After a summer of splurging, Americans start to pull back on spending
1 year, 1 month ago

After a summer of splurging, Americans start to pull back on spending

LA Times  

A customer browses the holiday lights at a store in Charlotte, N.C. Economists forecast a slowdown in consumer spending in the final three months of the year, as credit card debt and deliquencies rise, and average savings fall. Consumer spending jumped in the July-September quarter, but economists forecast it will slow in the final three months of the year, as credit card debt and delinquencies rise, and average savings fall. Most retail categories reported a drop in sales, including gas stations and auto dealers, which partly reflected price declines last month in both categories. On Tuesday, Home Depot, the nation’s largest home improvement chain, reported that sales continue to slide as customers cut back on spending for big-ticket items like appliances, and spent less on big renovation projects. The government’s monthly retail sales report offers only a partial look at consumer spending; it doesn’t include many services, including healthcare, travel and hotel lodging.

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History of this topic

American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says
22 hours, 54 minutes ago

American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says

Associated Press  

American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months, spending more in the run-up to the all-important holiday shopping season. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ …

U.S. consumer spending rises in November; monthly inflation subsides
2 days, 21 hours ago

U.S. consumer spending rises in November; monthly inflation subsides

The Hindu  

U.S. consumer spending increased in November, underscoring the economy's enduring strength, which prompted the Federal Reserve this week to project fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than it had three months ago. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, rose 0.4% last month after a downwardly revised 0.3% gain in October, the Commerce Department's Bureau …

US consumers to bargain hunt in annual 'Black Friday' spree
1 month ago

US consumers to bargain hunt in annual 'Black Friday' spree

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW YORK: US shoppers are coming out in force this holiday season, but the festiveness is being tempered by inflationary pressures that have abated but not completely faded. Americans are "ready to open their wallets this holiday season," said the Conference Board ahead of Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving, which this year, falls on November 28 -- that …

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
1 month, 1 week ago

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth. Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8% gain. “People may not love how much it costs to go …

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
1 month, 1 week ago

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

LA Times  

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth. Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8% gain. Sales in some categories fell — furniture stores, clothing outlets and drug …

U.S. retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience
3 months, 1 week ago

U.S. retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience

LA Times  

Americans spent a bit more at retailers last month, providing a small boost to the economy just as the Federal Reserve considers how much to cut its key interest rate. Retail sales ticked up 0.1% from July to August, after jumping the most in a year and a half the previous month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Average paychecks, particularly …

U.S. shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices
4 months, 1 week ago

U.S. shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices

LA Times  

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month by the most in a year and a half, easing concerns that the economy might be weakening under the pressure of higher prices and elevated interest rates. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that retail sales jumped 1% from June to July, the biggest such increase since January 2023, after having declined …

This Week: Consumer price index, retail sales, housing starts
4 months, 1 week ago

This Week: Consumer price index, retail sales, housing starts

Associated Press  

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week. Economists predict the consumer price index rose 3% in July from as year earlier, matching June’s pace. Consumer price index, annual percent change, not seasonally adjusted: Feb. 3.2 March 3.5 April 3.4 May 3.3 June 3.0 July 3.0 Source: FactSet SIZING UP RETAIL SALES The …

Ongoing sales have boosted spending during a cost-of-living crisis. Will shoppers pay the price with an interest rate rise?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Ongoing sales have boosted spending during a cost-of-living crisis. Will shoppers pay the price with an interest rate rise?

ABC  

Australia's struggling retail sector has been given a glimmer of hope, with rolling sales encouraging shoppers to spend — but economists warn that it may come with the price of another interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank. The recent jump in retail spending, boosted by clothing and footwear retailers offering big discounts and earlier-than-usual sales seasons, has increased expectations …

Retail sales rise a meager 0.1% in May from April as still high inflation curbs spending
6 months ago

Retail sales rise a meager 0.1% in May from April as still high inflation curbs spending

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Consumers barely increased spending in May from April as still high prices on groceries and other necessities and high interest rates curbed spending. Earlier this month, the government reported that America’s employers added a robust 272,000 jobs in May, accelerating from April and an indicator that companies are still bullish enough in the economy to keep hiring …

This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger’s first-quarter results
6 months, 1 week ago

This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger’s first-quarter results

Associated Press  

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week: RETAIL RECEIPTS The Commerce Department on Tuesday reports retail sales data for May. Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted: Dec.: 0.4 Jan.: -1.1 Feb.: 0.7 March: 0.7 April: 0.0 May : 0.3 Source: FactSet KROGER RESULTS Grocery chain Kroger reports its first-quarter sales and …

Discounting is back in fashion, as Americans get tired of paying more
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Discounting is back in fashion, as Americans get tired of paying more

