Marketplace

Though it may not be instantaneous, China-based online clothing brand Shein makes it pretty darn close. They’ve cut the clothing design and production process down to as little as a few days. In today’s show, we talk about one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies in the world revolutionizing fashion and apparel. But first: rental bidding wars, California’s power-sharing predicament and why we believe economists’ predictions when they seem to get it oh-so-wrong.

Red news booths used to dot Shanghai’s cityscape. Now, finding a newspaper in China’s financial capital is a difficult task. Newspaper circulation in China dropped by 37% between 2010 and 2019, according to government statistics. So, what does that mean for the few remaining newsstands that some say have outlived their use? Also on the show today: environmental justice guidance from the White House, hopes for Broadway’s reopening and fewer financial aid applicants.

The recent pandemic-induced recession only lasted only two months and ended in April 2020, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Business Cycle Dating Committee. On today’s show, we’ll dig into why that is and why it feels like the recession is far from over for some Americans. Then, how manufacturers and retailers sneakily hide the fact that food prices are going up. Plus, what equitable infrastructure looks like for communities of color, low maintenance costs for electric...

The number of 16- to 19-year-olds who work jumped to nearly 32% in June, meaning teens are helping ease the economy’s worker shortage. On today’s show, we’ll hear from two teenagers about what they’re doing to earn money. Plus, the European Union’s controversial carbon tariff, the red-hot homebuilding market and the Biden administration plays a cyberattack blame game.

Los Angeles County is reinstituting an indoor mask mandate starting this weekend. This might not be a shock to some, but it could have impacts on local businesses. We also talk about how the surge in leisure travel has spurred a growing need to retrain airline staffers, Canada reopening its border to nonessential visitors from the U.S. and the marketing power of TikTok.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo covered a variety of topics in today’s interview, which is the first half of our show today. Plus: Foreclosures, stadium litter and the state of the Chinese economy. Later, we check in with the post-Brexit European Union. Is Brussels trying to punish British film and TV?

Firefighters working for the federal government are often the first line of defense, but near the end of the line when it comes to pay, especially compared to their peers on the state and local level. That’s led to a boiling point for many, who leave for higher-paying jobs. Also, we look at all the elements that go into a flight, examine the advertising impact of the Olympics being a no-fan zone and check in on an upcoming food hall in California.

More than 30 million families will start receiving a new monthly payment from the government this week. On today’s show, we’ll look at how working parents might spend the money. Also, we examine a new report’s findings on clean energy, ask you to imagine a lake (it’ll make sense later) and explain what a “point” is on the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P.

Analysts are projecting epic earnings growth, especially when compared to the pandemic-ravaged second quarter of 2020. We take a look at what that could mean for companies going forward. Also, some coffee (prices) talk, the movement of the Bureau of Land Management headquarters and a look at where we stand on inflation.

The president signed an executive order today that targets anti-competitive practices. One of the items the order covers? Hearing aids, an industry where four companies control 84% of the market. Also, we discuss states’ cutoff of unemployment benefits, electric vehicles and a light pollution saga in Texas.

The labor participation rate for women is now lower than it’s been in 30 years, meaning more gaps in resumes. On today’s show, we’ll spend some time talking with women and employers about how they’re approaching that challenge. Plus, a look at what separates the states that have hit pre-pandemic unemployment levels from the ones that haven’t. Later on, we’ll look at the changing credit card industry and new laws that give renters legal counsel. We wrap up today’s show with a look at the...

The U.S. had a record 9.21 million job openings in May, but mix-and-matching those jobs with the millions of Americans who are out of work isn’t easy. We’ll talk about whether all those openings signal a recovering economy or a struggle to hire. Plus, grocery supply chains, stockpiling and why America can’t quit coal.

The company behind the Weather Channel announced a $5-a-month streaming service, Weather Channel Plus, and Rupert Murdoch is launching his own Fox Weather later this year. Is this what peak streaming looks like? We’ll talk about it, plus: Iceland’s short workweek and the short-term training industry. But first: Is OPEC+’s crisis an opportunity for American shale?

Jeff Bezos is stepping down as Amazon’s longtime CEO to focus on other projects, like his Blue Origin space venture. We look at how commercial space flight is still wide open when it comes to rules for passengers. We also talk about how colleges in Maine are witnessing an influx of out-of-state students, the world’s oldest sweet shop adapting to modern times and how business travel is still shaking off the impact of the pandemic.

Burnout is rampant in this workforce, and the quit rate is accelerating. Some firms are taking companywide summer vacations, but do they actually help? Today, we look into it, plus the housing shortage and China’s solar ascendancy. But first, a deep dive into this morning’s jobs report and the “last mile” of economic recovery.

Because of the semiconductor chip shortage we’ve been talking about lately, the average wait time for chips is 18 weeks. That’s forced Ford to suspend or dial down production at some of its factories, adding to the roller-coaster nature of auto industry jobs. Also, recruiting the next generation of venture capitalists from historically Black colleges, surging propane prices and the vulnerable state of U.S. electric grids in a changing climate.

The pandemic has increased the need for mental health care. However, the boost in demand has shed light on the logistical challenges that may confront those seeking help. We examine the disparity between mental and physical health benefits. Also today, how a “beer game” illustrates the workings of supply chains, the consumer confidence index and the art of car haggling.

The Pacific Northwest is enduring a record-setting heat wave, which has ignited a run on air conditioners. While AC isn’t known as an essential need in that region, its sudden widespread use stirs questions about whether the infrastructure can adapt. Also today, we look at the extended child tax credit’s effect on poverty, the Fed’s housing market tightrope and the first Black woman to get a Ph.D. in economics.

More companies are making decisions about how and if their workers will return to offices. According to one survey, more than 70% of workers want to keep the option to work remotely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they want to spend all their time working from home. As people take a break from their apartments and roommates and look to other spaces to park their laptops, it’s creating a business opportunity for others. Today: the evolution of WFH. Also, the Weekly Wrap, the extension of...

The economy is growing, with GDP up 6.4% in the first quarter. But that’s cold comfort to the unemployed. The Labor Department says first-time jobless claims are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels. We look into what’s going on and sift through some of the more confusing facts. We also examine the concept of the four-day workweek, the challenges businesses face training legions of new employees and whether Congress is poised to regulate Big Tech.