What consumers have done differently and whether frugality will become frou-frou

The ebbing of the pandemic has brought price increases, supply bottlenecks and labor shortages. Key indicators will show whether it’s just a stage.

The proportion of older workers participating in the labor force is hovering at its worst level since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, potentially impairing economic growth.

Companies are forgoing investment and turning down contracts as they compete with unemployment benefits and wage increases at larger firms.