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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Women more worried about economy under Trump than men, poll finds
Women across the political spectrum are more concerned about the state of the US economy and inflation under Donald Trump than men are, according to a new exclusive poll for the Guardian. More Democrats than Republicans are now concerned about the economy following the president's return to power. But pessimism was higher for women even among Republicans and independents, according to a new Harris poll. Overall, 62% of women and 47% of men said that the economy and inflation were getting worse, a gap of 15 percentage points. The gender gap crossed party lines with both Democratic and Republican women expressing greater concerns about the economy than men did. 'Here's what everyone missed: women aren't being pessimistic about the economy – they're being realistic,' said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer of Harris Poll. 'Women are experiencing the sharp edge of inflation on essentials like groceries and childcare in ways that stock portfolios can't capture.' The news will be worrying for the Trump administration. Women are more likely than men to be registered to vote and to show up at the polls. While Trump made gains among women in the 2024 election, women were still 10% more likely to vote for Kamala Harris. Recent analysis has shown that much of Trump's win can be attributed to gains made among men, particularly non-white men. Across a series of questions about their outlook on the state of the economy, most respondents (78%) – both men and women – expressed concerns about the amount of uncertainty, particularly around prices. Yet women appear to be bearing the brunt of Trump's economic policy, particularly around his tariffs. Previous research has shown that women are more likely to feel the impacts of inflation because of broader gender inequality, including gaps in pay and household responsibilities. While a majority of respondents said they were primarily responsible for their household's shopping, more women (71%) than men (62%) reported being their household's primary shopper. This difference in household shopping responsibility translates into broader gaps in concern over affordability and prices: More women said they were very worried about food prices (52% of women compared to 39% of men) More women said they were spending more time trying to find deals or go to more affordable stores (36% versus 26%) More women said their financial security was getting worse because of their difficulty in affording essential goods and services (55% versus 46%) The differences increased when respondents were asked about their comfort in affording their lifestyles in the current economy, including affording a family, a home, life as a single individual, and childcare. Just 27% of women said they felt comfortable affording a family now, compared with 43% of men. Although confidence in switching jobs was low among all respondents, 34% of men were confident in a job switch compared with 25% of women. Women are also more pessimistic about receiving a meaningful raise this year: 54% of women said they think they will get a raise, compared with 63% of men. Lack of confidence in the economy can affect people's behavior, particularly the big milestones they can make in their lives. They are more likely to delay buying homes, starting a family or switching jobs. 'We're witnessing a generation living in what we call 'anticipatory financial distress',' said Rodney. 'This isn't a casual concern; it's the mental equivalent of holding your breath underwater, waiting for the surface.' What makes up 'the economy' for one person can be completely different than what it means for another. For some, the economy can largely be defined by how the US stock market is doing; for many others, it's the price of their weekly grocery bill. Over the last few years, certain parts of the economy thrived, while others caused serious pain. The stock market reached record highs, and the wealth of the ultra-rich soared. At the same time, the labor market has remained relatively stable, with the unemployment rate staying at about 4%. Related: US prices continued to rise in May amid Trump tariffs But even as Americans were holding on to their jobs, prices soared, particularly in 2022, when the inflation rate hit a decades-high of 9.1%. In attempts to bring inflation down, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which ultimately made borrowing money, particularly for a mortgage, much more expensive than it had been during the pandemic. Previous Harris polls conducted before the 2024 US election had shown that pessimism under the Biden administration was high. Many Americans appeared to blame the White House for the high inflation, even though inflation eventually came down to under 3% in 2023 and 2024. So far in his second term, Trump has primarily used tariffs as his main tool to balance out the economy, arguing that tariffs will increase domestic manufacturing. So far, many companies have said they will instead pass the price increases on to consumers. Recent data has shown that inflation hasn't climbed yet, but economists warn that many companies stockpiled in anticipation of tariffs, and price increases could continue into the summer. This survey was conducted online within the US by The Harris Poll from 22 to 31 May 2025, among a nationally representative sample of 4,208 US adults.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Farm Bureau report: Iowa consumers worry about government-caused increases in food costs
