Economics in the News – Sept. 15-21, 2025 

Economics impacts our lives every day. Below are some of the top storylines from this past week related to economics.

o   Musicals that debuted on Broadway last year are struggling. Last year, 18 musicals debuted on Broadway and none of them have yet to turn a profit. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway has had 46 new musicals costing $800 million and only three have successfully turned a profit. The ones that have successfully turned a profit include Michael Jackson feature “MJ,” “& Juliet,” and the story of King Henry III’s wives “Six.” However, those three received assistance from the federal government designed to help the arts industry recover from the pandemic.

Producers blame the skyrocketing costs associated with putting on a show while the costs to attend has remained relatively flat. However, even attendance has lagged behind pre-pandemic norms. The long-running shows, such as “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Hamilton” are still popular with theatergoers. However, new spectacles are seen as vital by industry experts to maintaining a healthy theater ecosystem. Some producers believe that an oversupply of new musicals entered the market post-pandemic, creating a situation where Broadway was putting out more shows than could be supported. [The New York Times]

o   Hamburger Helper is once again becoming a staple in American homes, as sales are up 14.5 percent year-over-year. The increase in sales comes at a time when most food companies are seeing declines in demand. Shoppers are increasingly opting for more store-brand items, and shopping for necessities rather than luxury items.

Hamburger Helper is often known for being a low-cost, budget-friendly meal option and is commonly purchased by consumers in difficult financial periods. Other food sales that have seen increases in sales this year include, rice, beans, macaroni and cheese. In Hamburger Helper’s case, the soaring price of beef in the US has played a role, as it provides an alternative for flavors added to meals. [The New York Times]

o   Starbucks has been making an effort to choreograph the way its baristas speak to customers and read customers’ moods. It is part of an initiative for Starbucks to be seen as the neighborhood café and becoming more inviting, seeking to help the struggling brand who has suffered six consecutive quarters of same-store sales drops. In order to accomplish the feat of training their baristas, Starbucks has spent millions on standardizing all aspects of training.

While Starbucks is seeking to become more welcoming and inviting, its rival Dunkin’ is taking the opposite approach. Instead, Dunkin’ is choosing to bet that customers are more interested in speed and price. In addition, coffee companies such as Dutch Bros and Luckin Coffee are drawing an increasing number of Starbucks customers to their stores. [The Wall Street Journal]

o   Many Americans are feeling stuck. Growing economic and political uncertainty, along with high borrowing costs and fewer job openings, Americans are feeling the impacts. Many families are staying put, as home sales have reached their lowest levels since the Great Recession. That has led to census data suggesting that Americans are moving less to new homes and cities than they have in recent memory.

According to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll, two times as many Americans believe it is a bad time to find a job, as opposed to those who say it’s a good time. In the past seven months, those who have remained in their jobs have received higher pay increases than those who have changed positions, according to the Atlanta Fed. [The Washington Post]

o   President Donald Trump’s trade policies are taking a toll on American farmers. Hotlines and mental health forums that cater to agricultural workers have experienced an increase in calls. And they are bracing for more calls, as the fall harvest season approaches.

For farmers, the latest trade wars decimated demand for key American crops. The Trump administration’s policies on illegal immigrants have also greatly reduced the number of workers that farmers rely upon, as they accounted for 40 percent of farmworkers. Less federal assistance means more stress, as small-business farm bankruptcies are at their highest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And farm debt is projected to reach an all-time high. [Bloomberg]