TAG · Economy
Americans have not stopped spending since the Iran war drove gasoline prices higher, but many are subtly altering their buying routines — shopping less at clothing and furniture stores, changing how they fill up at the pump — and…
3 MIN READCheap, fast electric dirt bikes known as e-motos have become some of the most popular motorcycles in the United States, drawing a wave of young riders while prompting police crackdowns and new legislation from New York to Illinois. The…
5 MIN READThe average vehicle on U.S. roads is about 13 years old, a historic high, as drivers hold onto cars longer due to high prices, elevated interest rates and improved vehicle durability. The shift is reshaping the economics of the auto…
3 MIN READHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to overhaul the U.S. food system has stalled amid resistance from food companies and Trump administration officials, who warn that new regulations could further increase grocery prices,…
3 MIN READNew York City's new commissioner of consumer and worker protection, Samuel AA Levine, is launching an aggressive campaign against junk fees and deceptive subscription practices, warning that the United States has suffered a decades-long…
3 MIN READNearly 80% of Americans reported a problem with a service or product in 2025, and about two-thirds of those experienced 'rage' about it, according to the National Consumer Rage survey published Thursday by Customer Care Measurement &…
3 MIN READThe Guardian, a British national daily, launched a callout Thursday asking Americans to share their experiences with difficult consumer situations, from faulty products and refund issues to unresponsive customer service.
3 MIN READMore than 50 bills introduced across half of U.S. states in 2026 seek to restrict retailers from using personal data to set individualized prices, a practice researchers warn could let companies charge more during emergencies or to…
3 MIN READFord is recalling almost 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. because of a seat belt retractor issue that could prevent the belts from retracting or extending, increasing the risk of injury in a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic…
3 MIN READBritish American Tobacco on Tuesday reduced its forecast for global cigarette industry sales volumes this year, projecting a steeper decline of about 2.5%, but raised its growth expectations for new categories such as vapes and nicotine…
3 MIN READWhite Castle said Monday it has permanently added a meat-free slider to its menu, making the Columbus, Ohio-based chain the latest fast-food company to expand its plant-based offerings even as the broader veggie-burger market faces a sales…
3 MIN READOura released a redesigned smart ring focused on a smaller form factor after users requested a less obtrusive wearable, Chief Executive Tom Hale said in a June 1 interview with The Wall Street Journal.
3 MIN READTomato prices have increased roughly 40% over the past year according to the latest Consumer Price Index, the steepest jump of any food product tracked, as a staple of American kitchens becomes the newest flashpoint in a long-running…
3 MIN READThe Environmental Services Association has called for a refundable deposit of up to £5 on vapes purchased in the UK, arguing the scheme would reduce fires in waste facilities and increase recycling rates one year after disposable vapes…
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The European Union fined Chinese online retailer Temu €200 million ($232 million) on Thursday after an investigation found the platform exposed consumers to illegal and hazardous products, the Associated Press reported.
