Consumer Insights

Fed Beige Book Signals Margin Squeeze for Consumer Brands
Consumer Insights
Fed Beige Book Signals Margin Squeeze for Consumer Brands
June 03, 2026

Americans are facing growing affordability pressures, and companies are having mixed results in passing on higher costs, the Federal Reserve said in its May Beige Book released Wednesday (June 3). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all...

Financial Stress Is Changing What Consumers Value in Credit Cards
Consumer Insights
Financial Stress Is Changing What Consumers Value in Credit Cards
June 02, 2026

What U.S. consumers ask of their credit cards has changed. For financially stressed households, it has little to do with rewards. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

The Cautious Consumer May Be Retail’s Most Valuable Customer
Consumer Insights
The Cautious Consumer May Be Retail’s Most Valuable Customer
June 01, 2026

For merchants, the most important consumer in 2026 may be the shopper who still says yes, but rarely says yes quickly. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

Lenders Have Been Reading Subprime Consumers All Wrong
Consumer Insights
Lenders Have Been Reading Subprime Consumers All Wrong
May 29, 2026

A new PYMNTS Intelligence report suggests the most important shift in consumer credit may not be happening among prime borrowers at all. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional...

The Work Schedule Behind a $20 Billion Paycheck Problem
Consumer Insights
The Work Schedule Behind a $20 Billion Paycheck Problem
May 29, 2026

“The Schedule Shock: How Unstable Hours Turn Paychecks Into Guesswork” is the May 2026 edition of the Wage to Wallet Index, a PYMNTS Intelligence and WorkWhile collaboration. The report examines how unstable work schedules affect income stability, household finances and career mobility among Labor Economy...

Banks Push Upstream as Consumers Brace for Higher Costs
Consumer Insights
Banks Push Upstream as Consumers Brace for Higher Costs
May 27, 2026

Consumers are preparing for higher costs before those costs fully hit their wallets. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today....

Younger Consumers Juggle More Ways to Pay the Bills
Consumer Insights
Younger Consumers Juggle More Ways to Pay the Bills
May 27, 2026

Consumers are not just cutting back. Many, especially younger adults, are layering one money move on top of another to keep up with everyday costs. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content...

51% of Struggling Consumers Are Paid by the Hour
Consumer Insights
51% of Struggling Consumers Are Paid by the Hour
May 26, 2026

The paycheck-to-paycheck economy is becoming less about spending habits and more about the way Americans get paid. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our...

American Consumers Pressured as Rising Prices Erase Tax Refunds
Consumer Insights
American Consumers Pressured as Rising Prices Erase Tax Refunds
May 25, 2026

U.S. consumers are reportedly facing increased financial pressure as tax refunds peter out. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today....