Republicans Say Spending Is Fueling Inflation. The Fed Chair Disagrees.

Jerome H. Powell has said that snarled supply chains, an oil shock following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifts among American consumers are primarily behind rapid price growth.

#american-rescue-plan-2021, #biden-joseph-r-jr, #consumer-behavior, #federal-budget-us, #federal-reserve-system, #house-of-representatives, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #powell-jerome-h, #republican-party, #stimulus-economic, #supply-chain, #united-states-economy, #united-states-politics-and-government

Why the Federal Reserve Won’t Commit

Facing huge economic uncertainty, the Fed is keeping its options open. Jerome H. Powell, its chair, will most likely continue that approach on Tuesday.

#banking-and-financial-institutions, #consumer-behavior, #dating-and-relationships, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #speeches-and-statements, #united-states-economy

Restaurant Chains Make It Cost More to Be Loyal

Recent changes to rewards programs at places like Dunkin’ and Starbucks mean customers must pay more before perks kick in. The companies blame inflation.

#chipotle-mexican-grill-inc, #consumer-behavior, #customer-loyalty-programs, #dunkin-donuts, #fast-food-industry, #restaurants, #starbucks-corporation

The Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge Sped Back Up

Inflation is down from its peak last summer, but recent readings have shown substantial and surprising staying power.

#consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #united-states-economy

From Pepsi to Ben & Jerry’s, Big Brands Keep Raising Prices and Stoking Inflation

Consumers continue to absorb significant price increases by PepsiCo, Unilever and others. The companies say that prices will remain high in the months to come.

#company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #inflation-economics, #pepsico-inc, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #proctergamble-co, #unilever-nv, #united-states-economy

The State of the U.S. Economy in 4 Numbers

A look at key figures and what they reveal about the current economic situation.

#audio-neutral-informative, #consumer-behavior, #inflation-economics, #layoffs-and-job-reductions, #united-states, #united-states-economy

Smaller Rate Increase by Federal Reserve Likely as Inflation Cools

America’s central bank is expected to raise rates by a quarter point on Wednesday. The question now is what comes next.

#banking-and-financial-institutions, #consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #powell-jerome-h, #united-states-economy, #wages-and-salaries

Consumer Spending Slid Again in December

Fresh data offered more detail on how shoppers retrenched at the end of 2022.

#consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #united-states-economy

U.S. Economy Grew at 2.9% Annual Rate in Fourth Quarter

The continued growth in the fourth quarter showed the resilience of consumers and businesses in the face of rising inflation and interest rates.

#commerce-department, #consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #federal-reserve-system, #gross-domestic-product, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #international-trade-and-world-market, #recession-and-depression, #united-states-economy

Inflation Is Cooling, Leaving America Asking: What Comes Next?

After six months of declines, inflation seems to be turning a corner. But the road back to normal is an uncertain one.

#consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #united-states-economy

US Added 223,000 Jobs in December, a Slight Easing in Pace

The Federal Reserve’s moves to cool the economy with higher interest rates seem to be taking gentle hold. Wage growth lost momentum.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #hiring-and-promotion, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #labor-department-us, #recession-and-depression, #unemployment, #united-states-economy, #wages-and-salaries

Tesla Car Sales Grow Slower Than Expected, Amplifying Concerns

Wall Street has grown decidedly pessimistic about Tesla, fearful that Elon Musk, its chief executive, is too focused on Twitter.

#automobiles, #china, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #electric-and-hybrid-vehicles, #factories-and-manufacturing, #musk-elon, #stocks-and-bonds, #tesla-motors-inc, #united-states

Why It’s Hard to Predict What the Economy Will Look Like in 2023

Years into the pandemic, it is still difficult to get a handle on what comes next for the economy by looking at examples from the past.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #mortgages, #powell-jerome-h, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #real-estate-and-housing-residential, #recession-and-depression, #shortages, #united-states-economy, #wages-and-salaries

Once You See the Truth About Cars, You Can’t Unsee It

Cars promised liberation. They delivered something very different.

#automobile-financing, #automobiles, #banking-and-financial-institutions, #biden-joseph-r-jr, #black-people, #consumer-behavior, #credit-and-debt, #credit-scores, #debt-collection, #discrimination, #driverless-and-semiautonomous-vehicles, #electric-and-hybrid-vehicles, #income-inequality, #inflation-reduction-act-of-2022, #personal-finances, #police, #police-brutality-misconduct-and-shootings, #prisons-and-prisoners, #race-and-ethnicity, #racial-profiling, #roads-and-traffic, #traffic-accidents-and-safety, #traffic-and-parking-violations, #transit-systems, #united-states-chamber-of-commerce

Inflation Forecasts Were Wrong Last Year. Should We Believe Them Now?

