logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
26m 54s

The dollar store dilemma

MARKETPLACE
About this episode



Several American dollar store chains have been down bad these days. Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and 99 Cents Only have all recently announced store closures. On the other hand, Dollar General is poised to expand. This has us wondering: What’s going on with the dollar store business model? Has today’s inflationary economy broken it? On the show today, Sandro Steinbach, professor of agribusiness and applied economics at North Dakota State University, explains the economics behind dollar stores, how they keep prices so low, and the impact they have on different communities.



Then, we’ll discuss privacy risks while using popular dating apps. And, what the Australian kids’ show “Bluey” can teach us about the economy.



Here’s everything we talked about:


































Want more Make Me Smart in your life? Sigh up for our newsletter at marketplace.org/smarter.


Up next
Aug 22
Economics on Tap: Anime Edition
On the show today, Kimberly joins us from the anime convention AnimeNYC to share more about the economic impact of the anime industry and what cosplayers and business owners are saying about the economy right now. Spoiler alert: Tariffs are top of mind! And, we’ll weigh in on cor ... Show More
26m 48s
Aug 21
What to know about changing COVID vaccine guidelines
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, and the federal guidelines for who should get vaccinated are in flux. We’ll unpack how it could impact what insurers are willing to cover this fall. And, as President Trump’s federal takeover of Washington D.C. continues, why is the city so q ... Show More
16m 7s
Aug 20
Trump turns up the heat on the Fed
Ahead of the central bank’s big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign over accusations of fraud. We’ll get into it. And, SpaceX got a win in federal court that could have last ... Show More
23m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Money Talks: Top dollar
This year, the dollar is up by 15% against the yen, 10% against the pound and 5% against the yuan. In July, it briefly hit parity against the Euro, something that last happened two decades ago. What’s behind the greenback’s rise? In this week’s show, hosts Mike Bird, Alice Fulwoo ... Show More
39m 42s
Aug 2022
Money Talks: Top dollar
This year, the dollar is up by 15% against the yen, 10% against the pound and 5% against the yuan. In July, it briefly hit parity against the Euro, something that last happened two decades ago. What’s behind the greenback’s rise? In this week’s show, hosts Mike Bird, Alice Fulwoo ... Show More
39m 42s
May 2018
Euro Weakness vs. Dollar Strength with Rosenberg
Jeff Rosenberg, BlackRock Chief Fixed Income Strategist, says his EM view has changed quite a bit in the past few months.Stefan Selig, BridgePark Advisors Managing Partner & Former Under-Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, says it makes no sense to think of our trade d ... Show More
35m 25s
Jul 2022
Get your euros
If you’re planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, now is the time to exchange your dollars for euros. For the first time in 20 years, $1 is nearly equal to one euro. We’ll talk about what it means for the global economy. Plus, mini-explainers on carry trades and Sri Lankas’s econ ... Show More
18m 31s
May 2021
A Strange Moment for the U.S. Economy
Why is the economic recovery from the pandemic so uneven? Why are companies finding it hard to hire? And why are the prices of used cars surging?Recent economic reports have commentators scratching their heads. We dig into the theories behind this strange moment for the American ... Show More
33m 16s
Apr 2024
Why the US dollar is the world’s problem
The American economy is strong — and the dollar is extremely expensive. Today on the show, we talk about how the strong dollar affects the rest of the world, pressuring importers, benefitting manufacturers, and causing capital to flow into the United States. Also we go long McDon ... Show More
16m 2s
Sep 2022
Why Is the U.S. Dollar So Strong? Will It Continue?
What has caused the U.S. dollar's currency exchange rate to be the strongest in twenty years? How a strong dollar leads to slower global economic growth and falling asset prices.Topics covered include:Why a strong dollar is a no-win situation for the rest of the worldWhy have inf ... Show More
30m 29s
Dec 2023
Economics on Tap: Wastewater beer edition
The future of beer is here. “How We Survive” host Amy Scott is on the show today to help us taste test beer brewed from recycled water. And we’ll get into George Santos’ expulsion from the House and why his lies and luxurious spending were particularly provoking. Then we’ll weigh ... Show More
35m 27s