Fresh vegetables at a farmers market. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa Farm Bureau's latest food and farm index found that among concerns of the high cost of groceries, the overwhelming majority of Iowa grocery shoppers surveyed are concerned about increases to food prices caused by government regulations. The annual survey, conducted by the Harris Poll, also found that more consumers are seeking locally grown and produced products. 'At a time when trust in national institutions—from government to media—is at historic lows, the sustained confidence in local farmers speaks volumes about their authenticity and transparency, underscoring the strong bond and mutual respect between Iowa's farmers and the communities they serve,' said Latoya Guishard Welch, vice president of research for public release at the Harris Poll. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the food and farm index, 80% of shoppers are concerned, and 47% are very concerned, about government regulations that increase consumer food prices. The percentage of folks very concerned has more than doubled since 2021, when just 21% were more than just concerned about the role of government in increased food costs. U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show direct imports, or finished products ready for sale, accounted for 15% of U.S. spending on food and beverages. Foreign ingredients and supplies comprised 4% of domestic food production. Forbes reported tariffs could have a significant impact on the cost of food and beverages at the grocery store, if imposed at their highest proposed levels. A recent study from Farmers for Free Trade, a non-profit advocacy group, found that tariff costs for Iowa importers increased by $68 million, or 304% from April 2024 to April 2025. According to the Iowa 'tarifflation' report, 90% of this increase came from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, as opposed to legislative tariffs. These tariffs primarily impacted imported unwrought aluminum, machinery parts, insecticides and fungicides, and engines. According to the study, imports from China had the highest tariffs, but imports from Mexico, Canada and South Korea faced dramatic increases in tariffs. Goods imported from Mexico to Iowa in April 2024 had tariffs of 0.2%, compared to a 4.4% tariff in April 2025. Reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China, which are currently on a 90-day reduction agreement, would put Iowa industries at a 'significant' risk. In particular, Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports would hurt Iowa pork and soybean producers especially hard. The Farmers for Free Trade study concluded the presidential tariffs, if they took effect and stayed in place, would 'have major consequences' on Iowa. 'Already, Iowa companies are paying tens of millions of dollars per day – money that could be better spent investing in companies and workers or lowering prices for their customers.' Recent consumer price index data from U.S. Department of Agriculture shows a 23.6% increase in grocery prices from 2020 to 2024, which likely explains why price continues to be the most important factor for Iowa grocery shoppers when making decisions on which types of food to buy. Three-fourths of Iowans said meat, poultry or dairy products are part of their daily diets, and a higher proportion of Iowans say they prefer 'real' meat and dairy over plant-based alternatives. More and more, consumers are choosing to purchase these items directly from the farm. Sixty-nine percent said they have purchased groceries directly from farmers, through their online websites, farm stores or at farmers markets, and 40% of Iowa consumers look for locally made or grown labels when buying at the store. This is an increase from 2024 survey results which found around 30% of consumers sought local labels. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said these statistics mean a lot to farmers. 'Iowans are definitely paying attention to food prices, but they're also looking for food that makes them feel connected to local farmers,' Johnson said. 'We take pride in growing safe, high-quality food for our neighbors and knowing they trust us to do that really hits home.' The survey results also show that more than 90% of shoppers said they trust farmers and 49% said they place a 'great deal of trust' in Iowa farmers in general. The survey also asked consumers if they felt confident farmers were caring for animals and the environment, which the vast majority, around 80% for each category, did. Johnson said flexibility in farming is 'crucial' for farmers to provide a variety of consumer options. Consumers agree, with 86% responding that farmers should have the flexibility to explore different farming techniques. 'Year after year, farmers and consumers have been feeling the pinch of high costs and that is only exacerbated when individual states enact restrictions on production practices that ultimately impact prices at the grocery store,' Johnson said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
For CEOs, AI Innovation Is Now A Near-Term Survival Requirement
AI requires a shift in mindset for the C-Suite. Companies that fail to adopt AI technologies risk falling behind their competitors, losing market relevance, and even jeopardizing their long-term survival. 'AI is no longer a long-term innovation initiative—it's a near-term survival requirement.' This is according to a recently published Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of AI company Dataiku, which says 74% of CEOs overall, and 79% in the U.S., said they could lose their jobs within two years if they don't deliver measurable AI-driven business gains. So, why is AI innovation a 'near-term survival requirement?' In a nutshell, AI requires a shift in mindset for the C-Suite. Companies that fail to adopt AI technologies risk falling behind their competitors, losing market relevance, and even jeopardizing their long-term survival—an ominous situation for any chief executive. So, rather than considering the risks of implementing AI projects, CEOs should weigh the costs of inaction. One of the most immediate and significant risks of not adopting AI is the potential loss of a competitive edge. Companies that are leveraging AI to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and innovate are gaining a distinct advantage over those that remain hesitant. For instance, AI-powered tools can optimize supply