Kristen Schwab

Kristen Schwab, a consumer and retail reporter, dives into 'surveillance pricing,' revealing how companies use data to manipulate prices. Stephanie Hughes sheds light on the grim job market for young people, with an unemployment rate of 8.2% for those aged 20-24. Mitchell Hartman discusses China's burgeoning trade surplus and its impact on U.S. businesses, while Elizabeth Troval explores how increased Venezuelan oil production could disrupt U.S.-Canada crude flows. Together, they unpack the intricate dance of economics in everyday life.

Kristen Schwab, a Marketplace reporter, sheds light on the concept of surveillance pricing—where retailers leverage personalized data to set unique prices for each customer. She contrasts this with dynamic pricing, which is based solely on demand. The conversation dives into the history of personalized sales, raising ethical concerns about legality. Schwab also shares surprising findings from experiments at Walmart, revealing how logged-in users often face higher prices. The discussion unveils a hidden world of targeted discounts and consumer data manipulation.

Mitchell Hartman, a Marketplace reporter covering global trade, joins Kristen Schwab, who delves into surveillance pricing, and Stephanie Hughes, who explores the struggles of Gen Z entering the workforce. They discuss young adults facing an 8.2% unemployment rate, up from last year, and the challenges posed by timid hiring practices. Hartman explains China's 20% trade surplus growth, while Schwab unravels how retailers utilize data for personalized pricing, revealing its pitfalls for consumers. It's a deep dive into economics affecting today's youth.