3 MIN READMondelez International announced Tuesday that Oreo is releasing BTS‑themed sandwich cookies with purple wafers and a creme filling that tastes like hotteok, a popular Korean street‑food pancake, in over 80 markets worldwide. The…
3 MIN READNew York lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban the use of potassium bromate in food, putting a century-old baking additive at the center of a debate over the future of the state’s pizza and bagels. The legislation, which now goes to…
3 MIN READJohn Hancock’s Vitality program rewards life insurance customers with points for healthy behaviors such as going to the gym, buying healthy foods, tracking sleep, and getting preventive screenings. The program converts those points into…
3 MIN READDiners are staying home more often as restaurant meals grow pricier, and one Austin restaurant is trying to make sit-down dining easier to afford. L’Oca d’Oro introduced a Tuesday “pay-what-you-will” night, letting customers choose what…
3 MIN READAirline miles and points may buy fewer flights and perks this summer as higher jet-fuel costs push up airfares and add fees, according to travel and credit-card rewards experts. The Associated Press reports that airfares in April were 21%…
3 MIN READNew York lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban the flour additive potassium bromate, which some bakers say helps dough rise faster and produce the familiar texture of city pizza and bagels. The measure, awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s…
3 MIN READEstee Lauder has ended merger talks with Puig that would have combined brands including Clinique, Charlotte Tilbury and Jean Paul Gaultier, the company said Friday. Estee Lauder CEO Stéphane de la Faverie said in a prepared statement late…
3 MIN READEverlane said it is being acquired by Shein, the fast-fashion giant founded in China, in a deal announced to employees by Everlane CEO Alfred Chang. Analysts said the acquisition could help Everlane financially as sales slow and debt…
3 MIN READWalmart reported a 7.3% rise in first‑quarter sales to $177.75 billion, driven by brisk in‑store purchases and a 26% surge in online orders. The company, however, cautioned that a volatile economic backdrop — highlighted by soaring…
3 MIN READThe Trump administration loosened federal rules on refrigerants used in grocery-store cooling systems and air-conditioning equipment, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday. President Donald Trump said the step would…
3 MIN READCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to avoid Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, saying the company charges more than unbranded gas. The office cited an analysis by a group within the state’s energy commission.
3 MIN READShein is buying Everlane, the California-based apparel brand known for minimalist basics and a pitch of “ethical factories” and “radical transparency,” NPR reported. Everlane’s CEO Alfred Chang said the deal is meant to open “a bigger…
3 MIN READA bill passed by New York lawmakers would ban potassium bromate, an additive used by some flour makers to speed dough production and improve texture for pizza and bagels, and it now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature. Bakers, pizza shops…
3 MIN READEverlane, the San Francisco-based retailer known for ethically sourced apparel, is being acquired by Shein, the fast-fashion giant founded in China. CEO Alfred Chang confirmed the deal in a letter to employees, according to The Associated…
3 MIN READWalmart reported a robust first‑quarter, with U.S. comparable sales up 4.1% and online sales jumping 26%, but the retailer warned that soaring gasoline prices and broader economic uncertainty could curb growth later this year. Chief…
4 MIN READThe Trump administration on Thursday loosened federal rules requiring grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cooling equipment, a step that President Donald Trump said would help lower grocery…
3 MIN READCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom's office on Thursday urged drivers to skip Chevron-branded fuel over the Memorial Day weekend, pointing to a state analysis that found the oil company charges 60 to 80 cents more per gallon than unbranded…
4 MIN READNew York lawmakers have passed a bill that would prohibit a flour additive used to speed up dough and make New York-style pizza and bagels. The measure, which would be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, is expected to spark changes for pizzerias…
3 MIN READCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to avoid filling up at Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, saying the company’s branded fuel routinely costs more than “unbranded” alternatives. The office cited an analysis by a…
3 MIN READThe sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines in early May, coupled with jet fuel price spikes driven by the Iran war, is eliminating the cheapest flight options for budget-conscious U.S. travelers just before the summer season, industry experts…
3 MIN READWalmart and Amazon are pouring billions into faster online-order deliveries for rural U.S. shoppers, a market both retailers once saw as too sparsely populated and remote to serve profitably. The battle has intensified as rising rural…