chains, automate routine tasks, and generate insights from big data, leading to faster decision-making, improved profitability, and the ability to innovate more quickly than competitors. Failing to adopt AI means that competitors who are embracing the technology will likely outpace your organization, attracting more customers, increasing market share, and outperforming you in critical areas such as product development, personalization, and operational efficiency. AI isn't just about improving existing processes; it's about enabling new ways of thinking and unlocking new opportunities. The technology has the potential to improve customer service, speed product development, and more. Companies that delay adopting AI risk missing out on innovative solutions that could fundamentally transform or accelerate their businesses. For example, AI can facilitate breakthroughs in product design by enabling rapid prototyping and simulations. It can also drive innovation in marketing by offering hyper-targeted campaigns powered by machine learning. CEOs who hesitate to implement AI may find their organizations stuck in traditional ways of thinking while competitors race ahead with cutting-edge innovations. AI inaction can lead to inefficiency and rising operational costs. AI has the potential to automate many time-consuming and repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable human resources for more strategic work. Tasks such as data entry, report generation, customer service inquiries, and supply chain management can be optimized using AI, reducing the time and costs associated with manual labor. Without AI, organizations may find themselves running inefficient processes, which could lead to higher operational costs and less effective resource allocation. Companies that resist AI may find their cost structures out of synch with the market, widening the competitive gap. Customers today have higher expectations than ever before. AI-powered tools can provide hyper-personalized experiences, faster response times, and enhanced customer support through chatbots and virtual assistants—not the binary phone trees of yesterday, but personalized, human-like agents that can accomplish tasks on your behalf. Businesses that fail to implement AI risk disappointing customers with outdated systems, slow service, and generic experiences that no longer meet modern standards. This is happening today. Companies that do not invest in AI may lose customer loyalty to competitors that offer more sophisticated, AI-driven experiences. Declines in customer satisfaction are a one-way street to reduced revenue and brand perception. Data is one of the most valuable assets businesses possess, yet many organizations fail to capitalize on this asset. AI excels at extracting valuable insights from vast amounts of data, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions that can improve performance and mitigate risks. Companies that don't implement AI solutions risk leaving vast amounts of data untapped, missing out on opportunities to enhance decision-making, predict trends, and gain deeper insights into customer behavior. Data-driven strategies powered by AI can inform everything from product development to customer engagement, and companies that do not embrace these tools risk making decisions based on outdated or incomplete information. As AI becomes more integrated into business operations, attracting and retaining top talent in fields like data science, machine learning, and AI engineering will become increasingly important. Organizations that fail to prioritize AI may struggle to attract highly skilled employees, as the best talent often seeks out companies that are on the cutting edge of technology. On top of that, your existing employees may become frustrated with the lack of advancement AI can unlock. Talented workers want to work for companies that embrace innovation. Companies that avoid AI may find themselves with an outdated workforce and an inability to attract the next generation of top-tier talent. AI is rapidly becoming a competitive advantage in regulatory-heavy industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail. Businesses that fail to implement AI solutions may be missing an opportunity to streamline or automate compliance, especially when it comes to data protection, fraud detection, and risk management. For example, AI can enhance cybersecurity, identify financial fraud, and detect irregularities in transactions or operations. Failing to adopt AI for compliance purposes can leave an organization vulnerable to breaches, non-compliance penalties, and reputational damage. Industries across the globe are experiencing rapid disruption due to AI-powered companies challenging traditional business models. From fintech startups leveraging AI for financial services to retail giants using machine learning for inventory management and customer insights, businesses that fail to adapt to this new environment risk being left behind as more innovative competitors take the field. By taking a more cautious AI stance, companies open themselves up to the risk of disruption from more nimble, tech-savvy competitors who are better able to respond to market changes and evolving customer expectations. Again, CEOs don't want to be on the wrong end of the innovation curve. Failing to adopt AI can damage an organization's reputation as a forward-thinking, innovative brand. Customers, employees, and investors expect companies to stay ahead of the competition by taking advantage of technological trends. Those that fail to do so may be seen as a tired, old brand from yesterday. Younger consumers and employees are more likely to evaluate brands based on their adoption of newer technologies and ability to innovate. Aversion to AI and newer tech could signal a company that is not keeping up. No brand wants to be seen as tired. The risks associated with inaction are considerable, and the risks of survival are real. Whether it's customer experience, data-driven insights, regulatory compliance, or brand perception, AI provides measurable performance characteristics, and CEOs with losing formulas may not be CEOs very long. But that also doesn't mean chiefs need to dive headfirst into the deep end. It's important to learn and adapt. Think about low-hanging fruit in your organization. Small projects that can be automated. How old is your call center solution, for example? Where are there opportunities to drive new revenue by understanding customer preferences and buying patterns? By choosing bite-sized projects that yield real improvements, CEOs will not only learn but also take essential steps to improve their business metrics.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Women more worried about economy under Trump than men, poll finds
