inflation

University of Michigan Says Trade Disputes and High Prices Squeeze Consumer Sentiment
University of Michigan Says Trade Disputes and High Prices Squeeze Consumer Sentiment
September 28, 2026  |  Economy

Consumer sentiment slipped in September amid concerns about high prices and rekindled trade disputes, according to the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. The survey’s...

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Fed Data Shows Consumers Shift Spending Toward Homes and Vacations
Fed Data Shows Consumers Shift Spending Toward Homes and Vacations
September 21, 2026  |  Economy

Households continued to spend more in August, although at a slower rate than earlier in the year. The median reported year-over-year increase in monthly household...

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Big-Ticket Buyers Keep Retail’s Holiday Hopes Alive
Big-Ticket Buyers Keep Retail’s Holiday Hopes Alive
September 16, 2026  |  Economy

Consumers didn’t wait to shell out funds for cars, furniture and electronics in August. Retail sales rose 1.2% from July to $773.9 billion, reversing July’s...

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Consumers Feel Strained as Inflation Surpasses Wage Growth
Consumers Feel Strained as Inflation Surpasses Wage Growth
September 13, 2026  |  Economy

American consumers are facing added strain as inflation continues to outpace wage growth. “A substantial number of Americans are worse off, their incomes are not...

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Smallest Businesses Fall Behind as Main Street Goes Digital
Smallest Businesses Fall Behind as Main Street Goes Digital
September 07, 2026  |  SMBs

Labor Day finds Main Street approaching the fourth quarter with more ways to sell, get paid and source goods than it had four years ago....

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IKEA Cuts Prices in Europe as Cost-of-Living Pressures Persist
IKEA Cuts Prices in Europe as Cost-of-Living Pressures Persist
September 01, 2026  |  Retail

IKEA is reducing prices on 1,500-plus products in Europe amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The Swedish furniture retailer announced Tuesday (Sept. 1) that it was investing...

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Affirm CEO Sees Greater BNPL Demand as Gas Prices Climb
Affirm CEO Sees Greater BNPL Demand as Gas Prices Climb
August 30, 2026  |  BNPL

The head of buy now, pay later provider Affirm says gas prices are weighing on consumers. “The U.S. consumer undoubtedly sees the higher gas prices,...

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Dollar Tree Attracts Higher-Income Customers as Sales Climb 7%
Dollar Tree Attracts Higher-Income Customers as Sales Climb 7%
August 27, 2026  |  Earnings

Dollar Tree continues to attract middle-income and higher-income shoppers as consumers deal with inflation. The discount retailer reported earnings Thursday (Aug. 27) showing its total sales for...

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Consumers Gain Spending Power but Pull Back on Major Purchases
Consumers Gain Spending Power but Pull Back on Major Purchases
August 26, 2026  |  Economy

Inflation remained stubborn in July, but consumers got something they have not always had during the recent run-up in prices: income growth that gave them...

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