Not All Retailers Benefit From Spending By U.S. Consumers
NPR's David Greene talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about the status of brick-and-mortar retailers.
Economy
'Wastewater Toolbox' Helps Manufacturers With Sustainability
A new digital tool is helping the global textile industry improve its wastewater footprint, and North Carolina played an important role in its creation.
HGTV Celebrates A Quarter-Century Of Real Estate Inspiration, Escapism
The channel was launched 25 years ago today. Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Ronda Kaysen, contributor to the New York Times, about why the network first caught on and is still going strong.
Doorbusters Busted: Shoppers Rethink Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving is still the busiest shopping day of the year. But, for many reasons, it is losing its status as the focal point of the holiday shopping season.
Ski Areas Find Seasonal Workers In Short Supply
As ski season starts, resorts across the country are scrambling to find enough workers. Record low unemployment, expensive housing and fewer visas for foreign wokers make this year especially tough.
What's Wrong with the Saudi Aramco IPO?
The most profitable company in the world was supposed to make its international debut, listing public shares for the first time at a valuation of $2 trillion. Now it's staying local. What happened?
At The Mercy Of An App: Workers Feel The Instacart Squeeze
The grocery-delivery app faces a new wave of discontent. Working for an algorithm means tweaks can upend a livelihood — and being a faster, nicer, more experienced worker doesn't guarantee better pay.
Charles Schwab To Buy TD Ameritrade, Creating Brokerage Behemoth
Changes are rippling through the financial services market as trade fees drop to zero. The merger will likely attract antitrust scrutiny, as the combined firms will hold $5 trillion in client assets.
What Do Billionaires Owe The Rest Of Us?
Questions like these come up as the public contemplates a wealth tax.
Forgiving Student Debt Would Boost Economy, Economists Say
Democratic presidential candidates want to obliterate student debt. Economists say that could help with income inequality, but it would come with a big price tag and risks.