Apr 28, 2021

Pent-up demand for a vacation

Employers might receive a wave of employee time off requests in the near future, testing companies' flexibility. Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Also on today's show: Voting rights legislation prompts a flurry of political fundraising and live venues are finally able to tap into federal funding.

Segments From this episode

What consumer spending can tell us about the economic recovery

by Marielle Segarra

Apr 28, 2021

The numbers are a snapshot of March, when many Americans were spending freshly received stimulus checks.

This Friday's consumer spending numbers will mostly be based on the experience economy, which includes services like bars, hair salons and theaters.

Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images

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Why a rise in wholesale inventories could be a beacon of optimism

by Justin Ho

Apr 28, 2021

Wholesalers are like the middlemen of the retail supply chain, buying goods from manufacturers to sell to retailers.

Increased wholesale inventory signals expectations of strong retail demand. But for how long?

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

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Fast-food loyalty programs have grown during the pandemic

by Kristin Schwab

Apr 28, 2021

Companies are competing with one another — and delivery apps — for your data.

Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

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Microbusinesses and the pandemic

Struggling venue operators can finally seize the federal government’s lifeline

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Apr 28, 2021

Applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant reopened on Monday after a failed launch earlier this month.

Comedian Janee Harvey performs at xBk in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 23. Proprietor Tobi Parks is one of many small business owners applying for a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

Photo by Maggie Littel, courtesy of xBk

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Voting rights issue sparks huge fundraising across political spectrum

by Kimberly Adams

Apr 28, 2021

There’s been a fight over the right to vote throughout American history, but in the last year, it's gone into overdrive.

The political right calls new voting laws "reforms." The left calls them "restrictions." Millions of dollars are being spent across the political spectrum on the issue.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Workplace Culture

Employers brace for vaccine vacation crunch

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Apr 28, 2021

Americans are notorious for not taking vacations, but with so much pent-up demand, this year could be different.

Employers might receive a wave of employee time off requests in the near future, testing companies' flexibility.

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

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United States of Work: Gaile Harrell

On this segment of our ongoing series “United States of Work,” we hear from Gaile Harrell, a part-time cashier at a Royal Farms convenience store in Ashburn, Virginia.

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Music from the episode

Heartbeats The Knife

From Home, to Work, and Back.. Tall Black Guy

I Love You Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band

Hands of Time Kraak & Smaak, Alxndr London

Life in the Tropics Cienfue

Non$Ense LOVEBROOK

1 Thing Amerie

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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