A WSU study has revealed a surprising factor that influences consumer preferences: the presence of specific reference numbers in product packaging labels and opens new avenues for understanding how numerical cognition influences consumer decisions.

Last year, the business community combatted inflation, supply chain, and labor issues, while employees prioritized higher salaries and better work-life balance. Despite these challenges, our 2023 Business in the Northwest Report found that business leaders and employees are cautiously optimistic about the next three years, though less so compared to pre-COVID levels.

The Business in the Northwest report surveys industry leaders and employees about the region’s business climate. While corporate revenue and profitability appear to be rebounding from the impacts of COVID, business leaders are struggling with labor shortages and reduced production.

The Carson College of Business’ fourth annual Business in the Northwest Report—based on a survey of 1,050 Pacific Northwest business leaders and employees—looks at how the region’s business climate has been altered by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The survey finds that despite closures, uncertainty, and a year of heightened anxiety, business leaders and employees remain cautiously optimistic about what the future holds.