Economists misjudged how much staying power inflation would have. Next year could be better — but there’s ample room for humility.

#consumer-behavior, #consumer-price-index, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #powell-jerome-h, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #supply-chain, #united-states-economy, #wages-and-salaries

How Will China Turn Its Economy Back On? The World Is About to Find Out.

Strict “zero Covid” curbs have been smothering growth. After easing them, Beijing faces the twin challenges of rising caseloads and wary consumers.

#china, #consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #international-trade-and-world-market, #shanghai-china

U.S. Gas Prices Are Now Lower Than a Year Ago

A visible symbol of inflation for much of the year, prices at the pump have been driven down by reduced global demand and tumbling oil prices.

#consumer-behavior, #inflation-economics, #oil-petroleum-and-gasoline, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #united-states-economy

The Personal Saving Rate Can’t Stay This Low Forever.

The party is almost over. That will have serious consequences for the U.S. economy.

#budgets-and-budgeting, #consumer-behavior, #income, #internal-sub-only-nl, #labor-and-jobs, #personal-finances, #savings, #united-states-economy

Why Retailers Are Trying Extra Hard to Woo Holiday Shoppers

With an economic slowdown a distinct possibility, stores hope customers’ willingness to open their wallets will last through the season.

#black-friday-and-cyber-monday-shopping, #consumer-behavior, #discount-selling, #federal-reserve-system, #holidays-and-special-occasions, #inflation-economics, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #recession-and-depression, #shopping-and-retail, #united-states-economy

A Holiday Season Divided by Inflation and Economic Struggles

Even if policymakers achieve a gentle economic slowdown, it won’t be smooth for everyone.

#catholic-charities, #consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #credit-and-debt, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #labor-and-jobs, #personal-finances, #poverty, #powell-jerome-h, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #shopping-and-retail, #thanksgiving-day, #united-states, #united-states-economy, #wages-and-salaries

Billions of Dollars at Stake in a Puzzling Holiday Shopping Season

It promises to be unpredictable, with retailers and consumers still figuring out how much will be spent and on what kinds of goods.

#amazon-com-inc, #black-friday-and-cyber-monday-shopping, #consumer-behavior, #discount-selling, #e-commerce, #gifts, #holidays-and-special-occasions, #luxury-goods-and-services, #national-retail-federation, #shopping-and-retail, #supply-chain, #target-corporation

Thanksgiving and Inflation: The Cost of the Holiday This Year

Holiday costs from groceries to travel are up, and consumers have been willing to pay them.

#agriculture-department, #american-farm-bureau-federation, #apple-tv, #bureau-of-labor-statistics, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #daymon-worldwide-inc, #deloitte-touche-tohmatsu-ltd, #inflation-economics, #netflix-inc, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #supermarkets-and-grocery-stores, #supply-chain, #thanksgiving-day, #travel-and-vacations, #turkeys, #united-states-economy

Beyond Meat Is Struggling, and the Plant-Based Meat Industry Worries

A few years ago, business was booming. That growth has slowed, with some wondering if the number of consumers has reached its limit.

#beyond-meat-inc, #consumer-behavior, #fast-food-industry, #food, #impossible-foods-inc, #jbs-sa, #meat, #panda-restaurant-group-inc, #veganism, #vegetarianism

US Shoppers Are Still Spending, as Long as Retailers Give Them a Reason

Retail sales rose last month, and several companies reported strong earnings. But discounts seemed to drive a significant portion of purchases.

#black-friday-and-cyber-monday-shopping, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #cornell-brian-c, #shopping-and-retail, #target-corporation, #walmart-stores-inc

On Alibaba’s Singles Day, Shopping Baskets Are Filled With Chinese Brands

As geopolitical and economic pressures mount, homegrown businesses are increasingly the preferred choice over Western competitors in a more insular China.

#alibaba-group-holding-ltd, #boycotts, #china, #communist-party-of-china, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #e-commerce, #shopping-and-retail

Big Tobacco Heralds a Healthier World While Fighting Its Arrival

The industry continues to back smoking protections, like this November’s ballot initiative in California that would overturn a law banning tobacco flavors.

