Posted on 07/03/2025 7:06:15 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Americans have one more reason to celebrate this Fourth of July: getting all the gear needed to host a pool party costs less than it has in years, according to a market research company's preliminary data.
The total price to buy beach towels, a beverage cooler, bathing suits and other accoutrements of summer fun averaged $858 in June, the lowest amount for the month since 2020, consumer data provider Numerator said in an analysis prepared for The Associated Press.
The finding from the firm's seasonal snapshot comports with broader economic measures indicating that U.S. consumers so far have not seen major impacts from President Donald Trump's vigorous application of tariffs on foreign goods.
Numerator tracks U.S. retail prices through sales receipts, online account activity and other information from a panel of 200,000 shoppers. To see how prices are shaping up for the summer, the company looked at the average purchase price for 16 seasonal items typically made in China.
Along with four towels, a cooler and bathing suits for two adults and a toddler, the hypothetical shopping list for a poolside gathering included a grill, four patio chairs, four cushions, a patio umbrella and four outdoor pillows. Recreation supplies included a cornhole set, two pairs of swim goggles, a set of diving rings, two beach balls and two pool floats or noodles.
Leo Feler, Numerator's chief economist, offered a few theories for why buying all that stuff cost 11% less last month than it did in June 2023, when the average cost reached a high of $966, and 8.4% less than it did in June 2024.
(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...
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"Just because preparing for a backyard bash might be comparatively less expensive right now, many economists and retail industry analysts still expect consumers to feel the weight of Trump's favorite trade negotiation tool. Shoppers are likely to see higher prices for back-to-school items starting in July and August, according to Feler."
The biggest problem is figuring out who will be the designated driver.
Agreed. The AP is saying things are better this year, but would be even better without Trump. LOL It’s like when they’d say “So-and-so died from covid, but at least they had the vaccine.”
Recreation supplies included a cornhole set
***
“I am cornholio!”
I’m about to make a run for food for our 4th of July.
I did see eggs “on sale” for $3.99/dozen so that is a good sign.
What I hate are the large potato chip bags that are 1/2 full - and expensive at that.
Up next? Watermelon Seed Spitting, and then the Cow-Chip Throwing contest!
There may or may not be a Martini in that coffee mug! ;)
Save money, go to the nude beach.
Remember when Psaki Sh!t bragged with a straight face how a July 4th celebration was going to be sooo much cheaper for Americans the first year Bidet was in office - by $.16???!!!
SIXTEEN CENTS
She actually was crowing and preening about it - not taking into account gas had increased astronomically.
https://dailycaller.com/2021/07/02/peter-doocy-jen-psaki-cost-hotdogs-gas-july-fourth/
In Chicago do they factor in the cost of ammo?
How many stories will we read “190 shots fired; 4 wounded; one dead.”
Photo....
Someone long ago had a sudden inspiration to invent the frisbee.
Uh, when I had a pool, the guests would supply their own beach towels and bathing suits. I already have several coolers.
This list is kind of a dumb gauge of the Economy. I like the ‘Turkey Dinner Math’ much better. ;)
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