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Retail numbers stay strong in March

Apr 16, 2012
Retail numbers faced their second month of strength in March, helped by the warm weather and the early Easter holiday.

Consumer Price Index bumps up, gas prices to blame

Mar 16, 2012
Consumer prices rose by the most in 10 months in February, and rising gas prices were to blame for most of that change.

As inflation rises this year, should we be worried?

Mar 16, 2012
The Consumer Price Index is out this morning. With higher consumer prices comes rising inflation, but how big of a threat is that to the average American's way of life?

New light bulb lexicon

Mar 1, 2012
New government guidelines are taking incandescent bulbs off the market, leaving us with compact fluorescents and LEDs. But now there's a new language for bulb shoppers to learn.

What consumer sentiment says about the economy

Feb 22, 2012
Richard Curtin of the Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index discusses how the survey gauges consumer hopes and expectations, and what it means in elections.

Chinese retiree leads crusade against fake products

Feb 20, 2012
A mild-mannered pensioner in China gains national attention for his grumpy-old-man approach to protecting consumers from fraudulent products.

January retail sales lower than expected

Feb 14, 2012
The government said this morning that retail sales inched up 0.4 percent last month. That was lower than expected.

For public good, not for profit.

Mid-day Extra: Cheaper in 2012

Jan 5, 2012
Economists are worrying about inflation in the coming year, but a few products will actually be cheaper. What should we buy in 2012?
Bottle of wine are categorised ready for tasting during the 'International Wine Challenge' event at the Barbican centre in London, England. Wine is one item that should actually drop in price in 2012.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Verizon announces new fee for some customers

Dec 30, 2011
A new fee will be hitting some Verizon users paying monthly bills with a credit card. That decision has already caused a bit of consumer backlash.

Consumers are spending, but still skittish

Dec 19, 2011
A new report shows Americans' feelings of financial security rebounded during November, but only back to the same levels as last year.