Category: Consumer Behavior

Consumer Spending, Engine of the U.S. Economy, Is Under Strain

Higher fuel costs are raising food and travel prices, while a shaky stock market tamps down free spenders.
How Airlines Turned First-Class Seats From Freebies to a Profit Engine

Airlines used to give away most of their nicest seats, but they have increasingly found ways to persuade people to pay a lot for them.
Fed’s Inflation Woes Preceded the War With Iran

An energy shock stemming from the fighting has added a layer of complexity to the Federal Reserve’s decision-making around interest rates.
Six Flags Was a Summer Destination. Can It Win Families Back?

There has never been more competition in the leisure industry, as Disney and niche parks appeal to young families and high-income visitors.
Allbirds, Once Silicon Valley’s Favorite Shoe, Sells for $39 Million

Despite once being valued at $4 billion, the company that made sneakers from Merino wool struggled to capture a wide customer base and turn a profit.
He Was Supposed to Break Up Kraft and Heinz. He Changed His Mind.

Steve Cahillane, a food industry veteran, is trying to revive the company behind Kool-Aid, Oscar Mayer and many other brands.
Resurgent Inflation Tests Faith in Fed’s Willingness to Tame It

The war in the Middle East risks worsening an inflation problem that the Federal Reserve has struggled for years to subdue.
The U.S. Economy Is Insulated From High Oil Prices. Americans Aren’t.

The overall economy has proved resilient in recent years, even as many households have struggled. The war with Iran is following the same pattern.
Plus-Size Southwest Passengers Say New Extra-Seat Policy Has Led to Fat Shaming

Since the airline changed its policy on larger passengers this year, travelers say agents have publicly scrutinized their bodies and made them buy extra seats.
For Trump, a Promised Economic Boom Collides With the Costs of War

President Trump had envisioned a growing economy and improving fortunes for American families in 2026. That appears at risk in his war with Iran.
America Depends Less on Oil Than Ever

Gasoline still drives household budgets, but energy efficiency and renewables have reduced the economy’s overall reliance on petroleum.
How the Iran War Could Hit Americans’ Wallets

Gas prices are rising, with the cost of food likely to follow. If the conflict drags on, the fallout for consumers could worsen, experts warned.