Americans have been paying more at the grocery store for years. Packaged snacks and soft drinks went through several rounds of price increases after the pandemic, and many shoppers had only recently started to see some of that pressure ease. Now it is coming back. Another round of increases is on the way for some
For many coffee drinkers, a favorite local coffeehouse is more than just a place to grab a morning drink. It’s part of a daily routine, a convenient meeting spot or a place to work, relax, and catch up with friends. That experience is about to disappear for some customers as one of the world’s largest
At a time when gas prices have hit seasonal record highs, Kroger has ended a partnership that will take away a key gas discount from customers. And, while the move was announced in July, it’s actually hitting now, when Kroger customers arguably need it the most. “The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline
Store closures have become increasingly common among retailers as they shrink their footprints to adapt to changing consumer habits and rising costs. Coresight Research projects that 7,900 stores will close in 2026, while 5,500 stores will open, resulting in an estimated net loss of 2,400 stores among chain retailers. Founded in 1861 in New York
Having grown up in New England in the 1980s, certain commercials that aired during cartoons like “The Flintstones,” “Battle of the Planets,” and “G.I. Joe” on UHF channels 38 and 56 have long been seared into my brain. I can sing the entire Rusty Jones jingle, and if you say the words “water country,” my
A mall retailer consumers describe as an “entry-level” luxury brand that features sophisticated, minimalist staples, has quietly closed five stores. This year, a number of mall retailers have chosen not to renew their mall leases as they adapt to consumers’ shifting habits. The closures, however, come at a time when foot traffic across all three
The best technology disappears. You stop noticing it, and then you start relying on it. For a decade, virtual reality asked you to strap a bulky headset to your face and accept the trade-off. That trade-off kept most shoppers out of the category, even as phones and earbuds became things people carried everywhere. Glasses changed
BJ’s Wholesale is rolling out new offers for its members as grocery prices continue to put pressure on household budgets. While the warehouse club revealed in its latest earnings report that its comparable club sales (excluding gasoline) rose 3.1% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, higher-income shoppers are driving much of that
T-Mobile is planning to offer customers a slate of new free perks after recently making several significant changes to its wireless business that could lead to more customers leaving. This year, the carrier has continued to raise prices and scale back discounts. Most notably, it recently discontinued several legacy wireless plans, automatically switching some customers
A well-known fashion brand is acknowledging that changes to its pricing and assortment pushed some customers away, and its parent company is now acting with “urgency” to address the problem as it contends with continued sales declines. The company said weaker consumer sentiment has put pressure on discretionary demand, while changes to the brand’s pricing