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Shopping

No matter the economy, beauty sells

by Trina Mannino
Mar 15, 2023
Consumers can’t get enough of makeup, skincare and hair products even as inflation persists and a potential recession looms.
Stubborn inflation and the threat of a recession may lead some shoppers to cut back on nonessential items, but that doesn’t apply to their favorite mascara or face mask.
Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Sephora
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In Butte, Montana, holiday shoppers "spent a lot, smiled a lot"

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban
Jan 11, 2023
Mall manager Alana Ferko is coming off a strong holiday shopping season coupled with new business from a Hollywood production.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
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As our online behavior changes, companies spend less ad money on Google and Meta

by Kristin Schwab
Jan 4, 2023
Part of the reason: Social media platforms like TikTok are changing the way we shop online.
While Google is still a big part of the ad business, people are turning to sites like Amazon "as a product search engine instead," said Sucharita Kodali, a retail analyst at Forrester.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
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This year, it's inflation, not contagion, that's driving online commerce

by Matt Levin
Dec 26, 2022
While growth in e-commerce is not as strong as it was at the height of the pandemic, shoppers are still going online to look for good deals.
Though many consumers continue to shop online, internet sales have slowed since their pandemic heights.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Americans are saving little — while they spend up a storm

by Samantha Fields
Dec 1, 2022
The personal saving rate declined in October to its lowest point since 2005. "A lot of people are close to the edge, unfortunately," an analyst says.
Consumers are increasingly dipping into their savings to pay for things — including basic expenses.
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
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Things are "awesome and amazing" at this Montana mall

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban
Jun 16, 2022
Alana Ferko explains what's new at the Butte Plaza Mall.
Tim Boyle/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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Industry shakeup signals change for grocery delivery

by Kristin Schwab
Jun 1, 2022
More people have gone back to shopping in person, but some pandemic behaviors have stuck.
A distribution center for Buyk, a grocery delivery app, in New York. Inflation and comfort with in-person shopping are hurting delivery services.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Consumers are spending on services again as the pandemic shopping spree for goods cools

by Sabri Ben-Achour
May 31, 2022
People want to get outside and do stuff, not just buy stuff. That's reflected in surging travel bookings — and airfare.
Consumers are still spending on big-ticket, durable goods like furniture. But now demand for services is picking up again.
Brandon Bell/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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