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New discounts aim to help shoppers refresh their homes and wardrobes without overspending

• Target is lowering prices on more than 3,000 products for spring, including apparel, home goods, and essentials.

• Most discounts range from 5% to 20% off, with price cuts rolling out starting in March.

• The move is designed to help shoppers save on seasonal updates while dealing with ongoing inflation.

If youve been waiting for a good time to refresh your wardrobe or home for spring, Target may have just delivered it.

The retailer announced it is lowering prices on more than 3,000 popular items across several categories as part of a seasonal push to give shoppers more value. The reductions began rolling out in March and will continue throughout the spring shopping season.

The move comes as many households continue to feel the impact of higher living costs. By lowering prices on everyday items and seasonal favorites, Target says it wants to make it easier for families to update their homes, wardrobes, and essentials without stretching their budgets.

"Busy families are thinking about value as they begin to update their homes and wardrobes for spring," Cara Sylvester, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target, said in a news release.

"We're delivering by lowering prices on 3,000 spring favorites across apparel, essentials, and home. We're committed to making it easier than ever for guests to have the fresh style and incredible value they love, with lower prices on the items we know they want."

What items are getting cheaper

The price reductions span a wide range of categories, including many items shoppers typically buy as the weather warms up.

According to Target, some of the biggest savings will be found in:

• Apparel: Womens and kids clothing designed for spring trends and everyday wear

• Home items: Bedding sets, blankets, and sheets for seasonal refreshes

• Footwear: Popular styles like flats, sneakers, and sandals

• Everyday essentials: Baby products, household necessities, and pantry staples

• Select food and beverages included in grocery aisles

The company says the discounts are part of a broader strategy to emphasize value for shoppers.

What shoppers should know before heading to the store

If youre planning to shop these new lower prices, a few tips can help you get the most out of them.

• The price cuts wont necessarily appear all at once. Target says the reductions are rolling out throughout the spring season, so you may see new deals appear over time

• Shoppers may be able to stack additional savings. Target notes that customers can combine the lower prices with offers through its Target Circle rewards program, which is free to join and often includes extra discounts and deals.

• Availability may vary by location and online, so its worth checking the app or website if youre looking for a specific item.

Smart shoppers are dividing their grocery list and saving big

• The one-store grocery trip is getting expensive. Many shoppers are realizing no single store has the lowest prices on everything anymore.

• The 3-Store Rule splits your list by store type. Discount grocers for staples, warehouse clubs for bulk items, and traditional supermarkets for weekly sales.

• The payoff can be big. Shoppers who divide their purchases this way can cut grocery bills by about 2030%.

For decades, the typical grocery routine looked the same for most families. You would pick one grocery store, typically the closest, grab everything on your list, and head to the checkout line.

These days, that approach is becoming increasingly expensive and a real budget buster for most families.

After years of inflation, many households are discovering that no single grocery store consistently offers the lowest prices on everything. The result is a shift in how savvy shoppers approach their grocery list.

Instead of relying on one supermarket, many consumers are now using the 3-Store Rule to trim 20-30% off a typical grocery bill.

The idea is fairly simple. You divide your grocery shopping between a discount grocer, a warehouse club, and a traditional supermarket. Each store then plays a specific role in keeping costs down.

Why shoppers are abandoning the 'one-store'grocery habit

In recent years, grocery pricing has become highly specialized, making some stores better than others, and its all very much dependent on the product.

Here are the threetypes of stores to consider:

• Discount grocery stores These include stores like Aldi, WinCo, Lidl, Walmart, and Grocery Outlet.All stores thatfocus on low everyday prices.
• Warehouse clubs Think Costco, Sams Club, and BJs Wholesale. They focus on bulk value.
• Traditional supermarkets This is your Safeway, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Publix. They tend to rely heavily on reward programs, weekly promotions, and loss leaders.

Because of this shift, the cheapest store for milk might not be the cheapest store for cereal, meat, or paper towels.

An example:

A traditional supermarket, like Safeway, may advertise chicken breast for $2.49/pound during a weekly sale.

Meanwhile, a discount grocer might consistently offer cheaper eggs, milk, and bread every day. At the same time, a warehouse club could have the best price on bulk items like coffee, rice, or olive oil.

