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Kristin Schwab

Reporter

SHORT BIO

Kristin Schwab is a reporter at Marketplace focusing on the consumer economy. She's based in Brooklyn, New York.

Before Marketplace, Kristin produced narrative and news podcasts for The New York Times, New York Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. She teaches audio journalism at her alma mater, Columbia Journalism School.

Kristin also has a BFA in dance from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After performing with ballet and modern companies, she got her start in journalism as an editor at Dance Magazine. Kristin grew up in Minnesota and has been a bit reporting obsessed since watching the '90s PBS show "Ghostwriter" as a kid. Yes, she had one of those necklace pens and a marbled composition notebook.

Episodes by Kristin (33)

Marketplace

Santa's warehouse workers

Nov 22, 2024
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Marketplace

Tupperware, Halloween candy, claw machines — oh my!

Oct 25, 2024
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Marketplace

Women deserve credit

Oct 21, 2024
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Marketplace

The economics of immigration

Sep 5, 2024
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Make Me Smart | Episode 1236

Harris throws a bone to the business folks

Sep 5, 2024
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Marketplace

Who's still hiring?

Sep 4, 2024
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Marketplace

The politics of Fed independence

Aug 9, 2024
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Marketplace

This back-to-school season, "value" is at the top of America's shopping list

Aug 8, 2024
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Marketplace

Has the Fed ever met its 2 goals?

Aug 7, 2024
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Marketplace

Why we freak out when the stock market freaks out

Aug 6, 2024
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Latest Stories (554)

Why restaurants are on the private equity menu

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 19, 2024
Blackstone buys a majority stake in sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s. Fast-casual is a growing segment of the enormous but risky restaurant trade.
Blackstone has acquired majority ownership of Jersey Mike’s, a sandwich chain with about 3,000 locations.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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As winter holidays loom, retailers prepare for cautious holiday spending

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 18, 2024
The earlier, deeper discounts could mean retailers are a bit anxious.
Some retailers are already offering Black Friday discounts.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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If Home Depot is a bellwether, the economy's not too bad

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 12, 2024
The home improvement retailer's third-quarter sales came in higher than expected, but the company is seeing caution among consumers.
Home Depot's 12-foot skeletons for Halloween were popular this year, but consumers have been less eager to make purchases of items over $1,000 than in 2023.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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Are the Fed's efforts to lower inflation stalling?

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 11, 2024
Economists predict inflation will stay at the same level as the last few months, just above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Does it matter?
Chair Jay Powell "left the door open" on whether the Federal Reserve will cut rates again at its next meeting, says former Fed official Bill English.
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
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Trump's Second Term

U.S. importers seek to load up ahead of tariffs

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 7, 2024
It’s unclear when or if tariffs are coming, but some businesses are increasing their overseas orders ahead of Trump's inauguration.
If President-elect Donald Trump keeps his campaign promise on tariffs, businesses would have to pay higher taxes and would likely pass those costs down to consumers.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Election 2024

More tariffs may be coming under Trump

by Kristin Schwab
Nov 6, 2024
Here's what tariffs on goods from China and elsewhere have already meant for businesses and consumers since his first term.
In the past, tariffs have raised prices for American consumers and businesses.
Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
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Strong consumer spending continues to bolster GDP

by Kristin Schwab
Oct 30, 2024
GDP grew at a healthy 2.8% pace. Current spending levels may provide a welcome "not too hot, not too cold" scenario for the Federal Reserve.
Consumer spending may be at a level that balances a healthy job market with stable prices.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
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Look for predictability in the Fed's interest rate decision next week

by Kristin Schwab
Oct 29, 2024
While there's a lot of new economic data coming out between now and then, it will probably be relevant for later Fed meetings.
The Fed under Chair Jerome Powell, above, has a pattern: Set expectations and follow through.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
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Candy makers, spooked by cocoa prices, go gummy for Halloween

by Kristin Schwab and Sofia Terenzio
Oct 25, 2024
Candy companies are producing more gummy and chewy treats, saving money and appealing to the tastes of younger consumers.
Along with the high cost of cocoa, consumer preferences have spurred the shift to gummy and chewy candies, says Jaclyn Peiser of The Washington Post.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Inflation is coming down, but prices won't

by Kristin Schwab
Oct 3, 2024
Generally once prices rise, they don't go back down.
Despite lowering inflation, lowering prices mean other costs for business owners.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images
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