3 MIN READWalmart and Amazon are expanding fast online delivery in rural parts of the United States as competition intensifies for customers in small towns and remote communities. The push is driven in part by longer travel distances and higher…
3 MIN READRetail sales rose 0.5% in April, slowing from March, as higher gas prices tied to the Iran war left less money for discretionary spending. Economists said tax refunds helped cushion the impact, but they warned that spending could weaken…
3 MIN READUS grocery prices jumped 2.9% in April from a year earlier, the steepest increase since August 2023, as higher fuel costs tied to the Iran war, trade tariffs on imported produce and persistent drought pushed food costs higher across the…
3 MIN READGrocery prices rose in April, but the jump was not just driven by higher gasoline tied to the Iran war, according to U.S. government data and industry estimates. Food prices for items eaten at home rose 2.9% from a year earlier, while…
3 MIN READA 5.5-carat fancy vivid blue-green diamond known as the “Ocean Dream” sold for more than 13.5 million Swiss francs ($17.3 million) at Christie’s auction in Geneva on Wednesday, setting what the auction house called a record for a stone of…
3 MIN READThe automotive experts at Edmunds have laid out four strategies for hybrid-car shoppers to minimize the extra upfront cost and maximize long-term fuel savings, in guidance shared with The Associated Press. With gasoline prices remaining…
3 MIN READGas prices and rising vehicle costs are pushing more shoppers to consider hybrids, and Edmunds says it’s important to choose the right model to recoup the added upfront cost. In 2026, the automaker-selection process should start with…
3 MIN READAmazon is rapidly expanding its 30-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, to dozens of U.S. cities, the company confirmed Monday. The e-commerce giant, which pioneered two-day shipping with Prime in 2005, now operates small-format…
5 MIN READAmazon is preparing to expand its “Amazon Now” service that aims to deliver certain items in 30 minutes or less for an extra fee, the company said. The ultrafast option is already operating in multiple countries and in a number of U.S.…
3 MIN READTesla issued two separate recalls on May 8, 2026 covering more than 200,000 vehicles, including 173 Cybertrucks with a wheel-stud defect that could lead to loss of control, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.
3 MIN READTesla is recalling 173 Cybertrucks for a wheel-related issue that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says could lead to wheel-stud separation, raising the risk of a crash. The automaker is also recalling more than 200,000…
3 MIN READApple used its “Glowtime” product showcase in Cupertino, California, to spotlight Apple Intelligence as it unveiled the iPhone 16 lineup and detailed new features coming with the next iOS update. The company also previewed upgrades to its…
3 MIN READDisney reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly performance as its streaming business and U.S. theme-park spending helped offset declines in international tourism, according to a Wednesday update. The Walt Disney Co. said Experiences…
3 MIN READThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized its first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes intended for adult smokers, a policy shift after months of appeals from the vaping industry. The agency said the products it approved—mango…
3 MIN READPolice in eastern Austria have detained a suspect after authorities discovered rat poison in jars of HiPP baby food on supermarket shelves across Central Europe. The probe began when a customer reported a suspicious jar on April 18, and…
3 MIN READAustrian police arrested a 39-year-old suspect after rat poison was discovered in jars of HiPP brand baby food, authorities said Sunday, in a case the company called an extortion attempt. The first tampered jar was found by a customer at a…
3 MIN READVienna-based police in Austria said on May 3 they have arrested a 39-year-old suspect after rat poison was found in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in central Europe. The Burgenland State Criminal Police Office said…
3 MIN READUn sospechoso de 39 años fue detenido en Austria tras el hallazgo de raticida en frascos de comida para bebés de la marca HiPP en estanterías de supermercados de Europa central, según la policía del este de Austria. La detención se produjo…
3 MIN READU.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines shut down after its flight operations collapsed, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling for options to get home. The U.S. Department of Transportation and consumer advocates urged passengers to act…
3 MIN READWalmart is deploying trained beauty specialists to its U.S. stores, with plans to have them in more than 400 locations by the end of 2026, as it seeks a larger slice of the $129 billion U.S. beauty and personal care market, company…
3 MIN READWalmart plans to staff beauty aisles with trained specialists who can recommend products and shades, the company said, starting with 22 stores in Arkansas and Texas. The changes are part of a broader effort to upgrade in-store shopping as…
3 MIN READMcDonald’s said Tuesday it will launch six crafted beverages in U.S. restaurants on May 6, including boba-style refreshers and sodas topped with cold foam. The company is also adding a “beverage specialist” role at its roughly 14,000 U.S.…
