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Jul 16, 2020

We bought more in June, and then July happened

Retail sales are up, but the numbers reflect a time before all of the new COVID-19 cases. U.S. manufacturing also surged in June, automakers were the biggest winners. And, sports betting has carried on creatively even with many leagues paused.

Shoppers at a reopened Texas mall in May. The current surge in coronavirus cases is bringing new woes to retailers. — Shoppers at a reopened Texas mall in May. The current surge in coronavirus cases is bringing new woes to retailers.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

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Segments From This Episode

Retail sales went up in June, and consumers did more in-person shopping
We regained a lot of the ground lost during the height of the lockdowns. But, as infections have surged, businesses that were able to reopen have had to readjust. Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, has more.
Auto industry needs healthy workers, supply chains to keep up improved production
by Justin Ho
Jeff Kowalsy/AFP via Getty Images
Auto production made the biggest manufacturing gains in June, but an increase in COVID-19 cases now threatens that progress.
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Ping pong, anyone? Sports fans find new games to bet on during the pandemic
by Miles Bryan
Lars Baron/Getty Images
While U.S. pro sports leagues suspend play, table tennis, darts and other more obscure competitions find new fans.
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Music from the episode

The Team

David Brancaccio Host
Victoria Craig Host, BBC
Stephen Ryan Senior Producer, BBC
Jonathan Frewin Producer, BBC
Daniel Shin Producer
Jay Siebold Technical Director
Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer
Alex Schroeder Producer
Erika Soderstrom Producer
Rose Conlon Producer
Brian Allison Technical Director