Everybody shops, but the retail beat is about much more than going to the mall. We asked Ylan Q. Mui, who covers consumers and the economy at The Washington Post, to explain how and why.
Even as fallout from the mortgage market meltdown still reverberates throughout the economy, ominous rumblings suggest that a similar bust in the student loan market could be the next big financial crisis. According to a just-out report by the National Association of Consumer Bankrtupcy Attorneys, for example, 80 percent of respondents report a surge in [...]
Punxatawney Phil’s ‘six more weeks of winter’ prognostication lacked a certain punch this year, given the mild winter weather enjoyed in much of the lower 48 so far. If this is winter, bring it on, many residents are thinking. As I donned a light spring jacket to run some Saturday errands and bustled out to [...]
Now that one major TV-watching spectacle is over for 2012 – the Super Bowl – there’s only a week left until armchair experts will settle in front of the tube to call out critiques and accolades as they root for their favorite contenders in the Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show at New York’s Madison [...]
Every February, myriad events nationwide commemorate and celebrate the country’s African American citizens. And while many observances focus on history, heritage and culture, there are plenty of angles for business writeres, too, in the experiences of black Americans. Profiles and features of are a natural fit. If you generally only cover incremental changes at companies run [...]
Coming off a year with a welcome 10 percent increase in sales, the nation’s auto dealers are prepped for an even better 2012, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Its “Top 3 factors why U.S. auto sales will increase in 2012″ suggests that aging autos, available credit and plenty of incentives from dealers [...]
With less than a week until the celebration of excess known as Super Bowl Sunday, you might be looking for business and economy tie-ins to the annual climax of the football season. Here are a few ideas for traditional and offbeat approaches: The usual players. Bars, casino special events, TV sales at appliance and discount [...]
Nearly a month into New Year’s resolutions, I have a feeling that millions of Americans’ resolve is withering just as grocery ads are touting fattening Super Bowl snack foods and bistros are starting to advertise succulent Valentine’s Day specials. Between now and Lent, more than a little noshing will take place – so take advantage [...]
There’s a hip new name for the secondhand goods deals that long have been dear to the heart of garage-salers, estate-sale mavens and consignment-shop connoisseurs: Re-commerce. The new term for turning one’s unwanted possessions into spendable cash turned up on a Trendwatching.com list of 2012 consumer trends to watch. “For smart consumers, trading in is [...]
With December’s credit-card bills rolling in and April’s tax payments looming for many Americans, January tends to bring out the frugal in us. Money-saving tips are hot headlines on magazine covers and websites.
