consumer

The coronavirus pandemic has caused consumer spending, the economy’s key driver, to plummet across the country as Americans struggle through a recession. But some states are recovering more quickly than others. Statewide stay-at-home orders first froze the economy in mid March. For that month, the Commerce Department said consumer spending fell 7.5%, the sharpest monthly drop on records that go…

Consumer and manufacturing reports for March showed the hit to the economy from the coronavirus was even swifter and deeper in the early weeks of the shutdown than expected. March retail sales fell 8.7%, the most ever in government data, and New York regional manufacturing activity hit an all-time low, declining to a shocking negative 78.2%. Industrial production slipped 5.4%, the largest decline...

Luke Frey, Associate Director of Communication for the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut, told us what we need to know.

American consumers continue to do more of their shopping online — and those who do are increasingly happy with the experience. In fact, internet retail is the only bright spot in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Retail and Consumer Shipping Report released last week. While satisfaction scores with brick-and-mortar stores remained unchanged, the ACSI score for internet retail rose...

Refund checks totaling more than $34 million will be sent to consumers who allegedly were tricked by Office Depot, Inc. and a software provider into buying computer repair products and services, the Federal Trade Commission announced.

Julie Loffredi from Brad’s Deals shared tips to make the returning process easier.

Lawrence Keller of Burlington said his parents Frederick and Helen Keller prepared well for their final resting place, but the family received a surprise bill after discovering the headstone engraving for their mother was not included in the pre-paid funeral package. “It’s always tough to see a parent decline,” said Lawrence Keller.  A debilitating condition took the lives of...

A Burlington family was surprised to receive a bill for part of a funeral service they believed they had pre-paid.

On Thursday crowded malls were full of holiday shoppers making use of their new gift cards or making returns.

It’s the holiday shopping rush and there are plenty of deals to go around.  Some retailers are pulling out all of stops to get you in the door.      They’re offering discounts as high as 40 to 50 percent.  That means big savings for Shawn Tyson. “I’m a last-minute shopper.  You get the best deaI like that sometimes.  I...

While you’re gearing up for the holidays, fraudsters may be trying to take advantage of you.

Empty gift cards, bogus charitable solicitations, cyberattacks and thieves who steal packages from your porch aren’t necessarily unique to this time of year.

As many prepare to spike the eggnog or pop the champagne, the state Department of Consumer Protection is reminding residents that you need to go out and buy your spirits and libations before the actual holiday. Package stores must be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in Connecticut. Bars must be closed by 3 a.m. on New...

With Christmas just around the corner, you may be thinking about gift cards. While they’re popular and convenient, they’re also a popular way for thieves to steal your money. That’s because gift cards are like cash.  If you buy one and use it, you might not get your money back.  The Federal Trade Commission said one thing consumers shouldn’t...

With less than a week to go until Christmas, people are rushing to stores to get their last-minute shopping done.

For those of you hoping to do your holiday shopping online, it’s probably too late to have your gifts delivered in time for the holiday, which means local Connecticut stores are very busy with last-minute shoppers trying to get everything checked off their Christmas lists before the big day. Some people, like Kathy Gorge from Unionville, enjoy that Christmas...

It’s the busiest shopping and shipping time of the year, and Amazon’s North Haven fulfillment center is booming.

Driving into the future. The Automakers of Tesla and Audi want to roll out new vehicle technology that could change our driving habits. But is it safe? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a plan to replace rear and side view mirrors with digital side mirrors or “camera monitoring systems” outside of those vehicles. The reason? Better fuel…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering a plan to replace rear and side view mirrors with digital side mirrors or “camera monitoring systems” outside of those vehicles.

You’ve got your holiday shopping list made and you’re checking it twice....

But are you getting the right gifts for the right people? And what should you do if you are strapped for cash?...

Following some simple gift-giving rules can help you easily navigate the holiday season. They can also help set the tone for your relationships for the upcoming...

A New York regulator is investigating Goldman Sachs for possible sex discrimination in the way it sets credit limits.