Discretionary Spending news and trends

Dollar General Earnings Show Changes in Paycheck-to-Paycheck Spend
Earnings // May 30, 2024

As a pulse check on the paycheck-to-paycheck consumer, Dollar General’s most recent Q1 earnings showed that one of the economy’s most closely watched demographic groups is still undergoing changes. By posting better-than-expected revenue, the 19,000-store chain showed more consumer visits compared to 2023, but a...

20% of Financially Unstable Consumers Cite Discretionary Spending as Reason
Consumer Insights // May 29, 2024

Nonessential spending is far from the No. 1 reason that consumers struggle with financial instability, but for a significant share of those living paycheck to paycheck, these nice-to-have purchases are at least partially to blame. By the Numbers The PYMNTS Intelligence study “New Reality Check:...

QVC Owner Courts 50+ Women as Revenues Slip
Earnings // May 08, 2024

With revenues sliding, Qurate Retail is focused on women over 50 and their discretionary income. The parent company of QVC and HSN on Wednesday (May 8) released quarterly earnings showing its revenues declining 4% year over year, contributing to an overall drop of 11%. Those figures mirrored the company’s quarterly report from...

Match Group Forecasts Revenue Below Analyst Estimates
Earnings // May 07, 2024

In a challenging market environment, Match Group, the parent company of dating apps Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, is reportedly expecting lower than estimated quarterly revenue. The Dallas-based company has been grappling with weaker discretionary spending by users amid an uncertain economy, Reuters reported Tuesday (May 7). Match Group said Tuesday that its revenue...

Interviews & Exclusives
Fed’s Beige Book Cites Weak Discretionary Spending

April 17, 2024
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. The assessments cover everything from auto loans to commercial real estate, and critically, a broad assessment of the state of the economy, with a nod toward consumer-related activity too. This […]

Millennials Worry Less About Inflation and More About Paying Back Student Loans

July 07, 2023
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 in life. The underlying assumption...

Quick Reads
Costco Mulls Raising Membership Fee, Add Warehouses Amid Rising Sales

May 30, 2024
Costco is weighing a raise in its membership fee, and plans to add new warehouses and expand partnerships amid rising sales, the retailer said Thursday (May 30) in its quarterly earnings report. During the quarter ended May 12, Costco’s net sales increased 9.1% year over year, while comparable sales rose 6.6%, according to a Thursday earnings […]

QVC Owner Courts 50+ Women as Revenues Slip

May 08, 2024
With revenues sliding, Qurate Retail is focused on women over 50 and their discretionary income. The parent company of QVC and HSN on Wednesday (May 8) released quarterly earnings showing its revenues declining 4% year over year,...

Match Group Forecasts Revenue Below Analyst Estimates

May 07, 2024
In a challenging market environment, Match Group, the parent company of dating apps Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, is reportedly expecting lower than estimated quarterly revenue. The Dallas-based company has been grappling with weaker discretionary spending by users...

Apparel Producers Prep for Shrinking Sales as Consumers Cut Back

June 19, 2023
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 significant declines in retailers’ holiday...