Recession

‘Downward Revisions’ to Consumer Spending, Jobless Claims Cloud  Merchants’ Outlook
‘Downward Revisions’ to Consumer Spending, Jobless Claims Cloud Merchants’ Outlook
March 30, 2023  |  Economy

Economic data can be a work in progress — refined, revised and re-presented to better understand where things stand. For merchants, the big picture got...

READ MORE >
Inflation and Double-Digit Volume Declines Push FedEx to Realign Its Air Operations
Inflation and Double-Digit Volume Declines Push FedEx to Realign Its Air Operations
March 16, 2023  |  Delivery

In the face of macro headwinds, FedEx is pulling on the operational levers it can pull. And that involves throttling back on some operations —...

READ MORE >
Retailers Forecast ‘Very, Very Soft’ 2023 Outlooks
Retailers Forecast ‘Very, Very Soft’ 2023 Outlooks
March 05, 2023  |  Retail

Last week was one of good news and ominous news for U.S. retailers. The good: They were able to present better-than-anticipated earnings as shoppers continued...

READ MORE >
Rebranded Rent-A-Center Sees BNPL as Complementary to Long-Term Growth at Upbound
Rebranded Rent-A-Center Sees BNPL as Complementary to Long-Term Growth at Upbound
February 23, 2023  |  Retail

A tough economy hits hardest for those with lower incomes and poor to no credit, which is where rent-to-own and lease-to-own can be a lifesaver...

READ MORE >
Report: January Job Cuts Were Highest Since 2020
Report: January Job Cuts Were Highest Since 2020
February 02, 2023  |  Personnel

The wave of layoffs announced by employers last month was the highest since 2020. U.S. based companies cut 102,943 jobs in January, a 136% increase...

READ MORE >
The Conference Board: Consumers’ Short-Term Outlook May Signal Coming Recession 
The Conference Board: Consumers’ Short-Term Outlook May Signal Coming Recession 
January 31, 2023  |  Economy

Consumer confidence dipped in January after rising in December, according to The Conference Board. The not-for-profit think tank said in a Tuesday (Jan. 31) press...

READ MORE >
Report: Global Smartphone Sales See Largest Drop Ever
Report: Global Smartphone Sales See Largest Drop Ever
January 29, 2023  |  Consumer Insights

Smartphone sales fell worldwide last year as consumers grew more cautious in their spending. That’s according to a recent report by market research firm IDC, which...

READ MORE >
Report: Discount Retailers See New Wave of Cost-Conscious Shoppers
Report: Discount Retailers See New Wave of Cost-Conscious Shoppers
January 15, 2023  |  Economy

Discount retailers are set to see high traffic this year as consumers worry about rising costs. That’s according to a new report from foot traffic-tracking...

READ MORE >
Recession Number One Fear Among CEOs
Recession Number One Fear Among CEOs
January 15, 2023  |  Economy

CEOs are worried about a recession and expect 2023 to offer little economic growth. That’s according to a recent survey by the Conference Board, which...

READ MORE >