Women across the political spectrum are more concerned about the state of the US economy and inflation under Donald Trump than men are, according to a new exclusive poll for the Guardian. More Democrats than Republicans are now concerned about the economy following the president's return to power. But pessimism was higher for women even among Republicans and independents, according to a new Harris poll. Overall, 62% of women and 47% of men said that the economy and inflation is getting worse, a gap of 15 percentage points. The gender gap crossed party lines with both Democratic and Republican women expressing greater concerns about the economy than men did. 'Here's what everyone missed: women aren't being pessimistic about the economy – they're being realistic,' said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer of Harris Poll. 'Women are experiencing the sharp edge of inflation on essentials like groceries and childcare in ways that stock portfolios can't capture.' The news will be worrying for the Trump administration. Women are more likely than men to be registered to vote and to show up at the polls. While Trump made gains among women in the 2024 election, women were still 10% more likely to vote for Kamala Harris. Recent analysis has shown that much of Trump's win can be attributed to gains made among men, particularly non-white men. Across a series of questions about their outlook on the state of the economy, most respondents (78%) – both men and women – expressed concerns about the amount of uncertainty, particularly around prices. Yet women appear to be bearing the brunt of Trump's economic policy, particularly around his tariffs. Previous research has shown that women are more likely to feel the impacts of inflation because of broader gender inequality, including gaps in pay and household responsibilities. While a majority of respondents said they were primarily responsible for their household's shopping, more women (71%) than men (62%) reported being their household's primary shopper. This difference in household shopping responsibility translates into broader gaps in concern over affordability and prices: More women said they are very worried about food prices (52% of women compared to 39% of men) More women said they're spending more time trying to find deals or go to more affordable stores (36% versus 26%) More women said their financial security is getting worse because of their difficulty in affording essential goods and services (55% versus 46%) The differences increased when respondents were asked about their comfort in affording their lifestyles in the current economy, including affording a family, a home, life as a single individual, and childcare. Just 27% of women said they felt comfortable affording a family now, compared to 43% of men. Although confidence in switching jobs was low among all respondents, 34% of men were confident in a job switch compared to 25% of women. Women are also more pessimistic about receiving a meaningful raise this year: 54% of women said they think they'll get a raise, compared to 63% of men. Lack of confidence in the economy can impact people's behavior, particularly the big milestones they can make in their lives. They are more likely to delay buying homes, starting a family or switching jobs. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion 'We're witnessing a generation living in what we call 'anticipatory financial distress',' said Rodney. 'This isn't a casual concern; it's the mental equivalent of holding your breath underwater, waiting for the surface.' What makes up 'the economy' for one person can be completely different than what it means for another. For some, the economy can largely be defined by how the US stock market is doing; for many others, it's the price of their weekly grocery bill. Over the last few years, certain parts of the economy thrived, while others caused serious pain. The stock market reached record highs, and the wealth of the ultrarich soared. At the same time, the labor market has remained relatively stable, with the unemployment rate staying at about 4%. But even as Americans were holding onto their jobs, prices skyrocketed, particularly in 2022, when the inflation rate hit a decades-high of 9.1%. In attempts to bring inflation down, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which ultimately made borrowing money, particularly for a mortgage, much more expensive than it had been during the pandemic. Previous Harris polls conducted before the 2024 US election had shown that pessimism under the Biden administration was high. Many Americans appeared to blame the White House for the high inflation, even though inflation eventually came down to under 3% in 2023 and 2024. So far in his second term, Trump has primarily used tariffs as his main tool to balance out the economy, arguing that tariffs will increase domestic manufacturing. So far, many companies have said they will instead pass the price increases onto consumers. Recent data has shown that inflation hasn't climbed yet, but economists warn that many companies stockpiled in anticipation of tariffs, and price increases could continue into the summer. This survey was conducted online within the US by The Harris Poll from 22 to 31 May 2025, among a nationally representative sample of 4,208 US adults.
