Can the US consumer stay strong?

This podcast episode delves into the unexpected resilience of the US consumer amid inflation and rising interest rates, discussing varied perspectives from economists and retail analysts on the situation's implications. Despite signs of consumer pressures, particularly among lower-income households, the experts maintain an overall optimistic outlook fueled by a strong labor market and wealth effects. They emphasize the shifting consumer preferences towards essentials and value-oriented products while recognizing the importance of monitoring labor market trends and changes in spending behavior as the landscape continues to evolve.