The relationship between consumer mood and spending? It's complicated

Marketplace All-in-One

Marketplace

News, Business

4.5 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 27 August 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On Tuesday, the Conference Board reported a slight drop in consumer confidence, driven by worries about available jobs and future incomes. But a dip in confidence doesn't always mean people spend less. Also on the show: Where have all the working moms gone? "Marketplace" host Amy Scott talks with Abha Bhattarai from the Washington Post about how women are losing workforce participation gains made during the pandemic. Plus, what ending the 'de minimis' exemption could mean for overseas retailers and online shoppers.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.
0:05.6	You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout?
0:08.4	The one that makes buying so incredibly easy?
0:11.1	That's Shopify.
0:12.1	And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it,
0:15.0	because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your own business.
0:19.8	Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of
0:22.2	businesses around the world, from household names like Mattel and Jimshark to brands just getting
0:26.8	started. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify.
0:32.8	Sign up for a one pound per month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com.com.
0:37.9	UK slash Marketplace 22.
0:40.6	Go to Shopify.com.
0:42.3	UK slash Marketplace 22.
0:47.7	On the show today, we'll catch up on some of the news you might have missed,
0:52.6	and we'll play with some Lego. From American
0:55.7	Public Media, this is Marketplace. In Denver, I'm Amy Scott, in for Kai Rizdahl. It's Wednesday,
1:10.6	August 27th. Good to have you with us.
1:13.0	You can forgive us for leaving this one out yesterday amid the whole president attempting to fire a Fed governor situation.
1:20.7	But there was some news about the biggest engine of the U.S. economy, yes, the consumer, and how folks are feeling these days.
1:29.7	And it's not great, according to the Conference Board's latest consumer confidence index.
1:34.6	A small decline in August reflects people's worries about their jobs and future income.
1:40.7	A separate survey from the University of Michigan also showed a decline in sentiment this month.
	...

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