A closely watched measure of price increases provided encouraging news as the Fed considers when to stop raising rates.
Category: Consumer Behavior
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People Bought Crocs During the Pandemic. They Haven’t Stopped.
While other brands that thrived with customers in quarantine have dropped off, sales of the easily slipped-on clogs are up nearly 200 percent since 2019.
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Republicans Say Spending Is Fueling Inflation. The Fed Chair Disagrees.
Jerome H. Powell has said that snarled supply chains, an oil shock following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifts among American consumers are primarily behind rapid price growth.
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Why the Federal Reserve Won’t Commit
Facing huge economic uncertainty, the Fed is keeping its options open. Jerome H. Powell, its chair, will most likely continue that approach on Tuesday.
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Restaurant Chains Make It Cost More to Be Loyal
Recent changes to rewards programs at places like Dunkin’ and Starbucks mean customers must pay more before perks kick in. The companies blame inflation.
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The Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge Sped Back Up
Inflation is down from its peak last summer, but recent readings have shown substantial and surprising staying power.
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Fed Minutes Showed Policymakers Were Still Intent on Easing Inflation
Federal Reserve officials thought they needed to do more to cool the economy even before a series of strong data releases in recent weeks.
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Retail Sales Surge as Prices Rise and Shoppers Keep Buying
Consumer spending jumped in January, which was good news for retailers but could weigh on the Federal Reserve’s efforts to tame rapid inflation.
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Big Brands Keep Raising Prices, With Limited Shopper Resistance
Consumers continue to absorb significant price increases by PepsiCo, Unilever and others. The companies say that prices will remain high in the months to come.
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Smaller Rate Increase by Federal Reserve Likely as Inflation Cools
America’s central bank is expected to raise rates by a quarter point on Wednesday. The question now is what comes next.
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Consumer Spending Slid Again in December
Fresh data offered more detail on how shoppers retrenched at the end of 2022.
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U.S. Economy Grew at 2.9% Annual Rate in Fourth Quarter
Activity at the end of last year showed the resilience of American consumers and businesses in the face of rising inflation and interest rates.