Welcome to The Backroom, a window into what goes on behind the scenes as the Retail Dive team covers the stories and trends reshaping retail. You can check out all our podcast episodes (past and present) here and listen on Apple Podcasts,iHeartRadioand Spotify.

Retailers’ Q2 reports are still trickling in, but taking into account the impressive strength in Q1, the industry fared well in the first half of the year.

How did they accomplish that? That depends. Some brands and retailers have made a concerted effort to up their game – see Gap or Macy’s. Others, notably discounters, are benefiting from the steps many consumers are taking to save money in a time of high prices on fuel and groceries.

But can it last? On this episode of Retail Dive’s The Backroom podcast, reporters Dani James and Daphne Howland talk about which retailers are thriving — and the hidden reasons why things could change as the year wears on.

Retail Dive · How long can the consumer hang on?

Resource links:

• Retailers did well in Q1. Was it just a mirage?
• Wealthy consumers are heading to dollar stores
• Gap makes a fine mesh out of its ‘Happy Stripe’ remake
• Retail sales soar over 11% in June

Editor’s note: This episode was produced and edited by Caroline Jansen.