Marketplace More K-shaped spending
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Feb 12, 2026 Daniel Ackerman, Marketplace reporter who covers labor and business, discusses shifting spending patterns and work-from-home trends. He highlights new research showing middle-income households are falling behind high earners. He also explores how newer firms are more likely to offer remote options and the ripple effects on firms and real estate.
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Wider Trade-Downs Signal Budget Strain
- Big Chalk Analytics finds budgeting stress across incomes, not just at the bottom.
- More households are trading down from premium to store brands, rising from ~19% to ~22%.
Trim Assortment And Focus On Value
- Retailers should reassess assortments and focus on value rather than blanket markdowns.
- Plan inventory to meet current consumer demand instead of relying on deep sales like in past recessions.
Small Shop Sees January Sales Rise
- Ashley Morkin of Unglued says January sales rose about 10% and DIY kits sold well despite winter cold.
- She avoided hiring amid uncertainty and noted small, communicated supplier price increases (~3%).