**Consumers, From Levi’s to Target, Brace for Impact of Student Loan Repayments**
**As the US government prepares to restart student loan payments in January, companies that cater to consumers are bracing for a potential hit to their bottom lines.**
**The resumption of payments, which have been on hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to affect a wide range of businesses, from retailers and restaurants to automakers and travel companies.**
**According to a recent study by the Brookings Institution, the average monthly student loan payment is $460. This means that millions of Americans will have less disposable income to spend on other goods and services.**
**Companies that are particularly vulnerable to the impact of student loan repayments include those that target young adults, such as Levi’s, Target, and Chipotle.**
**These companies have already been struggling to attract customers amid the rising cost of living and a shift in consumer spending habits.**
**The resumption of student loan payments is likely to further squeeze their margins.**
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