Paycheck To Paycheck news and trends

Will Slight Improvement in Overall Jobs Outlook Boost Confidence to Keep Spending?
Economy // November 04, 2024

On its surface, last week’s job report was anemic at best and confounding at worst. And where there’s a cloudy picture on job prospects, the outlook for spending — and by extension, spending — remains muddied a bit, too. But, connect the dots a bit, and...

Wells Fargo: Rate Cut Should Ease Pressure on Lower-Income Consumers
Economy // October 11, 2024

Lower inflation and interest rates may give some relief to consumers who need it most, Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said Friday (Oct. 11). Speaking during the company’s quarterly earnings call, Scharf said the bank has not seen changes in delinquencies or spending that would...

Mass Market Retailers Cut Prices to Win Budget-Conscious Shoppers This Holiday Season
Retail // October 10, 2024

As we approach the holiday season, mass merchants and dollar stores are unveiling a plethora of new deals designed to attract budget-conscious consumers grappling with financial struggles. This year, many retailers are adapting their strategies to meet the needs of shoppers who are feeling the...

Stronger Q2 Data and Falling Jobless Claims May Offset Consumer Confidence Decline
Economy // September 26, 2024

The latest revision to second-quarter GDP data is the third and final one. According to the newest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real disposable income turned out to be healthier than initially reported. On Thursday (Sept. 26), the bureau said in a news...

Interviews & Exclusives
Mass Market Retailers Cut Prices to Win Budget-Conscious Shoppers This Holiday Season

October 10, 2024
As we approach the holiday season, mass merchants and dollar stores are unveiling a plethora of new deals designed to attract budget-conscious consumers grappling with financial struggles. This year, many retailers are adapting their strategies to meet the needs of shoppers who are feeling the pinch of rising costs, emphasizing affordability and value in their […]

Paycheck-to-Paycheck Shoppers May Demand More Deals Events This Fall

September 03, 2024
In the wake of the savings events rush of the summer, with seemingly every large merchant announcing some major discounting push, consumers are growing accustomed to shifting their spending toward...

Inflation Cools, but Paycheck-to-Paycheck Consumers Still Feel the Heat

September 02, 2024
The reality is that inflation is cooling. But perception, as they say, is reality. As captured in a PYMNTS Intelligence report in August, the reality is that the current level...

Affirm CEO Says Interest Rate Cut Could Drive BNPL Usage

August 28, 2024
As consumers navigate a challenging economic environment, they are increasingly adopting buy now, pay later (BNPL) options to manage their spending. Affirm, a leading BNPL provider, reported Wednesday (Aug. 28)...

Quick Reads
Primark Owner Forecasts Uptick in Lower-Income Consumer Confidence

November 05, 2024
The head of Associated British Foods has predicted rising confidence among lower-income consumers. As the Financial Times (FT) reported Tuesday (Nov. 5), George Weston made this forecast in light of the Labour government’s budget, while also predicting that his company would be set back by “several tens of millions” due to some of the changes. […]

Wells Fargo: Rate Cut Should Ease Pressure on Lower-Income Consumers

October 11, 2024
Lower inflation and interest rates may give some relief to consumers who need it most, Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said Friday (Oct. 11). Speaking during the company’s quarterly earnings...

TJX Sales Climb as Consumers ‘Keep Seeking Value’

August 21, 2024
TJ Maxx/Marshalls’ parent TJX continues to benefit from value-chasing consumers. The discount retail company released earnings Wednesday (Aug. 21) showing sales up 6% for the half year and 4% for...

Discover Unveils Overdraft Protection for Debit Card Customers

July 08, 2024
Discover debuted a new overdraft protection tool for its debit card customers. Balance+ offers fee-free discretionary overdraft coverage for day-to-day debit card transactions, according to a Monday (July 8) press...