❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now

Retailers say customers are focusing on essentials

Mar 6, 2023
Between inflation and a possibly looming recession, some big box stores are on edge.
Retailers are shifting focus to match inflation-weary customers' preferences for savings over slurging.
George Frey/Getty Images

Inside the hectic post-holiday "returns season" at a Costco warehouse

Jan 26, 2023
A good portion never make it back to store shelves.
Costco is famous for its return policy: unlimited returns despite condition or purchase date, with some exceptions.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images

When consumers feel strapped, some brands do well anyway

May 27, 2022
Strong earnings from Nordstrom, Macy's and Dollar General suggest pent-up demand and a reframing of what people consider essential spending.
Dollar Tree said groceries made up a bigger part of its sales last quarter — which could spell trouble for retailers like Walmart and Target.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Consumers turn to bulk buying as inflation hedge

Apr 12, 2022
The Costcos of the world benefit.
Food prices are climbing, and more people are turning to bulk stores for their needs.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Stores are limiting purchases of some products. This time, blame the supply chain.

Sep 24, 2021
Restrictions on purchases can backfire, causing customers to want to stock up on limited supplies.
A shopper at a Costco store in Alhambra, California in August 2019. Costco and other stores are once again limiting the number of water bottles, cleaning products and paper supplies that customers can purchase.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Costco, hit especially hard by social-distancing rules, sees 90% bump in online sales

May 26, 2020
The company's sales dropped for the first time since 2009 in April.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Costco and Instacart expand deliveries to include prescription drugs

Apr 20, 2020
It's an effort to compete with drugstore chains and pharmacy startups.
About 90% of prescriptions are filled in person. Will the pandemic change that?
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images