Jul 22, 2021

When fast-fashion becomes real-time fashion

Expanding Chinese clothing brand Shein prioritizes its web presence. Its "real-time fashion" model enables it to capture opportunities quickly. Antony Jones/Getty Images for Shein

Also on today's show: vaccine mandates in health care, rental bidding wars and why we believe economists' predictions when they seem to get it oh-so-wrong.

Segments From this episode

When economic predictions are wrong

by Marielle Segarra

Jul 22, 2021

When we tell you about economic news, we’re always saying things like "numbers were higher (or lower) than expected." How much, then, should we consider economists’ expectations?

A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic has thrown a wrench in economic forecasting, economists say.

Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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Did hiring pick up after states ended extra federal unemployment benefits?

by Kristin Schwab

Jul 22, 2021

What business owners are seeing, plus a look at unemployment and job search data.

Hiring results have been mixed in states where federal unemployment benefits have ended.

Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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COVID-19

More health care organizations impose vaccine mandates on workers

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Jul 22, 2021

There are obvious benefits to ensuring health care workers are vaccinated, but mandates have costs too.

India Medley, chief nursing officer at Howard University Hospital, receives the COVID-19 vaccine in December. Many patients expect their doctors and nurses to be vaccinated.

Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

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Rents are rising again, making it hard to find an apartment

by Andy Uhler

Jul 22, 2021

Bidding wars to rent? One would-be renter says that's going on in Houston, Texas.

While rents in urban areas dipped during the pandemic, they're climbing back up and inspiring rental bidding wars in some markets.

Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

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A California fix for rolling blackouts irks neighbors

by Lily Jamali

Jul 22, 2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved a California proposal that prioritizes its own power needs in a crunch.

Power lines running through Paradise, California on May 22, 2021.

Lily Jamali

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COVID-19

Is fast fashion catching up to real time?

by Kai Ryssdal and Minju Park

Jul 22, 2021

Shein, a fast-growing, China-based clothing brand, relies on a “real-time fashion” model that slashes the time from design to production.

Antony Jones/Getty Images for Shein

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Music from the episode

Butterflies Anchorsong

Horizon - Poolside Remix Tycho, Poolside

Social Insecurity Oddisee

Everyday Is a New Start Sun Glitters

Lemon Lime Emancipator, Cloudchord

Cuffed Nick Hakim

Wait for Me Swim Mountain

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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