Retail

Australian chain sets 3rd deadline to end free plastic bags

A major Australian supermarket chain has set a third deadline to end free plastic bags for shoppers, balancing customer anger at an additional shopping expense with environmentalists' demand for corporate action against plastic pollution.

Inflation, gas prices, tariffs squeeze consumers

A can of Coca-Cola, a package of Pampers and plane tickets will likely cost more in the coming months, as consumers feel the impact of rising fuel prices, higher raw-materials costs and a range of new tariffs.