Consumer News - News of Austin

Hands holding newspaper with headline Economic Confidence Level Since Tariffs on a table with charts.

Consumer Confidence Drops to 89.1 Amid Inflation and Tariff Concerns

Aiden V. Crossfield December 24, 2025

In December, American consumers’ trust in the economy slipped sharply, with the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index falling to 89.1—its...

Young woman examining a wrapped gift with holiday storefront lights and bustling shoppers in a shopping street.

Business News Consumer News Retail News

Holiday Shopping Shows Steady Growth Amid Economic Uncertainty

Gavin U. Stonebridge December 24, 2025

Consumers increased gift‑giving during the first seven weeks of the holiday season, but the pace of spending is tempered by worries about the...

Traveler sits at airline counter using laptop with Flighty app glowing and natural light illuminating a calm green space.

Consumer News Tech News Travel News

Flighty App Helps Travelers Beat Stress with Real-Time Flight Data

Morgan J. Carter December 24, 2025

Traveling during the holiday season can feel like a maze, but a new tool promises to turn the chaos into calm. How Flighty Keeps Travelers in...

Holiday living room glowing with warm light near a bare Christmas tree and falling snow outside window.

Consumer News News Report

Cash, Gift Cards Still Top Holiday Picks as Secondhand Gifts Lag, Poll Finds

Gavin U. Stonebridge December 24, 2025

A new AP‑NORC poll shows that while most Americans still find cash and gift cards acceptable holiday gifts, secondhand and re‑gifted items are less...

Electric space heater glowing alone in dusty living room with winter gloom and gray shadows

Business News Consumer News Energy News

Electric Heating Costs Rise 10% Nationwide; Natural Gas Flat Except in Midwest

Hannah E. Clearwater December 24, 2025

Millions of cash‑strapped Americans are about to see their heating bills climb this winter, according to two recent analyses of national energy data....

A Quesarito is unwrapped revealing melted cheese with a sunset sky and Austin cityscape in the background

Consumer News News Report

Taco Bell Brings Back the Quesarito for a Limited Holiday Run

Aiden V. Crossfield December 24, 2025

After years of anticipation, Taco Bell has finally answered a long‑time fan request by reintroducing one of its most iconic items. The fast‑food...

Crowd raising cocktail glasses with neon lights and wet pavement reflecting a bustling nighttime cityscape

Business News Consumer News

Alaska Leads U.S. in Alcohol Spending per Adult, $1,250 on Average, Study Finds

Brianna Q. Lockwood December 24, 2025

Americans poured a staggering $228 billion into alcohol last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic...