The economic gap between the wealthy and everyone else is showing up in two very different markets: luxury homes are selling quickly while starter homes sit unsold, and Berlin's clubs are shifting toward door fees as bar takings fall.
Research shows that luxury homes are flying off the market, but sales of starter homes are declining even as more of them become available and prices are cut. The pattern points to a K-shaped recovery, where affluent buyers remain active while first-time buyers struggle.
A similar dynamic is playing out in Berlin's nightlife. Clubs are still drawing crowds, but shorter nights and fewer alcohol sales, along with rising costs, have changed their business model. Door fees, rather than bar takings, have become the main financial lifeline for many venues.
The two developments underline a broader divergence in consumer behavior, with higher-income households continuing to spend while others pull back.