Consumer Behavior

• U.S. Economic Growth Surged in Third Quarter of 2025 - Gross domestic product grew at a 4.3 percent annual rate, faster than the previous three months.
• The Economy Survived 2025, But Many Americans Are Reeling - A feared recession didn’t materialize, but unemployment rose, wage growth slowed and affordability challenges are mounting.
• Have Trump’s Tariffs Gone as High as They Can Go? Business Hope So - A wave of companies are petitioning for exemptions from the Trump administration’s high levies on foreign-made goods, saying they are hurting business and raising prices.
• Shoppers Turn to Discounts and Debt, but Not Just for Holidays - Consumers are focusing on value and financing purchases to complete their shopping lists.
• U.S. Black Friday Sales Defy Tariffs and Economic Woes - Data on spending this week shows that consumers are shopping big for the holidays despite inflation and economic worries.