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Kristin Schwab

Reporter

SHORT BIO

Kristin Schwab is a reporter at Marketplace focusing on the consumer economy. She's based in Brooklyn, New York.

Before Marketplace, Kristin produced narrative and news podcasts for The New York Times, New York Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. She teaches audio journalism at her alma mater, Columbia Journalism School.

Kristin also has a BFA in dance from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After performing with ballet and modern companies, she got her start in journalism as an editor at Dance Magazine. Kristin grew up in Minnesota and has been a bit reporting obsessed since watching the '90s PBS show "Ghostwriter" as a kid. Yes, she had one of those necklace pens and a marbled composition notebook.

Episodes by Kristin (10)

Marketplace

Steel tariffs déjà vu 

Apr 17, 2024
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Marketplace

“This is the time to be a saver”

Apr 2, 2024
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Marketplace

Ultimately, the joke's on Gmail rivals

Apr 1, 2024
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Marketplace

Can we break out of the mortgage lock-in effect?

Feb 19, 2024
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Marketplace

Shoppers love easy returns. But retailers aren't sold on 'em.

Nov 24, 2023
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Marketplace Minute

Wall Street rallies on inflation

Nov 14, 2023
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Marketplace

A closer look at unemployment and wealth gap data

Oct 19, 2023
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Marketplace

How water moves — or stalls — the economy

Oct 18, 2023
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Marketplace Minute

Oil prices are in flux

Sep 6, 2023
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Marketplace

Tracing the roots of Labor Day

Sep 4, 2023
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Latest Stories (505)

Admit it — you miss socializing at the office

by Kristin Schwab
May 23, 2023
Work can be a foundational part of socialization for young adults on their own for the first time.
It’s been more than three years since the pandemic first shut down offices across the country. That means many young office workers have never actually worked in an office.
AzmanJaka/Getty Images
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2023 has been a year for bankruptcy

by Kristin Schwab
May 18, 2023
More than 230 companies declared bankruptcy before the end of April. What is happening?
David’s Bridal is among the more than 230 companies that declared bankruptcy before the end of April.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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April retail sales data add confusion to an already confusing economy

by Kristin Schwab
May 16, 2023
Between the pandemic and its economic ripple effects, the consumer experience has been a wild ride.
While consumers are cutting back on buying big-ticket items like appliances, there’s still pent-up demand for services.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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CPI, PPI — what do the indexes really tell us about inflation?

by Kristin Schwab
May 11, 2023
Economists say the more measures, the better their predictions — even if they provide slightly different pictures of the economy.
The produce price index, which measures costs that businesses pay, tends to be more volatile than the consumer price index.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Banks in Turmoil

Here's why the U.S. has so many banks

by Kristin Schwab
May 5, 2023
Deregulation has allowed lenders to operate across state lines, making it easier for banks to merge when they’re in trouble.
"Banking in this country is way more restrictive than in any other of the industrialized countries," says Richard Grossman, an economics professor. 
David McNew/Getty Images
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Banks in Turmoil

How can regional banks manage the industry's troubles?

by Kristin Schwab
May 4, 2023
Larger lenders and regulators step in for the good of the overall banking system. But confidence among depositors is key.
Regional banks continue to struggle. News that PacWest is exploring "strategic options," including a sale of the company, sent its stock sliding.
Davd McNew/Getty Images
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How brands like Birkenstock and Victoria's Secret stage a comeback

by Kristin Schwab
May 2, 2023
It takes more than trends and nostalgia to become popular a second or third time around. It can take years of hard work.
"How can we not sell, you know, mastectomy or maternity bras?" says Sarah Sylvester, executive vice president of marketing at Victoria's Secret. "Like, why would we turn any woman away for anything that she needs if we’re supposed to be the leader in bras?" Above, an underwear display from 2021.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Why are Ikea and Costco expanding as other retailers close stores and lay off staff?

by Kristin Schwab
Apr 21, 2023
Opening new stores may be a way for some retailers to position themselves for both a downturn and a recovery.
Someone who once shopped at Crate & Barrel may now feel more comfortable on an Ikea budget, which could partially explain the retailer's expansion plan.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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CEO turnover is booming. What's going on?

by Kristin Schwab
Apr 19, 2023
According to a new report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, CEO turnover hit its highest rate last quarter since 2020.
Several major companies like The Body Shop and Dr. Martens have announced exits from their C-suites recently.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images
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Eggs are cheaper, but not housing? Inside the latest consumer price index

by Sabri Ben-Achour and Kristin Schwab
Apr 12, 2023
The March report shows inflation slowing overall and prices easing in some key areas (food) and not in others (services and shelter.)
Egg prices dropped 10% and fruits and vegetables fell 1.3% from February, according to the CPI. But overall food and beverage prices were up more than 8% from last year.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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