Consumer News: HelloFresh meals recalled over listeria concerns

But consumers are clearly worried about the future

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. consumer confidence edged higher in March, marking a second straight monthly gain.

• Short-term expectations declined, reflecting growing concern about inflation, jobs, and income.

• Rising costs tied to tariffs and oil prices weighed heavily on consumers outlook.

Despite surging gasoline prices and a lackluster job market, consumers appear to be feeling a little better about things. Consumer confidence rose modestly in March, extending a recent upward trend driven by improved perceptions of current economic conditions, even as Americans grew more cautious about the future.

The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index ticked up 0.8 points to 91.8 in March from 91.0 in February. The gain was largely fueled by a stronger assessment of present conditions, while expectations for the months ahead deteriorated.

The Present Situation Index jumped 4.6 points to 123.3, reflecting improved views of business activity and the labor market. By contrast, the Expectations Index fell 1.7 points to 70.9well below the threshold of 80 that often signals a potential recession ahead.

Consumer confidence ticked up again in March, as a modest improvement in consumers' views of current conditions outweighed a slight downshift in expectations for the future, said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board.

While March was a slight improvement, confidence remains on a broader downward trajectory that dates back to 2021. Underlying the mixed results are persistent concerns about rising prices, particularly as higher oil costs and tariff-related price pressures filter through the economy.

Inflation expectations are up

Inflation expectations surged in March to levels not seen since August 2025, when consumers were bracing for additional tariffs. At the same time, more Americans now expect interest rates to rise over the next year, and optimism about stock market gains has declined sharply.

Consumers also expressed growing anxiety about the broader economic outlook. The share of respondents who believe a recession is very likely in the next 12 months increased, while fewer said a downturn was unlikely.

Spending intentions reflect that caution. While interest in major purchases like cars and furniture remains relatively resilient, more consumers are shifting toward saying no when asked about big-ticket buying plans. Preferences continue to favor used cars over new ones, and existing homes over new construction.

Prioritizing essentials

At the same time, households are prioritizing essentials and lower-cost activities. Spending plans for services declined across most categories, with consumers focusing on necessities such as utilities and healthcare while cutting back on discretionary expenses like travel. Foreign travel plans dropped sharply, likely due to geopolitical tensions, while domestic travel held steadier.

Demographic data showed uneven sentiment. Younger consumers remained the most optimistic, while those 55 and older were the least confident. Millennials were the only age group to report improved confidence in March, while most income groups saw declines.

Survey responses highlighted the dominant concerns: rising costs, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions. Mentions of oil prices and conflict increased significantly during the survey period, underscoring the impact of global events on household sentiment.

Overall, while current conditions appear to be stabilizing, the outlook suggests consumers remain warybalancing a still-solid present against a more uncertain future.

It marks a reversal from the companys recent downsizing trend.

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• CVS plans to open more new retail locations than it closes in 2026, signaling a strategic pivot after years of downsizing

• The company is focusing on smaller-format stores and health-focused locations tied to its care delivery strategy

• Executives say the shift reflects changing consumer demand and a renewed emphasis on in-person services

It turns out brick-and-mortar retail may not be headed for extinction. CVS Health is preparing to expand its retail footprint in 2026, marking a notable shift after several years of store closures aimed at streamlining operations and adapting to changing consumer habits.

The company announced that it expects to open more stores than it closes next year, reversing a downsizing trend that saw hundreds of locations shuttered across the U.S. since 2021. The move reflects growing confidence in its evolving retail model, which blends traditional pharmacy services with a broader healthcare offering.

"Pharmacists are among the most accessible and most trusted healthcare providers," Len Shankman, a senior executive at CVS Health, told Healthcare Finance. "We know how important it is for patients to be able to speak one-on-one with their pharmacist, have their questions answered and seek medication advice when needed."

A new kind of store

Rather than returning to its legacy large-format stores, CVS is prioritizing smaller, more targeted locations. Many of the planned openings will be designed to support healthcare services, including primary care, chronic disease management, and wellness monitoring.