#altria-group-inc, #british-american-tobacco-plc, #consumer-behavior, #e-cigarettes, #food-and-drug-administration, #hazardous-and-toxic-substances, #juul-labs-inc, #medicine-and-health, #menthol, #nicotine, #philip-morris-companies-inc, #recalls-and-bans-of-products, #regulation-and-deregulation-of-industry, #reynolds-r-j-tobacco-co, #smoking-and-tobacco, #suits-and-litigation-civil

Corporate America Has a Message for the Fed About Inflation

If Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell and his colleagues look at company earnings reports, these themes might catch their eye.

#3m-company, #alphabet-inc, #american-express-company, #chipotle-mexican-grill-inc, #colgate-palmolive-company, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #google-inc, #hilton-worldwide-holdings-inc, #income-inequality, #inflation-economics, #intel-corporation, #interest-rates, #kimberly-clark-corporation, #pepsico-inc, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #united-states, #united-states-economy

Amazon Earnings: Return to Profitability But Slow Growth Signaled Ahead

The e-commerce giant, which also turned a profit in its latest quarter, indicated sales in the holiday period might rise at their lowest level since 2001.

#amazon-com-inc, #cloud-computing, #company-reports, #computers-and-the-internet, #consumer-behavior, #e-commerce, #jassy-andrew-r

GDP Rose in 3rd Quarter, but US Recession Fears Persist

Gross domestic product increased 0.6 percent after two quarters of decline, but key components continue to show an economic slowdown.

#commerce-department, #consumer-behavior, #factories-and-manufacturing, #federal-reserve-system, #gross-domestic-product, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #international-trade-and-world-market, #recession-and-depression, #united-states-economy

Why the Price of Gas Has Such Power Over Us

“When prices go up, we have this feeling of oppression that we can’t do everything we want.”

#automobiles, #consumer-behavior, #midterm-elections-2022, #oil-petroleum-and-gasoline, #polls-and-public-opinion, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #united-states-economy

Airlines Cash In as Flexible Work Changes Travel Patterns

Untethered from desks, passengers are flying more often and in different ways. Carriers expect the new habits to endure, despite economic uncertainty.

#airlines-and-airplanes, #american-airlines, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #delta-air-lines-inc, #travel-and-vacations, #united-airlines, #united-states-economy

U.K. Inflation Rises to 10.1 Percent, Driven by Food Prices

After easing slightly the previous month, inflation continued rising in September, heightening the country’s cost-of-living crisis.

#bank-of-england, #consumer-behavior, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #great-britain, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #international-monetary-fund, #politics-and-government, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates

Retailers’ Holiday Wish: That Cash-Strapped Shoppers Will Spend

Retailers have navigated pandemic closures and supply chain snarls in recent years. But dealing with the fallout from inflation could be an even tougher test.

#amazon-com-inc, #best-buy-company-inc, #black-friday-and-cyber-monday-shopping, #budgets-and-budgeting, #consumer-behavior, #discount-selling, #e-commerce, #gifts, #inflation-economics, #shopping-and-retail, #target-corporation, #ulta-beauty-inc, #united-states-economy

The Golden Age of Dispensary Interior Design Is Almost Here

As cannabis legalization has become more widespread, retailers are getting increasingly serious about the design and branding of their shops.

#consumer-behavior, #design, #dispensaries, #dispensary, #marijuana, #real-estate-commercial, #shopping-and-retail

Inflation was much hotter than expected, bad news for the Fed.

Inflation rose quickly in September and a key measure accelerated to the fastest pace since 1982, underlining the persistence of price increases.

#consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #united-states-economy

What Are Your Holiday Shopping Plans? We Want to Know.

Tell us about deals, budgets, wish lists and game plans for this holiday season, which promises to be challenging for retailers and customers alike.

#christmas, #consumer-behavior, #holidays-and-special-occasions, #internal-open-access, #shopping-and-retail

New PCE Inflation Data Shows Prices Remain Stubbornly High

Inflation remains far above the Federal Reserve’s goal, and prices climbed more quickly than economists expected in August.

#consumer-behavior, #inflation-economics, #labor-and-jobs, #united-states-economy

New Inflation Data Shows Prices Remain Stubbornly High

Inflation remains far above the Federal Reserve’s goal, and prices climbed more quickly than economists expected in August.

