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Consumer spending

Love Crocs? Hate Crocs? Either's OK with the company's CEO.

by Kai Ryssdal and Daisy Palacios
Jul 29, 2021
Crocs are — and have been — back. Socks are the latest addition to the company's line of products.
Andrew Rees joined Crocs in 2014.
Courtesy of Crocs
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What durable goods tell us about the economy

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Jul 27, 2021
Orders for long-lasting items rose 0.8% in June. The data could reflect trends in inflation, automation and the economic recovery.
Spending on durable goods, like washing machines, provides a peek into overall consumer confidence.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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A Warmer World

Plug-in vehicles might cost more upfront, but should save money in the long run

by Andy Uhler
Jul 20, 2021
Electric cars can save drivers thousands of dollars on maintenance over the life of the vehicle.
Some consumers may be put off by the purchase prices of electric vehicles, but lower maintenance may outweigh those costs.
John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images
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Amazon, other retailers face tight supply chains for Prime Day

by Marielle Segarra
Jun 21, 2021
Retailers have been scrambling to build up inventory — and deals have been disappearing quickly as inventory sells out.
Amazon Prime packages ready to ship.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
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How we decide what to buy

by Andy Uhler
Jun 11, 2021
Do the rising prices of things like cars and homes actually affect how people are spending their money?
"No one thinks about how much I should spend on cereal in response to changes in gas prices," an economist says.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
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Consumer spending rose last month. Will it hold through the summer?

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
May 28, 2021
It looks like consumers will continue to splurge over the summer. And after that?
Travel continues to be one cause for consumer spending into and potentially past this summer.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images
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FDIC says credit card balances dropped in Q1

by Justin Ho
May 27, 2021
Sure, we're putting some purchases on credit cards, but we're still not getting out the plastic for big travel expenses.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Many ready to splurge as consumer confidence builds up

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
May 25, 2021
Two-thirds of consumers are still hesitant to regularly venture out of their homes, but that doesn't mean they won't be spending.
Thirty percent of those surveyed say they’ll spend more money on travel and dining.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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Are vaccinations getting people to spend? Maybe not yet.

by Amy Scott and Sean McHenry
May 24, 2021
Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Chaney Cambon notes that unvaccinated people are outspending the vaccinated.
Customers inside a bar in North Hollywood. In order to enter, they must provide proof of vaccination.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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Retail sales were flat in April, falling short of estimates

by Marielle Segarra
May 14, 2021
But considering what we're comparing them to — the stimulus-fueled month of March — that's not so bad.
In April, people spent less on things like clothing and furniture and more at bars and restaurants.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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