Shoppers who buy everything in one place often end up paying way more overall.

By splitting purchases across a few stores, consumers can capture the best deals from each.

The '3-Store Rule' broken down:

Heres the playbook that many savvy grocery shoppers are using to dramatically lower their grocery bills.

1. Hit discount grocery stores for everyday staples

First, youll want to visit a discount grocery chain like Aldi, Lidl, Grocery Outlet, Walmart,or WinCo.

They consistently offer the lowest prices on your basic foods and pantry staples.

These stores focus on private-label products and no-frill store layouts, which helps keep their operating costs low.

These are the common items youll want to buy here:

• Milk and eggs
• Fresh produce
• Bread and bakery items
• Pasta, rice, and canned goods
• Cheese and yogurt

When buying these products at these retailers, shoppers find costs are 2030% less compared with larger supermarkets.

Pro tip: If possible, always start your grocery trip at the discount store. Buy as many staples there as possible before heading to the warehouse club. Keeping a small stockpile of non-perishable staples prevents last-minute grocery trips where other shoppers pay full price.

2. Warehouse clubs for bulk savings

Next, youll want to hit up your local Costco, Sams Club, or BJs. This is where youll find the best values on bulk items and pantry and freezer stock-ups.

These stores are known for keeping their profit margins low, typically around 12-15%, and then passing the savings along to you.

Great items to buy here include:

• Paper towels, trash bags, and toilet paper
• Cooking oils and condiments
• Nuts and snack foods
• Coffee and tea
• Frozen foods
• Meat in bulk packages
• Pet foods

Warehouse clubs can offer 2040% lower unit prices on many of these items.

However, the key is buying items youll actually use. Also, try to switch to their store-brands (Kirkland, Members Mark, Berkley Jensen) for even more savings.

Pro tip: Divide and conquer. Consider dividing bulk purchases with family members or friends. By splitting large packages, you get the bulk savings, without risking food waste.

3. Traditional supermarkets for sales and specialty items

Traditional grocery stores still play an important role in the strategy, but they should be your last stop.

Use them only for their aggressive weekly promotions, along with the specialty items that you couldnt find at the discount grocery store or warehouse club.

These promotions often include:

• Buy-one-get-one deals.
• Buy 5, save $5 promotions.
• Seasonal produce discounts.
• Discounted meat and seafood.

These sale items, often products that the store takes a loss on, are designed to draw shoppers in.

Pro tip: Check your supermarkets weekly ad before planning meals. Build your weekly menu around items already on sale.

Use a rotating shopping schedule

Instead of trekking to three stores every week, try to rotate your trips so youre only going to one store per week.

For example:

Week 1: Warehouse club trip.

Week 2: Discount grocer restocks.

Week 3: Supermarket sales run.

This reduces the time spent driving around, and shopping, while still capturing the savings you need.

Why the strategy works

The 3-Store Rule works because modern grocery retailers compete in different ways.

No single store consistently wins across every category.

Discount grocers dominate everyday staples. Warehouse clubs dominate bulk pricing. Traditional supermarkets dominate promotions.

By combining the strengths of each, shoppers can capture the lowest prices across their entire grocery list.

And in a time when food costs remain a major concern for many households, a smarter shopping strategy can make a noticeable difference and can easily save you hundreds of dollars per year.

A relocation expert explains the red flags that could save you money, stress, and your belongings

• Moving are on the rise: Fraudsters often lure customers with low quotes, then inflate the price after belongings are already loaded onto the truck.

• Watch for key red flags: Experts say vague contracts, large upfront deposits, unbranded trucks, and movers who wont provide a not-to-exceed estimate are warning signs.

• Do your homework before booking: Checking licenses, reading reviews, and documenting everything can help protect youand make it easier to act if something goes wrong.

Moving is already one of lifes most stressful events and unfortunately, scammers know it.

As more Americans relocate for work, family, or lifestyle changes, fraudsters are finding new ways to take advantage of people during the process. In fact, a 2025 survey found that 57% of adults encountered some type of scam in the past year, and moving-related fraud is becoming increasingly common.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Bill Mulholland, founder of Agoyu and a relocation expert with more than 25 years of experience in the industry, to learn about how these schemes have grown more sophisticated in recent years.

