Andrea Felsted

The Consumer Economy Is Starting to Crack Under Inflation

Shoppers on both sides of the Atlantic are under intense pressure from inflation. So far, sales of everything from luxury goods to laundry detergent have been better than expected. But cracks are already emerging in demand — and these are set to intensify as winter draws in. There’s no…

The UK Energy Crisis Won’t Steal Christmas

With energy prices soaring, few houses will be fully illuminated during the festive season. Don’t expect glowing reindeers on lawns or Santas on rooftops. Up and down the country, these holiday features will likely be absent this year. But don’t think Christmas trees will be totally stripped of…

Desperate to Hit the Gym Again? You’re Not Alone

Peloton Interactive Inc.’s troubles aren’t just down to self-inflicted wounds. There is mounting evidence that consumers are desperate to get back to the gym. But two years of exercising in the kitchen have reshaped the fitness industry. While Peloton must appeal to customers who want to feel…

Shopping Is Going to Be A Lot More Painful in 2022

The great rotation in consumer spending continues. When the world shut down in 2020, we bought what we needed to stay home: Pelotons, pets, sweatpants and sourdough starter. In 2021, our shopping reflected reopening: We put on lipstick again, whitened our teeth and swapped loungewear for chinos…

Black Friday Bargain Hunters, Prepare to Be Disappointed

The bargain bonanza that is Black Friday has begun. Only there are fewer special offers this year, and those that are being advertised aren’t quite so eye-catching. You can blame the global supply chain meltdown for the dearth of doorbusters. Even when toys and TVs start flowing through trade…

Tourist Season’s Extended But Don’t Let Your Guard Down

It’s not too late for that holiday to Ibiza after all. After another lost summer for the British travel industry, the UK government on Friday announced a shake-up of the rules for England. From early next month, the much-maligned classification of red, amber and green destinations, with its…

The Return of Empty Shelves and Panic Buying

Walk around a supermarket in the US or Europe and you will see some empty shelves once more. This isn’t due to people panic-buying toilet paper, as they did early on in the pandemic; rather it’s because supply chains are clogged at almost every stage between Asian factories and grocery stock rooms…

Sorry Brits, Don't Count on That Ibiza Getaway Just Yet

Just as the UK government dangles the possibility of Brits traveling to more Mediterranean hotspots, European countries could begin imposing more restrictions on visitors. This week has seen a slew of positive news for English holidaymakers. The UK added Malta and Spain’s Balearic Islands to the…

Britain’s Lockdown Legacy? The Revival of Smaller Towns

Britain is undergoing a regional renaissance. People have moved to Dorset from London and are holidaying in Suffolk rather than Spain. Call it the legacy of lockdown: Things are finally heating up outside of the capital. Demand for property in outer regions of the UK has surged, as has…

Covid or Not, Brits Are Eager for Summer Fun

As Britain basked in a mini-heatwave over the long weekend, you could have almost forgotten there were any remaining Covid-19 restrictions on pubs and restaurants. But social distancing, mandatory table service and a ban on groups larger than six are still in place in England until June 21,…