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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)

Retailers are already planning for the end of the year — and they're getting nervous

by Kristin Schwab
Jul 5, 2023
Higher interest rates and the resumption of student loan repayments aren't very good news on the consumer-spending front.
To protect themselves from consumers potentially tightening their belts, retailers might have to carry less inventory and be more flexible with marketing.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
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Why so many workers are going on strike these days

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 28, 2023
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the number of workers who went on strike increased almost 50% last year, compared to 2021.
Above, striking Starbucks workers in November. Data show that the number of workers who went on strike increased by nearly 50% in 2022.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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A new law aims to better protect pregnant and postpartum workers

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 27, 2023
It requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for pregnant and postpartum workers — for instance, providing chairs for people who are on their feet all day.
Before the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act went into effect, the only way for pregnant people to get an accommodation was to have a pregnancy-related disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
damircudic/Getty Images
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Why central banks operate with a pack mentality

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 22, 2023
Traditionally, central banks have more or less unofficially moved in concert with each other when it comes to tackling monetary policy.
Above, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Group mentality is part of central banking culture, says Peter Conti-Brown of the Wharton School.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
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How workwear went from functional to fashionable

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 20, 2023
From Carhartt to Timberland and Dickies, it seems like everyone is sporting workwear, including Rihanna and Barack Obama.
From Timberland boots to Carhartt beanies, workwear seems to be having a moment. It's popular even with people who don't operate heavy machinery.
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Pandora Media
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We're in the stubborn phase of inflation cooling

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 13, 2023
The latest data shows inflation is well below its peak of more than 9% a year ago. But there’s a ways to go before the Fed reaches its 2% target.
There’s still a ways to go before the Federal Reserve reaches its target of 2% inflation.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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Should the Fed raise its 2% inflation target?

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 12, 2023
Some economists think the Fed should aim higher than that magical 2% rate.
Jerome Powell is expected to announce a pause on interest rate hikes this week as the Fed tries get inflation down to a target of 2%.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
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U.S. imports rise in April, but share of goods from China decreases

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 8, 2023
The share of goods the U.S. imports from China has declined to its lowest level since 2006, as manufacturers and retailers seek to diversify their supply chains.
China continues to be a big player in the EV space with its patents and lithium supply. Above, a lithium battery manufacturing company in China's Anhui province.
STR/AFP via Getty Images
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Why retailers almost never come back from bankruptcy

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 7, 2023
Bed Bath & Beyond reportedly wants to sell its baby product chain, Buybuy Baby. Typically the most a bankrupt retailer can hope for is a sale.
Bed Bath & Beyond is reportedly in talks to sell its baby products chain, Buybuy Baby. But that won't save BB&B from bankruptcy.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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Fewer people are leaving their jobs. What's that mean for the economy?

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 1, 2023
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover report for April showed that the quits rate has dropped back to average levels in 2019.
U.S. unemployment claims rose slightly last week and the quits rate declined in April, suggesting a softer labor market.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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