What are the warning signs?

Mulholland broke down some of the ways that consumers can spot moving .

The most common moving scam is to start with a low quote to get your business and after your belongings are loaded onto the moving truck, the price suddenly skyrockets, he said.

Scammers rely on vague contract language, claiming hidden fees for things like stairs or long carries. The worst part? They often wont give you a final price until after everythings packed, leaving you stuck. Most hold your items hostage until you pay the inflated price.

Know the lingo to avoid

Another key thing to be skeptical of: movers who wont give you not-to-exceed estimates.

The not-to-exceed part is the key, Mulholland said. If the estimate says that it can change, or if the mover demands a large upfront non-refundable deposit, thats a huge red flag.

Never sign a blank or incomplete contract and be cautious if the company doesnt have a physical address or proper licenses. If the truck isnt branded or looks like a rental, thats another sign somethings off.

Other things to ensure before booking a moving company:

• Check that the company is licensed and registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FMCSA if moving across state lines.

• Search for the company on Yelp, Google Reviews, and on the Better Business Bureau.

• Avoid movers demanding large upfront deposits or cash only.

• Ensure the company has a physical address and proper credentials. Doing your research up front can help you avoid falling victim to a scam.

What to do if youre involved in a moving scam

If you find yourself caught in a moving scam, hope isnt lost. Mulholland shared his best tips:

• Document everything by taking photos, saving messages and keeping all the contracts.

• Contact your local authorities and report the company to the FMCSA or your states consumer protection agency.

• Look to leave online reviews on Google or Yelp to warn other consumers.

• If payments were made, dispute the charges with your bank or credit card company.

The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering your losses and preventing the scam from continuing, he said.

Dont leave anything to chance

Mulhollands biggest piece of advice when moving: dont leave anything to chance.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in life, and unfortunately, scammers prey on that vulnerability, he said. With the right precautions, you can avoid most of the risks and make your move a smooth one. At the end of the day, being proactive and informed is your best defense against .

Discount chains and value retailers are driving the growth

• Retail isnt dyingits shifting. More than 900 stores are set to open in 2026, even as weaker locations close.

• Discount chains are leading the growth, with Dollar General (450 stores) and Aldi (180 stores) driving much of the expansion.

• More store openings could mean better deals as retailers compete harder for budget-focused shoppers.

More than 900 new retail stores are expected to open across the U.S. in 2026, even as many chains continue shutting down underperforming locations.

So far, retailers have announced more than 1,200 store closures for 2026, following over 4,100 closures in 2025. However, while some brands are shrinking their footprints, others are aggressively expanding. This is especially true with discount chains and value-focused retailers.

Heres a look at the biggest store expansions planned for the year.

Discount chains are leading the growth

Several of the fastest-growing retailers right now are discount chains that focus on value and what many consider bargain shopping.

It makes perfect sense as consumers continue to tighten their budgets due to quickly rising gas prices and ever-looming inflation worries that still linger.

Dollar stores, discount grocers, and off-price retailers are opening new locations across the country in an effort to capture those value-focused shoppers.

These retailers plan the most new stores

According to company announcements and industry reports, these chains are planning some of the largest expansions in 2026:

• Dollar General: 450 new stores
• Aldi: 180 new grocery stores
• Ollies Bargain Outlet: 75 stores
• Barnes & Noble: 60 stores
• Dollar Tree: 33 stores
• Target: 33 stores
• Costco: 28 stores
• BJs Wholesale Club: about 2530 stores across 20252026
• Kroger: 14 new grocery stores
• Nordstrom Rack: At least 13 stores
• Uniqlo: 11 stores
• L.L. Bean: 8 stores
• Walmart: 5 new stores in early 2026

Altogether, these expansions alone account for over 900 planned openings.

Aldi is one of the fastest-growing grocers

Discount grocer Aldi plans to open more than 180 new stores across 31 states by the end of 2026.

With the expansion, Aldi expects to operate nearly 2,800 U.S. locations, moving closer to its long-term goal of 3,200 stores.

