Retail sales jumped 1.2% in August after falling in July. But building materials stores — think Home Depot or Lowe’s — still saw a dip. That’s because stretched consumers are putting off “nice-to-haves,” like home renovations. Also in this episode: The future of global energy demand will be driven by a mix of renewables and fossil fuels, high school students take a new AP class melding business and personal finance, and neighbors organize to cooperatively buy their mobile home park. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters">Subscribe</a> to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/">marketplace.org</a> — and consider <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment">making an investment</a> in our future. Read the stories in today’s episode: <ul><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/whats-next-for-global-energy-demand-growth" class="default">The countries driving energy demand growth can't wait for renewables to get cheaper</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/should-the-feds-economic-data-be-public-private-or-both" class="default">Kevin Warsh isn't a "data point-dependent guy"</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/retail-declines-at-home-improvement-stores" class="default">Home improvement stores take a housing market hit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/high-schoolers-take-new-ap-business-with-personal-finance-class" class="default">High schoolers take new AP business with personal finance class</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/colorado-mobile-home-park-residents-organize-to-buy-park-land" class="default">Residents of a mobile home park try to buy their community before someone else does</a></li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/09/17/turning-a-childhood-home-into-a-place-to-share-with-strangers" class="default">Turning a childhood home into a place to share with strangers</a></li></ul>

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