Savings as a Yield Engine: America's Discounters Defy Consumer Slump!

Americans rarely agree, but when it comes to shopping, the same rule applies across all income levels: Price is the deciding factor. This is the conclusion of a recent consumer survey by the analysis firm Bernstein. The reasons are clear. The price level is about one-third above pre-pandemic levels, the Iran war has driven up gasoline prices, the central bank has recently raised interest rates, and consumer sentiment is weak. Meanwhile, even households with six-figure incomes are shopping at Walmart. This trend is only slow to be rewarded on the...