After two years of rising costs, Americans are becoming more cautious with their spending, prompting retailers to offer more discounts. In response, Target are reducing prices on groceries, and fast food establishments are introducing lower cost meals. Discount stores like Dollar General are attracting budget-conscious customers. CEO Todd Vasos noted that Dollar General shoppers are making tradeoffs, buying fewer items despite the store attracting more middle- and upper-income customers.

This financial strain is reflected in broader data as well. The Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book” reports consumers resisting further price hikes. Target recently reduced prices on 1,500 items with plans for more cuts. This cautious spending contrasts with last year’s robust expenditure, which kept the economy growing. Revised figures show the economy grew at an annual rate of 1.3% in the first quarter, down from the initially reported 1.6%, due to reduced consumer spending.

The slowdown continued in April, with consumer spending on goods falling 0.2%, according to the Commerce Department. However, spending on services like haircuts and event tickets increased, contributing to persistent inflation. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in April from a year ago, still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

Charged Lemonade, Panera Bread’s highly caffeinated beverage, is being phased out nationwide. Three current lawsuits link the drink to several health issues and two deaths. Fans of the drink are stocking up and finding ways to make their own charged lemonade at home. A spokesperson for Panera did not specify when all locations would stop selling the drink but denied any wrongdoing in response to the lawsuits.

Loyalty programs like Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club are effective in building a customer base by offering perceived value. Liz Parker from Michigan consumes Charged Lemonade daily and has stored several cups in her fridge and freezer. Similarly, Bruce Tarburton, a student at the University of Oregon, relied on the drink for its caffeine boost.

Despite the lawsuits, many loyal customers do not believe the drink poses a risk to their health. The lawsuits describe Charged Lemonade as a “dangerous energy drink,” with a large serving containing 390 milligrams of caffeine. The FDA states that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is generally safe for healthy adults. In response to the lawsuits, Panera moved the drink behind the counter and updated its caffeine information.

Panera plans to introduce new beverages, including Blueberry Lavender Lemonade and Pomegranate Hibiscus Tea, following feedback from over 30,000 guests. However, it remains unclear whether these new drinks will contain caffeine. Some customers have reduced their consumption of Charged Lemonade due to the legal issues, while others continue to seek out their favorite drink before it’s gone for good.