Make Me Smart
The "little treat" economy
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Show notes
The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthier Americans are driving the trend, but a “culture of treats” might also play a role. Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain her theory. Plus, brands like Gap are pitching themselves to Gen Z by riffing on Y2K fashion. Are you onboard?
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- "Retail sales up 0.6% in August from July even as tariffs hurt jobs and lead to price hikes" from AP News
- "Top 10% of Earners Drive a Growing Share of US Consumer Spending" from Bloomberg
- "For some consumers, luxury is not a treat — it's a lifestyle" from Marketplace
- "Why are millennial brands trying to ride the Y2K trend?" from Marketplace
"Why Gap’s ‘Better In Denim’ Ad Struck The Right Chord" from Forbes
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