Dec 23, 2024

A “much more budget-sensitive” holiday shopping season

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

It's "not a blowout holiday season, but it's not a crash either," estimates economist Julia Coronado.

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Holiday spending meets the 2023 calendar

by David Brancaccio

Retail sales went up 3.7% in the year through November, suggesting shopping is running strong this holiday season. But a Gallup survey finds that middle-class families are spending less.

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A former Treasury official picked for key adviser position

by Nova Safo

The NFL crowd has their Patrick Mahomes. We economics reporters like to follow the chair of the president’s Council of Economic Advisers. Currently, that position is filled by Jared Bernstein under President Joe Biden. And we recently learned that hedge fund strategist Stephen Miran will do this for Donald Trump.

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One doozy of an Advent celebration

by Guy De Launey

For people who want to get super-Christmasy, there’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania founded on Christmas Eve 1741. And there’s Branson, Missouri with 1,500 Christmas trees. Then, there’s Croatia, home to a big, big, big Advent Market.

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Nic Perez Director/Producer

Dylan Miettinen Digital Producer

John Bruington Media Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Naomi Rainey Producer, BBC

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