Black Friday riddle: Consumers are financially stressed, but still spending

Nov 25, 2022
Their debt levels are rising as the holiday shopping season ramps up. It helps that unemployment is low.
Black Friday shoppers take a moment to rest in massage chairs at the Opry Mills mall in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Next week's economic data will tell us a lot

Nov 25, 2022
Reports on inflation, consumer confidence and jobs will be consequential. We asked economists to point out the most important items.
"If consumers were truly, truly worried," says economist Jennifer Lee, discretionary spending on things like restaurant lunches "would be one of the first areas they would cut back on."
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Economic malaise tightens some consumers' pocketbooks

Nov 22, 2022
People feeling the effects of a slowing economy may consider cutting spending, says Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary.
Consumers experiencing economic difficulties may cut back on expenses like dining out, says Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary.
Jeenah Moon/Getty Images

Outlook cools for global shipping demand

Nov 2, 2022
Softening demand and high inventories are to blame.
Shipping company Maersk expects demand for shipping containers to dip between 2% and 4% this year.
John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

The latest GDP report shows the economy's growing — and that trouble's ahead

Oct 27, 2022
Rising interest rates plus a strong dollar equals stiff economic headwinds.
While Thursday's GDP report is a positive, it looks backward, and the economy is facing powerful headwinds. 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Up, up, and away: Airfare ascends 43% in a year

Oct 13, 2022
A lot of people want to fly, and airlines have fewer seats to sell.
Increased passenger demand and staffing shortages are partially to blame for the surge in air travel costs.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Inflation is a subjective number

Oct 13, 2022
How much pain you feel paying your bills depends on what those bills are, and who you are.
For some consumers, increased spending at the grocery store is driving their inflation anxiety.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Holiday shopping will look different this year, with discounts coming early

Oct 10, 2022
Consumers can expect early and steep sales as retailers try to offload excessive inventory. Online shopping is expected to cool.
"Consumers are going to be seeing some of the best discounts they’ve seen in quite some time," said Vivek Pandya of Adobe Analytics. 
Scott Heins/Getty Images

The economy is acting weird. Not even economists can fully say why.

Sep 30, 2022
There are many contradictory economic trends these days, and history isn't providing its usual hints about what will happen next.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Companies plan to hire fewer seasonal workers this year

Sep 22, 2022
Retailers are worried that inflation and fear of a potential recession will impact holiday spending.
Walmart said it plans to hire 40,000 seasonal workers for the holidays this year. It brought on 150,000 in 2021.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images