Stories Tagged as
Consumers
The "sneaky practice" of shrinkflation has been driving up your grocery bills for years
by
Kai Ryssdal
and Sarah Leeson
Jan 4, 2023
Shrinkflation means getting less product for the same price, and it's not going away anytime soon.
Consumers have kept the economy humming. How long can they keep it up?
Dec 20, 2022
Although they're contending with inflation and economic uncertainty, they continue to rack up debt and burn through their savings.
Consumer credit is up almost 7% since this time last year
Dec 8, 2022
Credit card balances alone were up 15% in the third quarter. Higher prices for necessities and higher interest rates are contributing factors.
Americans are saving little — while they spend up a storm
Dec 1, 2022
The personal saving rate declined in October to its lowest point since 2005. "A lot of people are close to the edge, unfortunately," an analyst says.
Consumers are worried about the economy. They're also spending up a storm.
Nov 30, 2022
They don't like the inflation rate, but they do like the current job market.
What do different measures of inflation tell us?
Jun 30, 2022
The PCE and CPI measure different things, but the message they send to consumers may influence expectations — that then can affect inflation.
Some prices take longer than others to drop — and longer than inflation
Jun 13, 2022
Some essentials — notably food — may may maintain their price strength. Appliances and furniture may come down quicker.
For public good, not for profit.
Return fees are happening because retailers are hurting
Jun 9, 2022
Americans sent back $760 billion worth of stuff last year. Now higher shipping costs and rising returns are hurting companies' bottom lines.
The chaotic story of inventory in today's economy
Jun 8, 2022
Wholesale inventories were up in April. But now, some stores have too much inventory while others struggle to get the inventory they need.
Retailers have an inventory problem as lockdown lifestyle fades
Jun 7, 2022
As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.