Market Conditions news and trends

Consumer Confidence Climbs as Business Conditions and Job Availability Improve
Consumer Insights // December 20, 2023

Consumer confidence surged in December, reaching a level last seen in July.  There was greater optimism in consumers’ assessments of both current business and labor market conditions and those they expect to see six months from now, The Conference Board said in a Wednesday (Dec. 20) press release. ...

Report: Farfetch Founder José Neves Aims to Take Company Private 
Economy // November 28, 2023

The founder of online luxury fashion retailer Farfetch, José Neves, reportedly aims to take the company private.  Neves, who has a 15% stake and 77% of the voting rights, is working with advisors at JPMorgan on the potential move, Reuters reported Tuesday (Nov. 28), citing a paywalled article by the Telegraph. ...

Job Market Softens As Ongoing Unemployment Claims Rise
Economy // November 16, 2023

The “durable” job market economists had been touting all year now seems a bit softer. New employment figures from the U.S. Labor Department released Thursday (Nov. 16) showed continuing applications for unemployment benefits rose to their highest level in nearly two years. Recurring jobless claims reached 1.87...

Brick-and-Mortar Merchants to Take a Hit as Retail Sales Sputter?
Retail // November 15, 2023

Seven months of spending at the register… and now comes an interruption. October’s retail sales decline may prove to be a mere blip.   Or maybe not. The latest data from the Commerce Department’s breakdown of where consumers are spending their time and money — and where...

Interviews & Exclusives
Brick-and-Mortar Merchants to Take a Hit as Retail Sales Sputter?

November 15, 2023
Seven months of spending at the register… and now comes an interruption. October’s retail sales decline may prove to be a mere blip.   Or maybe not. The latest data from the Commerce Department’s breakdown of where consumers are spending their time and money — and where they are not — hints at gathering clouds for brick-and-mortar […]

Digital Tools Streamline Payments for Budget-Conscious Travelers

October 12, 2023
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures, travel saw a significant rise this summer. According to findings detailed in “The Credit Economy: How Consumers Financed Their Summer Travel,” a collaboration...

Main Street Hospitality SMBs Most Optimistic About the Economy

August 23, 2023
Across the United States, ongoing fears that the economy may still be running too hot remain elevated, with most Main Street small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) fearing the worst. The...

Inflation Reveals Generational Divide in Restaurant Spending Cuts

January 11, 2023
As economic pressures continue, consumers across demographics are making changes to their restaurant purchasing behaviors. The December edition of PYMNTS’ Restaurant Digital Divide study, The 2022 Restaurant Digital Divide: Restaurant...

Quick Reads
Analysts and Money Managers Divided on Economic Growth Prospects 

December 20, 2023
As 2024 approaches, analysts are reportedly reassessing their predictions for a U.S. recession that had been anticipated for the past two years.  While investment bank analysts remain optimistic about growth prospects, money managers are adopting a more cautious approach, Reuters reported Wednesday (Dec. 20).  Sell-side analysts, known for their bullish forecasts, have become optimistic about growth prospects, […]

Consumer Confidence Climbs as Business Conditions and Job Availability Improve

December 20, 2023
Consumer confidence surged in December, reaching a level last seen in July.  There was greater optimism in consumers’ assessments of both current business and labor market conditions and those they...

Report: Farfetch Founder José Neves Aims to Take Company Private 

November 28, 2023
The founder of online luxury fashion retailer Farfetch, José Neves, reportedly aims to take the company private.  Neves, who has a 15% stake and 77% of the voting rights, is working with...

Job Market Softens As Ongoing Unemployment Claims Rise

November 16, 2023
The “durable” job market economists had been touting all year now seems a bit softer. New employment figures from the U.S. Labor Department released Thursday (Nov. 16) showed continuing applications for unemployment...