NPR wants to know whether rising prices have led you to shop differently for groceries, travel or entertainment; use "buy now pay later" services; or dip into savings to cover your debts.

Retail sales dipped 0.4% in February after a surprise start-of-the-year surge that appeared at odds with the Federal Reserve's goal of cooling down the economy.

Retailers have dropped a flurry of financial reports. They paint a messy and conflicting picture about our consumer economy.

Are we in a recession? It seems like a straightforward question, but the data tells conflicting stories.

Inside our shopping cart is a story of global trade, extreme weather, shrinking packages and rising prices.

Shoppers are expected to spend a record amount of money this year because nearly everything is more expensive. There are some relative bargains, if you know where to look.

More than 60% of shoppers say the economy is affecting their holiday plans. Many say they'll be more selective in their purchases, going for cheaper goods and less expensive stores.

Remember when we couldn't get enough athleisure? Or pajamas? Now, the hottest question for clothing retailers is whether they've got an "inventory glut." For shoppers, this means discounts.

Here's what we learned from a hectic spate of financial report cards shared by top U.S. retailers.

This year's back-to-school shopping season lands in the middle of the highest inflation in four decades — how will this affect spending?

Have you used Afterpay, Klarna or any other options to pay for your purchase in installments? Are you facing unexpected fees or loving the convenience? We want to hear from you.

It's peak season for returns, which are setting a new record. Some end up back on shelves or get resold to other merchants, and some wind up in landfills or sail overseas.

People order pallets of online returns, knowing either something or next to nothing about what they're getting, and then they open the pallets for the benefit of YouTube viewers.

The U.S. is dotted with more warehouses than ever. But they are overwhelmed by record-level imports, a lack of workers and a shopping spree of unprecedented proportions.

Last year it was all about chairs and headphones. This year it's time for T-shirts and sneakers — and more laptops. Back-to-school shopping in the U.S. is expected to top $37 billion.