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Stories Tagged as

Consumers

What do different measures of inflation tell us?

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jun 30, 2022
The PCE and CPI measure different things, but the message they send to consumers may influence expectations — that then can affect inflation.
One thing that can really mess with what inflation is doing? What consumers think inflation will do.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Some prices take longer than others to drop — and longer than inflation

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 13, 2022
Some essentials — notably food — may may maintain their price strength. Appliances and furniture may come down quicker.
Meat prices have climbed 14% from a year ago, and it may take a while for those price gains to slow.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Return fees are happening because retailers are hurting

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 9, 2022
Americans sent back $760 billion worth of stuff last year. Now higher shipping costs and rising returns are hurting companies' bottom lines.
Zara is now charging customers in the U.K. when they return online purchases via mail. With rising shipping costs, other retailers may follow suit.
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images
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The chaotic story of inventory in today's economy

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jun 8, 2022
Wholesale inventories were up in April. But now, some stores have too much inventory while others struggle to get the inventory they need.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Retailers have an inventory problem as lockdown lifestyle fades

by Savannah Peters
Jun 7, 2022
As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.
The home goods section at a Target store. Now that consumers are getting out and about, stores are left with too much inventory.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Some companies have warned they'll earn less than expected. Here's why.

by Justin Ho
Jun 6, 2022
For some, it's about consumers spending less. For others, it's about other businesses spending less.
Snap recently lowered its revenue forecast as businesses rein in advertising.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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When consumers feel strapped, some brands do well anyway

by Kristin Schwab
May 27, 2022
Strong earnings from Nordstrom, Macy's and Dollar General suggest pent-up demand and a reframing of what people consider essential spending.
Dollar Tree said groceries made up a bigger part of its sales last quarter — which could spell trouble for retailers like Walmart and Target.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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What Apple and Amazon earnings may be able to tell us about this economy

by Andy Uhler
Apr 28, 2022
The consumer economy, in particular.
Traders are looking to the earnings reports of tech giants, like Apple and Amazon, to see how consumers are feeling and spending.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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Do consumers expect discounts when inflation is running hot?

by Meghan McCarty Carino
Feb 18, 2022
President's Day weekend is usually marked by sales. But both supply chain shortages and inflation are complicating the hunt for a bargain.
Walmart reported strong earnings this week, as consumers try to find bargains at a bargain-scarce time.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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Supply chains stressed by U.S. consumers buying up a storm

by Mitchell Hartman
Dec 13, 2021
Consumption of durable goods in the U.S. is well above pre-pandemic levels, exacerbating supply chain bottlenecks caused by the pandemic.
Wages are up. Inflation is up. And consumer demand? That's up, too.
Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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