These locations will often be integrated with CVS-owned healthcare assets, such as Oak Street Health clinics and MinuteClinic services. The goal is to create community-based health hubs that complement the companys insurance and pharmacy benefit management businesses.

Industry analysts say the approach reflects broader trends in retail healthcare.

CVSs earlier store closure program was part of a multi-year plan to reduce costs and eliminate underperforming locations. Between 2021 and 2024, the company announced the closure of roughly 900 stores, citing shifting shopping patterns and increased digital adoption.

But while foot traffic for traditional retail items has declined, demand for in-person healthcare services has remained strong. That dynamic is driving the companys renewed investment in brick-and-mortar locations.

Executives emphasized that the new stores will be strategically placed, often in underserved or high-growth areas, rather than densely saturated retail corridors.

Balancing digital and physical growth

The expansion does not signal a retreat from CVSs digital ambitions. The company continues to invest heavily in online prescription management, home delivery, and virtual care services.

Instead, the strategy is aimed at creating a hybrid model where digital tools and physical locations work together. For example, patients may begin care through a telehealth visit and then be referred to a nearby CVS location for follow-up services.

CVSs move comes amid intensifying competition in the retail healthcare space. Rivals including Walgreens, Walmart, and Amazon are all experimenting with different models to capture a share of the growing market for accessible, low-cost care.

By shifting back into expansion modebut with a redesigned store conceptCVS may be attempting to differentiate itself through integration and scale.

The CPSC says the cords are dangerous and dont belong in US homes

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Federal safety officials have pushed major online marketplaces to remove dangerous male-to-male extension cords from sale.

• The cords can expose live electrical prongs, creating a high risk of electrocution, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Regulators are urging consumers to stop using the products immediately and dispose of them safely.

Federal regulators are warning consumers that just because a product is sold by a reputable U.S. retailer that it meets all safety standards. Some consumer products imported from China do not.

In the latest example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has gottenagreements from major e-commerce platforms including Walmart, eBay and AliExpress to remove hazardous male-to-male extension cords from their listings, stepping up a long-running effort to keep the products out of American homes.

The cords, sometimes referred to as suicide cords, feature two male ends with exposed prongs. When plugged into a power source, those prongs can become energized, posing a severe risk of electrocution or fire. Federal officials say the products have no legitimate household use and should never be used under any circumstances.

These cords pose a serious risk of fire and electrocution, said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman in a statement. We are now taking the next step by securing delisting commitments from e-commerce platforms to remove these dangerous products from the marketplace.

The agency also warned that the cords are frequently used in a hazardous practice known as backfeeding, in which a generator is connected directly to a homes electrical system. This can energize power lines unexpectedly, putting users, utility workers and others at risk of serious injury or death.

Additional risk

Compounding the danger, the cords are typically short, increasing the likelihood that generators will be operated too close to homes or in enclosed spaces. That raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, a potentially fatal hazard.

The recalled-style cords were commonly sold in blue, red or yellow and feature three-prong black plugs on both ends. They were manufactured in China and sold online by multiple third-party sellers across the platforms. Among those identified by regulators are Shenzhen Lieniao Import & Export, Wz-Ei Co. Ltd., Ganjiang New District Yuslow Toys Sales Co. Ltd., and several other China-based companies operating storefronts on eBay and AliExpress.

According to the CPSC, those sellers have not responded to requests for recalls or additional product information. Despite that, the agency said it was able to work directly with the marketplaces to remove the listings and secure commitments to identify and delist similar products going forward.

Consumers who have purchased the cords are urged to stop using them immediately. The CPSC advises unplugging the cords carefully and avoiding contact with the exposed prongs before disposing of them.

The agency said the action is part of a broader effort to prevent hazardous products from reaching U.S. consumers through online marketplaces, where oversight of third-party sellers has been an ongoing challenge.