3 MIN READUber said Wednesday that users of its app can now book hotel rooms, using hotel listings powered by Expedia Group. The company said any Uber app user will be able to make reservations, while Uber One members will get a discount on a…
3 MIN READFord Mustang and Dodge Charger rivals for decades are once again vying for drivers’ attention, with Edmunds comparing today’s Mustang GT and Dark Horse against the Charger R/T and Scat Pack. The review, provided to The Associated Press by…
3 MIN READU.S. retail sales rose 1.7% in March on a spike in gas prices tied to the Iran war, while the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 6.23%. New AP-NORC polling also found President Donald Trump’s approval on the economy fell to…
3 MIN READResearchers have spent decades breeding potatoes for chip makers—developing varieties that can grow in different climates, resist diseases and pests, and last in storage for months while still producing a crisp chip. In Michigan,…
3 MIN READIran’s war has started to ripple through the U.S. consumer economy, pushing up the cost of petroleum-derived materials that go into thousands of everyday goods, an Associated Press report said. In March, a toy maker in Florida said…
4 MIN READChinese automakers are showcasing new models and technologies in Beijing as global competition heats up and they seek overseas growth. The biennial show, which opened to media on Friday, runs through May 3 and features more than 1,450…
3 MIN READChina’s top automakers are displaying the latest vehicle models and technologies, from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging, at the Beijing auto show that opened for media on Friday. More than 1,450 vehicles, including 181 global…
3 MIN READKellogg said it will include plastic toys in some of its breakfast cereal boxes starting Sunday, returning a novelty that largely disappeared more than a decade ago. The toy promotion is a tie-in with Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,”…
3 MIN READChina’s top automakers are showcasing new models and technologies, from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging, at the Beijing auto show as competition with global rivals intensifies. The biennial event opened to media on Friday and…
3 MIN READA bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, seeking to make rotisserie chicken an eligible purchase under SNAP, the federal grocery assistance program. The proposal would reverse a longstanding rule that…
3 MIN READBeef tallow moisturizers and salmon sperm facials are gaining popularity among consumers seeking natural alternatives to synthetic skin care products, even as dermatologists and cosmetic chemists say these products lack robust medical…
4 MIN READFord is recalling approximately 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks in the United States because of a gearshift defect that can cause unintended downshifts and loss of vehicle control. The recall, announced April 17, affects F-150 light trucks…
3 MIN READMississippi retailers are struggling with severe delays in wine and liquor deliveries from the state's monopoly distribution system, with some orders taking up to 17 days to arrive as of mid-April. The backlog, which emerged in January…
4 MIN READQVC Group, the West Chester, Pennsylvania, company that owns home shopping networks QVC and HSN, disclosed plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an annual report filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.…
4 MIN READPepsiCo said Thursday that Gatorade, the 61-year-old sports drink it owns, is pivoting away from its core athletic identity to target everyday consumers seeking hydration benefits such as electrolyte replacement. The announcement came as…
4 MIN READThe U.S. cattle herd has fallen to its smallest size in more than 75 years, and ranchers say the conditions needed to reverse that decline are not in place — leaving ground beef near all-time highs at American grocery stores. The average…
4 MIN READPowerball will expand this summer to include players in England, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, in a move designed to grow larger jackpots, the Multi-State Lottery Association said. The agreement announced Tuesday between…
3 MIN READRoblox will pay more than $12 million to Nevada and add new safety protections for minors after the Nevada attorney general reached a settlement this week with the popular gaming platform, the Associated Press reported. Democratic Attorney…
3 MIN READBen & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen urged the company’s owner, The Magnum Ice Cream Co., to sell Ben & Jerry’s, calling Magnum a barrier to the brand’s social activism. Cohen made the remarks Tuesday in Burlington, Vermont, as Ben & Jerry’s…
3 MIN READWalmart announced Wednesday it will redesign packaging across its Great Value store brand — 10,000 products in all — placing nutritional information in a standardized location and updating product photography to make items more visually…
4 MIN READTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a probe into Lululemon over whether the company’s athletic clothing contains PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Paxton said the inquiry will examine Lululemon’s “restricted…
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