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Credit card companies need people to spend

Aug 31, 2020
Many credit card companies are launching new cards to capitalize on shifting consumer spending.
A customer signs a credit card receipt at an ice cream parlor. Card balances dropped by $76 billion in the second quarter.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images

As reopening falters, consumer confidence falls

Aug 25, 2020
The pandemic isn't abating and consumers are wary of the future, economists at The Conference Board say.
Customers walk past closed stores at a mall in Franklin, Tennessee. Consumer confidence has fallen yet again.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Visa CEO: "The world has changed dramatically"

Jun 30, 2020
Visa CEO Al Kelly discusses the consumer economy and corporate responsibility today, amid the global pandemic and nationwide protests for racial justice.
"We've seen debit card volume increase much more than credit card volume," Visa CEO Al Kelly says.
Courtesy of Visa Inc.

Consumer spending rises — for now

Jun 26, 2020
An 8% uptick in May follows a 20% drop over March and April. That's the good news. There are plenty of potential economic blows on the horizon.
Consumer spending in the United States shot up a record 8.2% in May, but it doesn't mean recovery is on the way.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Household debt up 4% in the first quarter

Jun 12, 2020
About 1 in 6 households reports having more debt now than before the COVID-19 crisis.
David McNew/Getty Images

Early signs of an improving economy, but consumers haven't opened their wallets

May 29, 2020
With unemployment so high and concerns about the coronavirus spread, we likely won't see a rebound in consumer spending anytime soon.
Anxiety about personal finances is still sky-high.
David McNew/Getty Images

Consumers are buying less while shopping online more

May 14, 2020
The Marketplace-Edison Research Poll finds that 40% of those who shopped online before the pandemic now do it more.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

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How people are celebrating this socially distant Mother's Day

May 8, 2020
There will be less less close contact and brunches, more electronics, books and creativity.
Flower shopping with a face mask.
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

What's gonna happen to the consumer economy?

Apr 6, 2020
Consumer spending accounts for 70% of U.S. GDP. Is that going to change soon?
Consumer spending has carried a lot of weight in this economy for a long time.
Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Consumer confidence dips with spread of COVID-19

Mar 27, 2020
As people see workplaces close, big layoffs and stock market uncertainty, they fear for their financial security.
Confidence is likely to get a lot worse, and could reach levels last seen in the Great Recession.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images