Companies shift business focus to wealthy customers as lower-income consumer spending stalls

From airlines, retail giants, and restaurants, industries are increasingly tailoring their offerings to appeal to higher‑earning customers as they continue to take up a growing share of their customer base.

Fast food companies are offering premium menu items to draw in such consumers who are far less likely to cut back when prices rise, all while major U.S. airlines are in 'arms race' to unveil upgraded luxury suites. While they were once geared primarily toward business travelers, business class has now become a profit center, helping airlines offset declines in demand for economy seats.

Retailers are also capitalizing on the growing number of higher earners walking through their doors. Notably, Walmart has highlighted in back-to-back earnings calls that it continued to gain market sh