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Stories Tagged as

Consumers

Consumer credit is up almost 7% since this time last year

by Mitchell Hartman
Dec 8, 2022
Credit card balances alone were up 15% in the third quarter. Higher prices for necessities and higher interest rates are contributing factors.
Credit card balances alone were up 15% in the third quarter.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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Americans are saving little — while they spend up a storm

by Samantha Fields
Dec 1, 2022
The personal saving rate declined in October to its lowest point since 2005. "A lot of people are close to the edge, unfortunately," an analyst says.
Consumers are increasingly dipping into their savings to pay for things — including basic expenses.
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
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Consumers are worried about the economy. They're also spending up a storm.

by Mitchell Hartman
Nov 30, 2022
They don't like the inflation rate, but they do like the current job market.
The strong job market is keeping consumers’ wallets open, despite high prices and concerns about a possible upcoming recession.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
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What do different measures of inflation tell us?

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jun 30, 2022
The PCE and CPI measure different things, but the message they send to consumers may influence expectations — that then can affect inflation.
One thing that can really mess with what inflation is doing? What consumers think inflation will do.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Some prices take longer than others to drop — and longer than inflation

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 13, 2022
Some essentials — notably food — may may maintain their price strength. Appliances and furniture may come down quicker.
Meat prices have climbed 14% from a year ago, and it may take a while for those price gains to slow.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Return fees are happening because retailers are hurting

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 9, 2022
Americans sent back $760 billion worth of stuff last year. Now higher shipping costs and rising returns are hurting companies' bottom lines.
Zara is now charging customers in the U.K. when they return online purchases via mail. With rising shipping costs, other retailers may follow suit.
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images
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The chaotic story of inventory in today's economy

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jun 8, 2022
Wholesale inventories were up in April. But now, some stores have too much inventory while others struggle to get the inventory they need.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Retailers have an inventory problem as lockdown lifestyle fades

by Savannah Maher
Jun 7, 2022
As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.
The home goods section at a Target store. Now that consumers are getting out and about, stores are left with too much inventory.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Some companies have warned they'll earn less than expected. Here's why.

by Justin Ho
Jun 6, 2022
For some, it's about consumers spending less. For others, it's about other businesses spending less.
Snap recently lowered its revenue forecast as businesses rein in advertising.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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When consumers feel strapped, some brands do well anyway

by Kristin Schwab
May 27, 2022
Strong earnings from Nordstrom, Macy's and Dollar General suggest pent-up demand and a reframing of what people consider essential spending.
Dollar Tree said groceries made up a bigger part of its sales last quarter — which could spell trouble for retailers like Walmart and Target.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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