affluent consumers

US holiday retail sales are expected to grow at a faster pace this season, driven largely by affluent shoppers who are less affected by inflation and higher borrowing costs. Analysts say wealthy households continue spending on travel, luxury goods and experiences, while lower-income consumers remain more cautious. The trend highlights a widening split in American consumer spending heading into the holidays.

A Japanese-language essay examines America's postwar 'golden age' of the 1940s and 1950s, when clothing shifted from being a practical tool to an expression of fashion. The piece frames this era as the foundation of an affluent America, exploring how mass prosperity and consumer culture changed the way people dressed and thought about style.

Commentary on airfare trends is being used to illustrate America's K-shaped economy, where affluent households keep spending while lower-income consumers pull back. Rising fares for some travelers alongside softness elsewhere are cited as a signal of that divide. The piece argues travel pricing data offers a window into how differently the two halves of the economy are coping with current conditions.