The Business Times

consumer spending

International

US consumer spending beats estimates with core inflation steady

Amazon and Walmart held sales promotions last month to lure inflation-weary consumers with deep discounts, including on back-to-school essentials.
International

US retail sales increase solidly in July

Shoppers on 5th Avenue in New York, US, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. US consumer confidence fell in March to the lowest level in four years on concerns about higher prices and the economic outlook amid the Trump administration's escalating tariffs. Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg
International

US inflation picks up in June; consumer spending rises moderately

Consumption makes up more than half of Japan’s economic output and could determine whether the economy will enter or avoid a technical recession.
International

Japan’s households boost spending by most since summer 2022

epa11610755 Consumers shop at Walmart in Los Angeles, California, USA, 17 September 2024. US retail sales unexpectedly rose by 0.1% in August. This release comes as investors expect the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for the first time since 2020 on 18 September 2024. EPA-EFE/ALLISON DINNER
International

US retail sales fall sharply in May

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 20: A customer shops at a Target store on May 20, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Target announced plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics as inflation cuts into household budgets. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
International

US consumer spending surges in March, inflation cools

European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel said that real income grew in over half of all households in the euro area last year but that an ECB survey of consumers showed that only 11 per cent perceived that increase.
International

Euro zone consumers may be put off by inflation ‘misperception’: ECB’s Schnabel

According to a weekly sales survey by industry association Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, in the eleven weeks since Donald Trump’s inauguration, shoe sales in stores are down 9.5 per cent from the same period last year.
International

Trump’s tariff pause leaves CEOs puzzled about what happens in 90 days

Momoka Matsui and her co-worker Saki Matsumoto prepare to take photos of acrylic stand figure models of their favourite idols with cakes and teas, which they ordered at After All Coffee, where Matsui’s favourite boy band stopped by, Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2025.
Global Enterprise

Anime and mascots: Japan hopes ‘oshikatsu’ rage will open consumer wallets

Blind boxes have enabled companies to step up their marketing game as it raises consumer engagement with the brand. Yet, the market is also linked to impulsive buying behaviour, which puts it at risk of further regulations.
Opinion & Features
BRUNCH

The Labubu craze is not just a fad. Singapore businesses are taking notes

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