discretionary spending

Fed’s Beige Book Cites Weak Discretionary Spending
Fed’s Beige Book Cites Weak Discretionary Spending
April 17, 2024  |  Economy

Eight times each year the Fed publishes what’s known as the Beige Book — a qualitative take from each of the 12 federal bank districts....

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Levi’s Cuts Prices as Consumers Cut Spending  
Levi’s Cuts Prices as Consumers Cut Spending  
July 10, 2023  |  Retail

The story of consumer cutbacks on discretionary items, like apparel and beauty products, continues. But a new narrative is starting to emerge, as brands and...

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Millennials Worry Less About Inflation and More About Paying Back Student Loans
Millennials Worry Less About Inflation and More About Paying Back Student Loans
July 07, 2023  |  Loans

United States consumers take out student loans in hopes that a college education for their children or themselves will contribute to a higher income later...

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Walgreens Attributes Disappointing Results to Cautious Consumer Behavior 
Walgreens Attributes Disappointing Results to Cautious Consumer Behavior 
June 28, 2023  |  Retail

The story of the cautious consumer continues as Walgreens reflects on its latest quarterly earnings.   On Tuesday (June 27), after the company issued a warning...

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Apparel Producers Prep for Shrinking Sales as Consumers Cut Back
Apparel Producers Prep for Shrinking Sales as Consumers Cut Back
June 19, 2023  |  Retail

Clothing brands are reportedly cutting back on orders in anticipation of weakening sales. As Bloomberg News reported Friday (June 16), factory owners say they’ve seen...

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Apparel and Beauty Retailers Slash Prices in Response to Disappointing Earnings
Apparel and Beauty Retailers Slash Prices in Response to Disappointing Earnings
June 13, 2023  |  Retail

It has been another rough quarter for nearly all merchants and retailers, but especially for businesses whose main sales center around nonessential items. Target’s much-anticipated quarterly...

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Nordstrom Defies Retail Slump With Surprising Quarterly Profit and Strong Revenue Growth 
Nordstrom Defies Retail Slump With Surprising Quarterly Profit and Strong Revenue Growth 
June 01, 2023  |  Retail

In the previous quarter, PYMNTS dubbed Nordstrom’s strategy of excessive discounting as the “big blue mistake.” However, on Wednesday (May 31), the retailer has proven...

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Costco Reports Sales Growth Slows as Consumers Reduce Discretionary Purchases
Costco Reports Sales Growth Slows as Consumers Reduce Discretionary Purchases
May 25, 2023  |  Retail

Costco’s comparable sales growth has slowed as consumers reduce their purchases of discretionary items. The membership warehouse club’s comp sales rose 0.3% year over year...

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Retail Spending’s Headline Rebound Masks Pullback on Discretionary Items
Retail Spending’s Headline Rebound Masks Pullback on Discretionary Items
May 16, 2023  |  Consumer Insights

The retail data released Tuesday (May 16) by the Commerce Department shows a reversal in consumer spending after two months of declines. But one headline...

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