

Tariff anxiety turns fun splurges into stress purchases
15 snips Apr 16, 2025
Mitchell Hartman, a Marketplace reporter specializing in industrial production, joins Jonathan Secreta from CFRA Research, an analyst focused on manufacturing and trade. They discuss how tariff fears are reshaping discretionary spending, turning fun splurges into stress purchases. The conversation touches on a mixed manufacturing report, Bitcoin's fluctuating status as 'digital gold,' and the recovery efforts for community members affected by California wildfires. Listeners gain insights into the emotional and economic dynamics driving contemporary consumer behavior.
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Tariff Anxiety Fuels Non-Essential Spending
- Consumers are panic-buying non-essential items due to tariff anxieties.
- This behavior gives them a sense of control during economic uncertainty.
Spice Stockpiling
- Aaron Weber, a cook, stocked up on imported spices due to tariff concerns.
- He spent around $160, exceeding his usual spending on spices.
Spending as a Coping Mechanism
- Consumers feel helpless against economic forces like tariffs.
- Spending becomes a way to regain control, especially for non-essential items.