The chain has gained popularity for its private-label products, smaller stores, and consistently lower grocery prices.

Dollar General continues its aggressive expansion

Dollar General is opening the largest number of locations, with plans for 450 new stores this year.

The company has built its growth strategy around smaller stores in rural communities and underserved areas, where shoppers tend to have fewer retail options.

Even bookstores are opening again

In a surprising turnaround for brick-and-mortar retail, Barnes & Noble plans to open 60 new stores.

The company credits its resurgence to a strategy that gives local booksellers more control over store selections and merchandising.

What this means for shoppers

Many of the retailers expanding the fastest right now are discount stores, warehouse clubs, and value-focused grocers.

That trend suggests consumers are continuing to prioritize lower prices and everyday deals, especially for groceries and household items.

For shoppers, new store openings can also bring more competition and potentially lower prices, particularly when discount chains enter a new market.

Theres been a slowing in rent increases, but rents are still at a high level

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Rent growth has stalled nationwide, but millions of renters still face severe affordability challenges after years of pandemic-era rent increases.

• Nearly half of all U.S. renters are cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a new Harvard housing report.

• Rising construction costs and a shift toward higher-priced apartments are shrinking the supply of lower-cost rental units.

Despite a recent slowdown in rent increases and signs of cooling in the apartment constructionpipeline, rental housing in the United States remains deeply unaffordable for households across a wide range of income levels, according to a new report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

The report, "Americas Rental Housing 2026," finds that headline rent figures showing little or no growth in recent years mask the financial strain facing millions of renters who are still grappling with the lingering effects of steep pandemic-era rent hikes and a shrinking supply of lower-cost units.

Headline numbers showing flat or falling rents can be misleading, said Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies. For millions of renters, especially those with lower and moderate incomes, housing is deeply unaffordable.

National rent growth hovered near zero from mid-2023 through 2025, after surging earlier in the decade. By the fourth quarter of 2025, asking rents for professionally-managed apartments had declined 0.6% compared with a year earlier. Vacancy rates rose to 5.2%, roughly the same level as a year earlier, as rental demand slowed faster than new supply reached the market.

Construction still strong but slowing

Multifamily construction activity remains high by historical standards, though it has begun to retreat from recent peaks. Developers started about 416,000 multifamily units in 2025, below the three-decade high recorded in 2022, but still above typical pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, the number of apartments under construction dropped significantly from a record 996,000 units in 2023 to 686,000 in 2025. Market data also show a sharp year-over-year drop in new construction starts, suggesting a broader slowdown ahead.

Rising costs are a major factor. Between January 2020 and December 2025, prices for materials used in residential construction increased 42%, while employment costs for construction workers rose 24%.

These pressures have pushed developers toward higher-priced projects, contributing to a major shift in the rental market. From 2014 to 2024, the number of units renting for less than $1,400 per month fell by 9.3 million, while units renting for $1,400 or more increased by 11.8 million.

Cost burdens reach record levels

Even as rent growth has cooled, affordability problems have intensified. The report estimates that 22.7 million renter households in 2024about 49% of all renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, the threshold commonly used to define a cost burden.

Among them, 12.1 million households were severely cost burdened, meaning they spent more than half their income on housing.

Over the past five years, the share of renters facing cost burdens has risen in 44 states and in 88 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. The trend increasingly affects middle-income households, as well as those with the lowest incomes.

The affordability crisis is no longer confined to the lowest-income households, said Whitney Airgood-Obrycki, a senior research associate at the center. She noted that renters earning between $45,000 and $75,000 annually are increasingly struggling to keep up with housing costs.

Safety-net programs under pressure

The report warns that federal rental assistance and housing preservation programs are not keeping pace with growing demand. Aging rental housing, energy costs, and climate-related risks are also increasing the need for investment in the nations housing stock.

Budget cuts to some safety-net programs and delays in energy assistance funding are adding pressure on household finances, while potential changes to disaster assistance policies could shift more responsibility to state and local governments.

Meanwhile, the high cost of homeownership is likely to keep many households renting longer. However, broader economic uncertainty and stricter immigration policies could also dampen rental demand in some markets.