Requests for tips are becoming more common, tips themselves are getting larger, and consumers from coast to coast are confused about the new rules.
Why it matters: The onslaught of tipping requests is fatiguing consumers and pushing them to close their wallets — even in scenarios where tips are a critical part of workers' wages.
Back-to-school shoppers can't escape inflation as they prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.
State of play: Higher prices and demand for electronics are taking a bigger bite out of consumer budgets — and driving record spending — according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey.
Why it matters: The popularity of such stories, which largely describe behavior as old as time, reveals something important about how the American Dream has changed significantly in the wake of the pandemic, especially for Gen Z and younger Millennials.
Sports franchises only ever seem to rise in value — as do the value of the contracts those teams give their players. Much of that money comes from fans, in one way or another. But a lot of it comes from non-fans, too.
Why it matters: If you're one of the large but dwindling band of Americans who still buys a cable bundle, then you almost certainly fall into one of two groups — people who watch sports, and people who don't.
Two noteworthy thingshappened in the world of Treasury bonds last week: Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S., and the benchmark 10-year bond yield rose to a level not seen since November.
Why it matters: The Fitch report hit the U.S. on multiple fronts, citing "fiscal deterioration," "erosion of governance," and more.
/2023/08/06/1691318791988.gif?w=3840)
/2023/08/04/1691165813935.gif?w=3840)
