Jul 30, 2021

With surge of delta variant, will downtowns become ghost towns again?

Some companies have delayed their planned returns to the office, and more may follow. Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Plus, the weekly wrap, an understaffed tourist destination and how the delta contagion could restrain consumer spending.

Segments From this episode

The Weekly Wrap

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal is joined by ADP’S Nela Richardson and Yahoo Finance’s Brian Cheung to chat about transitory inflation, the debt ceiling and what “macroeconomic time” means for the Fed.

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COVID-19

How much does the delta variant threaten the economic recovery?

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Jul 30, 2021

Delta could slow the economy in two main ways: Governments could restrict consumers — again — or consumers could restrict themselves.

Traders wear face masks at the New York Stock Exchange. The contagiousness of the delta coronavirus variant could restrain consumer spending.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Will the delta variant delay the return to downtown?

by Matt Levin

Jul 30, 2021

In New York, the occupancy rate for commercial office space has been rising, but the delta variant may thwart that revival.

Some companies have delayed their planned returns to the office, and more may follow.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

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How sensitive are people to price hikes?

by Marielle Segarra

Jul 30, 2021

There is a usually a limit on how much consumers will pay for a given product. But figuring out what that limit is not easy.

Procter & Gamble, maker of Tide laundry detergent, reported expectation-breaking earnings Friday morning but warned of future product price hikes.

Joe Raedle via Getty Images

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My Economy

Trade is still a mess, and that's keeping this customs broker busy

by Sean McHenry

Jul 30, 2021

Gretchen Blough, a customs broker at Logistics Plus in Erie, Pennsylvania, said that the ships, trucks, tariffs and supply shortages are peppering the shipping industry.

Containers stacked in the Port of Los Angeles on April 19, 2021.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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This summer on Cape Cod, longer lines and help wanted signs

by Samantha Fields

Jul 30, 2021

Almost every restaurant and business is understaffed this summer. At the same time, there are more tourists on the Cape than ever.

At Mac’s on the Pier in Wellfleet, waiting in line has always been part of the experience. But according to the owner, waits have peaked from an hour and a half to five hours this summer.

Samantha Fields

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Music from the episode

Tech Romance Her Space Holiday

4/17/1975 Rob Viktum

It’s Only (feat. Zyra) ODESZA, Zyra

Autumn Sweater Yo La Tengo

Finally Moving Pretty Lights

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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