Americans are still showing up for mom this Mother's Day — but with more budgeting, bargain hunting and strategic splurging as "momflation" pushes up the cost of flowers, brunch and gifts.
Why it matters: Mother's Day is becoming a snapshot of the modern U.S. consumer economy: Even as shoppers complain about inflation and rising prices, many are still willing to spend on special occasions — just more selectively.
Today's flex for many wealthy trendsetters is a self-driving Tesla. But when everyone has a robot driver, the real status symbol may be a human one.
Why it matters: The notion of luxury is evolving as automation spreads across the economy, putting a premium on high-end personalized services provided by real people.
Private labels are getting a generational makeover as retailers bet Gen Z will buy in.
Why it matters: As shoppers pull back and luxury slips further out of reach, retailers are betting younger consumers will embrace store brands once viewed as generic bargain buys.
Universities across the country are rescheduling or canceling finals after a cyberattack shut down a learning platform used by thousands of schools for course information and assignments.
The big picture: The attack comes at a critical moment for college students who are cramming for finals — and underscores education's growing reliance on singular technology platforms.
The U.S. labor market has found its footing: A yearlong pattern of whipsawing between job gains and losses is finally breaking, a sign that stabilization is taking hold.
Why it matters: The labor market is holding up despite a wall of headwinds, including an energy shock stemming from the Iran war and the uncertainty that comes with the conflict. So far, the damage that was expected to ripple through hiring simply hasn't shown up.
The Court of International Trade on Thursday ruled that President Trump's newest round of tariffs were illegal — but the duties will keep collecting for most importers while the administration appeals.
Why it matters: It is yet another legal setback for the White House's trade policy — this time ruling against the suite of tariffs that officials imposed to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.
Regency Centers is breaking ground at Ellis Village Center, a ground-up open-air retail destination in one of the region's fastest-growing suburbs.
What you need to know: The development will become the commercial heart of Tracy, California, serving the more than 10,000 new homes planned in the surrounding trade areas.
A 25,000-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market will serve as the center's anchor, alongside a mix of dining, local and national retail and service tenants curated for everyday needs.
The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%, the Labor Department said on Friday.
Why it matters: Employers kept hiring through the Iran war's energy shock, a sign of labor market resilience that complicates the case for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
At a conference earlier this week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said that the new Trump accounts, the "401(k)s for babies" that launched this year, could be a way to push forward the Social Security privatization effort that failed during the Bush administration.
Why it matters: Social Security advocates have worried about this, and while Trump accounts were not described that way when the program was announced, Cruz's remarks suggest a long-term roadmap.
