What can lipstick and underwear sales tell us about the economy?

‘When lipstick sales increase as luxury beauty item accessories decrease, that’s another potential sign of economic headwinds.’ Photograph: Jonathan Knowles/Getty Images

Is the country heading towards a recession? Ask 10 economists and you’ll likely get 10 different answers. Which is why some people have given up on the traditional data – GDP, jobs, etc – and have instead recently been tinkering with more unusual economic indicators to help them guide their companies. Here are a few that I’ve seen.

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