More bad news from last week’s jobs report: Wage growth slowed to 3.2%, the lowest yearly rate in five years. Combine that with high inflation, and consumers are losing purchasing power. In this episode, where did the wage growth go? Plus: Temp firms report increased demand, Bed, Bath & Beyond’s parent company wants to expand into services, and Pringles implements AI on the production line.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• U.S. consumers' real earnings have been falling
• Why Bed Bath & Beyond's parent company is pivoting to mortgages and flooring
• Should we ditch paper checks? You probably write more than you think
• She chose rural South Carolina over Italy and England
• One bright spot in an otherwise-meh labor market? Temp jobs
• A new kind of AI chip: Pringle-making gets optimized by artificial intelligence