Americans are increasingly unlikely to believe that those who work hard will get ahead and that their children will be better off than they are, according to two recent polls.
Why it matters: The polls reflect concerns that the American dream is dimming — or already extinguished.
Workers looking to pick up a seasonal job may have a harder time getting one this holiday season amid signals the red-hot job market may be cooling off.
Why it matters: The holiday hiring season serves as an annual end-of-the-year litmus test for how companies like retailers — which are constantly studying consumer behavior — are feeling about the broader economy.
Why it matters: Nov. 24 is expected to be one of the most popular shopping days of the holiday season and year in stores and online, according to holiday predictions from the National Retail Federation and Sensormatic Solutions.