Taking a vacation, catching the latest exhibition at a museum or relaxing over dinner at a restaurant are valuable ways for people to unwind, especially following the lockdowns and caution over socializing that accompanied the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a time when inflation is rising, though, activities such as leisure travel, entertainment and out-of-home dining may come under a different type of pressure for many consumers. Why? Because hikes in the price of gas, groceries and other daily essentials often mean shoppers have to cut back on discretionary, and non-essential, spending.
The situation is undoubtedly nuanced: the cost...