The 10% discount that isnt completely equal

• Both stores offer 10% off, but Home Depot caps savings at $400/year while Lowes has no cap, making it far more valuable for bigger projects.

• Lowes is easier to use in-store (just your phone number), while Home Depot requires app setup and a QR code, adding friction at checkout.

• Bottom line: use Home Depot for small purchases early in the year, then switch to Lowes for ongoing spending to maximize total savings.

At first glance, The Home Depot and Lowes military discount appear very similara flat 10% off your purchase.

But once you start looking a little closer, you notice they have different spending limits and one is much easier to use when shopping in-store.

With that said, lets dive into each stores discount and how they work, along with a handy side-be-side breakdown. Plus, I'llcover some clever strategies to get the maximum value out of each.

How the Home Depot military discount works

The Home Depot military discount offers:

• 10% off eligible purchases
• Available year-round
• For active duty, veterans, and spouses
• Good both online and in-store

On paper, it sounds fairly straightforward. In practice, there are a few key limitations that matter to shoppers.

Specifically, the fine print that impacts your savings the most is a $400 discount annual cap.

Once youve saved $400 in a calendar year, the discount shuts off until the following year. That means if you spend roughly $4,000 annually, youve maxed it out.

App-based redemption system

You need to verify your military status (this is done via SheerID) and generate a QR code in the Home Depot app for in-store purchases.

Category exclusions

Many high-dollar categories, such as appliances, building materials, lumber, and installation services are excluded. These are often the exact items where shoppers expect the biggest savings.

What this means in real life

Home Depots discount works best for:

• Smaller, everyday purchases
• Occasional DIY projects
• Shoppers who wont hit the annual cap

If youre doing a major remodel, or making repeated trips, the $400 cap comes into play fairly quickly.

Pro tip: Be sure to set-up your Home Depot military discount online before you shop. This is important, as it will slow things down if youre not set-up ahead of time. Do NOT ask to do it at the register, as theyll simply point you to their app to get your military status verified.

How the Lowes military discount works

Similar to Home Depot, Lowes also offers:

• 10% off eligible purchases
• Available every day
• For active duty, veterans, and spouses
• Can also be used online and in-store

Also, its worth noting that Lowes uses ID.me, not SheerID, to confirm your military status.

Category exclusions

Similar to Home Depot, several high-dollar categories like appliances, dimensional lumber, electrical supplies, and installation services are excluded.

The key advantages:

• No annual savings cap:This is the biggest differentiator. Whether you spend $500 or $15,000, the 10% continues to apply.
• Simple redemption process:Once verified, you can apply the discount using your MyLowes account or phone number. No QR codes or extra steps are required at checkout.
• Seamless online and in-store use:The discount integrates cleanly whether youre shopping in-store or online. This makes it much easier to plan purchases and compare prices.
• Fewer friction points:While exclusions still exist, the process tends to feel more consistent and predictable for repeat shoppers.

What this means in real life:

Lowes is better suited for:

• Larger home improvement projects.
• Frequent shoppers and contractors.
• Anyone planning to spend beyond a few thousand dollars annually.

Pro tip: Be sure to stack your Lowes military discount with their seasonal sales for maximum savings. In particular, your best bet is to stack your savings during these events:

• Spring home improvement season
• Memorial Day and Fourth of July sales
• Black Friday and holiday sales

Side-by-side comparison (what actually matters)

Military discount value:

• Both offer 10% off eligible items
• Result: Tie

Annual savings potential:

• Home Depot: Capped at $400
• Lowes: No cap
• Advantage: Lowes

Ease of use:

• Home Depot: Requires app and QR code
• Lowes: Tied to account or phone number
• Advantage: Lowes

Flexibility for large purchases:

• Home Depot: Limited due to cap and exclusions
• Lowes: Continues to apply as spending increases
• Advantage: Lowes

In-store vs. online:

• Home Depot: Works, but requires extra steps
• Lowes: More seamless experience
• Advantage: Lowes

The real winner

Lowes comes out ahead for most shoppers, especially anyone spending meaningful money on home improvement or DIY projects.

