September 26, 2025

  • U.S. consumer spending continues to show relative strength, according to Commerce Department figures. Spending was up 0.6%, or 0.4% adjusted for inflation, in August, despite ongoing inflationary pressure and tariff concerns (via CNN Business).
  • Halloween candy price hikes are being noted by U.S. consumers, per Trax data. A sizable majority (79%) indicated they will be trimming back their Halloween candy budget this year, and an even greater cohort (86%) indicated they had noticed the price of sugary treats moving upward (via Chain Store Age).
  • Amazon has reached a historic settlement with the FTC to the tune of $2.5 billion, with $1.5 billion of that sum being directed to refunding customers “harmed by their deceptive Prime enrollment practices,” per an agency press release (via CNN Business).
  • Costco beat Q4 estimates on both the profit and revenue fronts, with a consumer focus on value seemingly driving strength for the warehouse club (via Reuters).
  • Walmart is partnering with Spanish soccer league La Liga, aiming to grow the American fanbase for the sport through a number of activations (via CNBC).
  • President Trump announced a new raft of tariff measures to come into effect Oct. 1. Pharmaceuticals, home goods, and heavy trucks, in particular, will see new tariff measures applied (via FOX Business).