#consumer-behavior, #inflation-economics, #labor-and-jobs, #united-states-economy

Factory Jobs Are Booming Like It’s the 1970s

U.S. manufacturing is experiencing a rebound, with companies adding workers amid high consumer demand for products.

#american-rescue-plan-2021, #biden-joseph-r-jr, #consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #factories-and-manufacturing, #international-trade-and-world-market, #labor-and-jobs, #national-assn-of-manufacturers, #recession-and-depression, #supply-chain, #united-states-economy

How the Car Market Is Shedding Light on a Key Inflation Question

How easily companies give up swollen profits could determine how easily the Federal Reserve can cool inflation. Dealerships offer clues.

#automobiles, #consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #shortages, #supply-chain, #united-states-economy, #used-cars

Lots of Food Gets Tossed. These Food-Waste Apps Let You Buy It, Cheap.

Several companies say they are tackling food waste by connecting people with unsold food from restaurants and grocery stores.

#consumer-behavior, #food, #food-insecurity, #global-warming, #greenhouse-gas-emissions, #mobile-applications, #restaurants, #supermarkets-and-grocery-stores

Inflation Came in Faster Than Expected in August Even as Gas Prices Fell

Overall inflation moderated less than anticipated, and a closely watched measure of price pressures jumped, bad news for the Federal Reserve.

#consumer-behavior, #federal-reserve-system, #inflation-economics, #interest-rates, #oil-petroleum-and-gasoline, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #united-states-economy, #united-states-politics-and-government

Trying to Sell Your Old Peloton Bike? So Is Peloton.

As its business slumps, Peloton is trying something new: selling its bikes to “value-minded” customers. It faces stiff competition.

#barry-mccarthy, #bicycles-and-bicycling, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #discount-selling, #exercise, #peloton-interactive-inc, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates

Why Totino’s Needs 25 Ways to Make Pizza Rolls

As supply chain delays and rising costs made individual ingredients harder to procure, food companies had to become very flexible.

#consumer-behavior, #containers-and-packaging, #food, #food-and-drug-administration, #general-mills-inc, #labeling-and-labels-product, #shortages, #supply-chain

Biden’s Student Loan Plan Sets Off Fierce Debate Among Economists

Liberals and more moderate Democrats are arguing over the impact on inflation, the federal budget deficit and high earners.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #consumer-behavior, #economics-theory-and-philosophy, #federal-budget-us, #inflation-economics, #national-debt-us, #personal-finances, #politics-and-government, #student-loans, #united-states-economy

Buy Now, Pay Later: Going Into Debt for Groceries

Americans are increasingly turning to “buy now, pay later” services for food and other everyday essentials. And there are signs that the practice is putting some in deep debt.

#afterpay-touch-group-ltd, #banking-and-financial-institutions, #computers-and-the-internet, #consumer-behavior, #credit-and-debt, #food, #inflation-economics, #klarna-ab, #personal-finances, #restaurants, #united-states

We Can’t Just Throw Bigger Batteries at Electric Vehicles

There are better ways to use batteries than putting them in premium EVs.

#batteries, #consumer-behavior, #electric-and-hybrid-vehicles, #supply-chain

Here Are the Challenges Ahead for California’s Ban on Gas Cars

Enforcement could be complex and legal challenges are likely. But ultimately, experts say, success or failure will depend on steady supply and buyers’ appetite.

#air-pollution, #automobiles, #batteries, #california, #california-air-resources-board, #consumer-behavior, #electric-and-hybrid-vehicles, #environmental-protection-agency, #fuel-emissions-transportation, #global-warming, #greenhouse-gas-emissions, #massachusetts, #new-york-state, #oil-petroleum-and-gasoline, #oregon, #regulation-and-deregulation-of-industry, #washington-state

Red-Hot Warehouse Market Tested as Consumer Spending Slows

A slowdown in consumer spending in conjunction with an uptick in construction may spoil the favorable conditions that allowed owners to expand and raise rates.

#consumer-behavior, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #e-commerce, #real-estate-commercial, #supply-chain, #united-states-economy, #warehouses

Retailers Stumble Adjusting to More Selective Shoppers

In earnings reports this week, companies showed it has been a struggle to adapt to a consumer mind-set that is vastly different from what it was during much of the pandemic.

#bjs-wholesale-club-inc, #company-reports, #consumer-behavior, #discount-selling, #kohls-corporation, #prices-fares-fees-and-rates, #ross-stores-inc, #shopping-and-retail, #target-corporation, #tjx, #united-states-economy, #walmart-stores-inc