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Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

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Nov 29, 2024

The cost of Christmas past

Nearly half of Americans still have debt from last year’s holiday season. Plus, low gas prices and a snapshot of China’s economy.

The cost of Christmas past — Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Segments From This Episode

The Weekly Wrap
by Kimberly Adams
“Marketplace” host Kimberly Adams talks with Jordyn Holman at the New York Times and Rachel Siegel at the Washington Post about holiday retail shopping, Trump’s proposed tariff policies, and the outlook on inflation
One more thing to give thanks for: lower gas prices
by Elizabeth Trovall
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
A sluggish crude oil market, moderate global demand and healthy U.S. refining capacity have combined to drive down fuel costs
China’s consumption is ticking up, but can it be sustained?
by Jennifer Pak
Charles Zhang/Marketplace
Retail sales growth was the highest in eight months in October, but the property slump continues.
Nearly half of Americans are still paying off 2023 holiday debt, survey says
by Samantha Fields
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
The proportion has doubled since last year. Amid constant advertising, more people have credit card balances and those balances are rising.
Home away from home: The history of college dormitories
by Sofia Terenzio
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
“You could teach the entire history of American architectural style just using dormitories,” says Carla Yanni of Rutgers University.

Music from the episode

The Team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer
Maria Hollenhorst Producer II
Andie Corban Producer I
Sarah Leeson Producer I
Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II
Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I
Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer
Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer