeps spending

by Mitchell Hartman
Jun 15, 2023
Retail sales surprised with a 0.3% gain in May. Nearly every category advanced despite persistent concern about inflation.
Despite continued anxiety about inflation, retail sales ticked up last month.
David Becker/Getty Images for Nordstrom Rack
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Adventures in Housing

“I’m at a point where I want to enjoy my life”

by Maria Hollenhorst
Jun 14, 2023
Baby boomer Barbara Talisman quit her job to travel the world. Research shows her generation wants to live it up as younger folks spend less.
Barbara Talisman having an adventure in French Polynesia in April 2022.
Courtesy Talisman
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Americans have almost $990 billion in credit card debt

by Stephanie Hughes
Jun 9, 2023
But with interest rates high and wage growth slowing, that level of spending is becoming unsustainable.
Between early 2021 and mid-2022, about 10 million people got credit cards who hadn’t had them before.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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People are spending less on things — and more on fun

by Savannah Maher
May 24, 2023
Consumers at almost every income level are finding ways to spend on getting out of the house.
Despite inflation, consumers have continued to spend on dining out, travel and other fun.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Consumers say they're doing fine, but the economy as a whole isn't. Why?

by Justin Ho
May 23, 2023
It all depends on the questions pollsters ask. "How are you doing?" will elicit a different answer than "How do you feel about inflation?"
According to a survey out this week, almost three-quarters of people feel at least OK about their own personal economies. But other surveys suggest people think differently about the broader economy.
David Becker/Getty Images
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