The unlimited nature of the Lowes discount changes the math significantly.

As your spending increases at both home improvement stores, that gap obviously widens quickly. Over the course of a full home renovation, for instance, the difference can easily reach several hundred dollars.

How to use both stores strategically

The best approach is not choosing Lowes over Home Depot every time, but instead use each discount where it makes the most sense.

Strategy 1: Max out the Home Depot discount early.

Use Home Depot for:

• Smaller purchases early in the year.
• Items you already plan to buy there.

Once you hit the $400 cap, theres no additional benefit to continuing to use the discount.

Strategy 2: Shift to Lowes for ongoing spending.

After hitting the $400 Home Depot cap:

• Move all remaining purchases to Lowes.
• Continue collecting the full 10% savings without limits.

This is where the long-term value really adds up.

Strategy 3: Compare exclusions before buying.

Obviously not all items qualify at both stores. So before making a large purchase:

• Add the item to your cart at both retailers.
• Check whether the discount applies.

In some cases, one store will honor the discount while the other will not.

From spiral ham to ready-made sides, heres how the warehouse giant is simplifying Easter hosting in 2026

• A ready-to-serve Easter meal from Sam's Club is designed to cut down prep time and stress.

• The spread includes classic mains, sides, and desserts that can feed a crowd.

• Convenience and value are the big selling points but shoppers should plan ahead.

If youre hosting Easter this year but not exactly thrilled about spending the entire day in the kitchen, Sam's Club has a solution.

The retailer is leaning hard into convenience for 2026 with a holiday meal offering thats designed to take the pressure off planning, prepping, and cooking without sacrificing that traditional Easter spread.

The idea is simple: let shoppers pick up most (or all) of their holiday meals in one stop, with minimal prep required at home. Its part of a broader push toward stress-free entertaining, with options that work whether youre hosting a big family gathering or keeping things low-key.

Whats included in the Easter meal

At the center of the offering is a lineup of classic Easter staples. And if youre hosting a group of 15, the total comes out to about $9 per person.

Shoppers can choose from mains like spiral-cut ham or lamb, along with a variety of ready-made sides and desserts. Think mac and cheese, potatoes, rolls, and bakery items like cakes or cookies all designed to complement the main dish.

Heres a look at some of the options:

• Members Mark All Butter Cocktail Croissants, 20-count: $5.46

• Members Mark Macaroni and Cheese: $8.10 ($3.24/lb.)

• Members Mark Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, 32 oz., two-count: $7.98

• Members Mark Australian Boneless Leg of Lamb: $37.32 ($6.48/lb.)

• Members Mark Boneless Spiral-Sliced Fully-Cooked Double-Glazed Uncured Ham: $22.57 ($2.97/lb.)

• Members Mark 10 Coconut Dessert Cake: $17.97

• Members Mark Cherry Pistachio Crunch Salad: $12.89 ($7.16/lb.)

• Asparagus: $6.52 ($3.52/lb.)

• Members Mark Seasoned Green Beans with Almonds: $7.67 ($4.26/lb.)

Many of the items come pre-cooked or require minimal heating, which means less hands-on time and fewer dishes to juggle. The retailer also highlights flexible options, including brunch-style foods and grazing boards, so you can mix and match depending on your plans.

Another big perk: the meals are built to serve groups. Like most warehouse offerings, portions are generous, making it easier to feed a crowd without constantly refilling the table.

What shoppers should know before buying

While the convenience factor is a major win, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, if you dont have a membership to shop at Sams Club, you could get hit with an extra fee. Timing also matters, as stores are closed on Easter Sunday, so everything needs to be picked up ahead of time.

Its also worth thinking about customization. While these meal components cover the basics, you may still want to add a personal touch, whether thats a homemade side dish or a family-favorite dessert.