Economic Impact of Retail Closures and Federal Relief Efforts

5.2 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million — nearly wiping out all the job gains made since the Great Recession.

Retail spending, another key economic indicator, is also suffering: down a record 8.7% last month, the largest monthly fall since the Commerce Department began tracking retail sales three decades ago.

This episode: political correspondent Scott Detrow, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.

Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org
Join the Facebook group at n.pr/politicsgroup
Subscribe to our newsletter at npr.org/politicsnewsletter
Find and support your local public radio station at donate.npr.org

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy