# Amanda Mull

> Amanda Mull is a senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek and one of the sharpest observers of American consumer culture. Writing the 'Buying Power' column, she dissects how everyday purchases shape identity, politics, and society - bringing a decade of retail experience and almost six years at The Atlantic to one of journalism's most under-examined beats.

- **Role:** Senior Reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek
- **Organizations:** Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic (former), PurseBlog (former)
- **From:** Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Journalism, University of Georgia
- **Known for:** Staff Writer at The Atlantic for nearly six years (2018-2024), covering consumer culture and health, Wrote approximately 5,000 posts as Managing Editor of PurseBlog over a decade, Authored viral Atlantic pieces including the S'well water bottle status symbol article (2019)

## Career timeline

- **pre-2008** — Worked retail at Gap and Best Buy (Appliance Specialist); formative experience in consumer behavior
- **2008** — Joined PurseBlog.com as Managing Editor; wrote approximately 5,000 posts over a decade on luxury handbags and accessories
- **2018** — Joined The Atlantic as Staff Writer covering consumer culture, wellness, beauty, fashion, and health at the intersection of culture
- **2019** — Broke through with viral piece 'How Fancy Water Bottles Became a 21st-Century Status Symbol'; appeared at Aspen Ideas Festival
- **2020** — Extensive pandemic coverage including 'Americans Got Tired of Looking Bad on Zoom' and 'How to Advertise in a Pandemic'
- **2021** — 'The Year America's Hair Fell Out' covered on NPR All Things Considered; drew from personal experience with pandemic hair loss
- **2024** — Left The Atlantic in April after nearly six years; joined Bloomberg Businessweek as Senior Reporter in May to write 'Buying Power' column on consumer culture

## Achievements

- Staff Writer at The Atlantic for nearly six years (2018-2024), covering consumer culture and health
- Wrote approximately 5,000 posts as Managing Editor of PurseBlog over a decade
- Authored viral Atlantic pieces including the S'well water bottle status symbol article (2019)
- Spent $1,279 of The Atlantic's money on a month-long Goop/wellness experiment
- Featured on NPR All Things Considered for hair loss pandemic reporting (2021)
- Appeared at Aspen Ideas Festival 2019
- Named 'one of the most prescient observers of consumer culture' by Bloomberg Businessweek editors
- Serves on the board of University of Georgia's New York City alumni chapter
- Launched 'Buying Power' newsletter at Bloomberg Businessweek (2024)

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Published piece on QVC bankruptcy signaling dominance of Amazon Prime and TikTok Shop in the home shopping space
- **2026-04** — Covered how trade war tariff disruptions have become 'baked in' for US shoppers
- **2026-03** — Published 'Monitoring the Situation Is How the Internet Handles Crisis' for Bloomberg
- **2025-01** — Wrote 'TikTok Ban Will Hurt Brands, Creators and Trends' for Bloomberg Businessweek
- **2024-12** — Published 'Bogg Bags, Graza Olive Oil Are Totems of Today's Consumer Culture' for Bloomberg Businessweek
- **2024-05** — Joined Bloomberg Businessweek as Senior Reporter, launching the 'Buying Power' column on consumer culture

## Links

- Website: https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AW1_jD-e1dM/amanda-mull
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamull
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/amandamull
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamull/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/amanda-mull
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-23