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
The Smartphones Haven't Defeated Us. Yet.
Since the dawn of the television age, parents have struggled to limit or guide their children's screen time. But with the arrival of smartphones that can — and do — go everywhere and with social media apps that teenagers now use for an average of five hours every day, many parents feel a sense of resignation. The struggle has been lost. Parents who try to delay giving a smartphone until high school or social media until 16 know that they'll face the plaintive cry from their children: 'But I'm the only one!' To better understand the tensions over technology playing out in American families, we worked with the Harris Poll to conduct two surveys. As we reported last year, our survey of 1,006 members of Gen Z found that many young people feel trapped — tethered to digital products like TikTok and Snapchat. Nearly half of all participants expressed regret about having access to many of the most popular social media platforms. Here we present the second part of our investigation: a nationally representative survey of 1,013 parents who have children under 18. The overall picture isn't any better. We find widespread feelings of entrapment and regret. Many parents gave their children smartphones and social media access early in their lives — yet many wish that social media had never been invented, and overwhelmingly they support new social norms and policies that would protect kids from online harms. In our survey, 55 percent report that their children began to use a smartphone as a primary user by the age of 12, and 61 percent say the same for a tablet. Share of children with device, by age group 75% 67% 61% 65% Tablet 49% 55% 50 Smartphone 28% 25 26% 10% 5-year-olds and younger 6- to 9- year-olds 10- to 12- year-olds 13- to 17- year-olds Share of children, by age group 75% 67% 61% 65% 55% 49% 50 Tablet Smartphone 28% 25 26% 10% 5-year-olds and younger 6- to 9-year-olds 10- to 12-year-olds 13- to 17-year-olds Source: Harris Poll 'When I think about my child's experience growing up, I wish ___ had never been invented' 25 50% Mature online content 72% Guns 62 TikTok 62 X / Twitter 62 Snapchat 60 Alcohol 57 Instagram 56 Social media 55 Facebook 53 ChatGPT 45 Messaging apps 44 Smartphones 38 YouTube 34 Video games 33 Location sharing tools 26 Streaming services 20 Basic mobile phones 20 Large vehicles 19 Television 17 Newspapers 15 Radio 14 Bicycles 9 25 50% Mature online content 72% Guns 62 TikTok 62 X / Twitter 62 Snapchat 60 Alcohol 57 Instagram 56 Social media 55 Facebook 53 ChatGPT 45 Messaging apps 44 Smartphones 38 YouTube 34 Video games 33 Location sharing tools 26 Streaming services 20 Basic mobile phones 20 Large vehicles 19 Television 17 Newspapers 15% Radio 14% Bicycles 9% Source: Harris Poll Parents restricting their child's access to smartphones until they are around 14 years old Strongly support Somewhat support Strongly oppose Neither 33% 32 22 9 Somewhat oppose Parents restricting their child's access to social media until at least age 16 40 33 19 6 A law raising the minimum age for social media use to 16 from 13 39 31 20 8 Schools enforcing a bell-to-bell 'phone-free' policy 33 30 16 13 8 Parents restricting their child's access to smartphones until they are around 14 years old Strongly support Somewhat support Neither Strongly oppose 33% 32 22 9 Somewhat oppose Parents restricting their child's access to social media until at least age 16 40 33 19 6 A law raising the minimum age for social media use to 16 from 13 39 31 20 8 Schools enforcing a bell-to-bell 'phone-free' policy 33 30 16 13 8 Source: Harris Poll Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