NPR  

Discounting is back in fashion, as Americans get tired of paying more toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images After two years of paying more for things, Americans are growing more cautious about how they spend their money and are forcing retailers to offer more discounts. “It’s a cautious consumer,” said CEO Todd Vasos, describing Dollar General's typical shopper. That newfound caution …

US economic growth last quarter revised down from 1.6% to 1.3%, inflation cools
6 months, 3 weeks ago

US economic growth last quarter revised down from 1.6% to 1.3%, inflation cools

Hindustan Times  

The U.S. economy grew more slowly in the first quarter than previously estimated after downward revisions to consumer and equipment spending and a key measure of inflation ticked down, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to possibly begin cutting interest rates before the end of the year. Details of the report showed that consumer spending growth, revised down by 0.5 …

Retail sales were unchanged in April from March as inflation and interest rates curb spending
7 months, 1 week ago

Retail sales were unchanged in April from March as inflation and interest rates curb spending

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans unexpectedly paused their spending in April from March as inflation continued to sting and elevated interest rates made taking on debt more burdensome. Retail sales were unchanged, coming in well below economists’ expectations, and follow a revised 0.6% pace in March, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday. The retail sales figure came out on the …

Retail sales surge 0.7% in March as Americans seem unfazed by higher prices with jobs plentiful
8 months, 1 week ago

Retail sales surge 0.7% in March as Americans seem unfazed by higher prices with jobs plentiful

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans boosted spending at a hotter-than-expected pace in March, underscoring how shoppers remain resilient despite inflationary pressures and other economic challenges. Retail sales rose 0.7% last month — almost double what economists had forecast — after rising 0.9% in February, according to Commerce Department data released Monday. This is one of the strongest retail sales reports we’ve …

February retail sales up 0.6%, yet fissures emerge in what has been a driving force for US economy
9 months, 1 week ago

February retail sales up 0.6%, yet fissures emerge in what has been a driving force for US economy

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans picked up their spending a bit in February after pulling back the previous month. Retail sales rose 0.6% last month after falling a revised 1.1% in January, dragged down in part by inclement weather, according to the Commerce Department’s report on Thursday. February’s number was also lifted in part by higher gas prices as well as …

US economy grew solid 3.2% in fourth quarter, a slight downgrade from government’s initial estimate
9 months, 3 weeks ago

US economy grew solid 3.2% in fourth quarter, a slight downgrade from government’s initial estimate

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a robust 3.2% annual pace from October through December, propelled by healthy consumer spending, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday in a slight downgrade from its initial estimate. U.S. growth has now topped 2% for six straight quarters, defying fears that high interest rates would tip the world’s largest economy into a recession. The …

America’s economy slowed—it probably won’t stumble
10 months, 1 week ago

America’s economy slowed—it probably won’t stumble

Live Mint  

The U.S. economy took a breather in January following brisk growth at the end of last year, but it remains fundamentally healthy. Technical issues with how the retail sales data was seasonally adjusted might have weighed on the reading, and cold weather in January likely had an impact on both retail sales and industrial production. Within the retail sales report, …

Retail sales up strongly in December as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
11 months, 1 week ago

Retail sales up strongly in December as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers in December, closing out the holiday shopping season and the year on an upbeat tone and signaling that people remain confident enough to keep spending freely. Higher energy and housing prices boosted overall U.S. inflation in December, a sign that the Federal Reserve’s drive to slow inflation to its 2% …

Americans ramped up spending during the holidays despite some financial anxiety and higher costs
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Americans ramped up spending during the holidays despite some financial anxiety and higher costs

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Holiday sales rose this year and spending remained resilient during the shopping season even with Americans wrestling with higher prices in some areas and other financial worries, according to the latest measure. This year’s sales are more in line with what is typical during the holiday season, however, after a surge in spending last year during the …

Retail sales rise 0.3% in November as Americans hit gas, not brakes on shopping, travel, restaurants
1 year ago

Retail sales rise 0.3% in November as Americans hit gas, not brakes on shopping, travel, restaurants

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans picked up their spending from October to November unexpectedly as the unofficial holiday season kicked off, underscoring the power of shoppers despite elevated prices. “While consumers continue to face hurdles from higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions and elevated prices, a still-strong labor market, a positive trend in incomes and an easing in price pressures should …

Retail sales rise 0.3% in November as Americans hit gas rather than brakes on spending
1 year ago

Retail sales rise 0.3% in November as Americans hit gas rather than brakes on spending

LA Times  

Despite elevated prices, consumers kicked off the holiday shopping season by keeping up their spending momentum, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Americans unexpectedly picked up their spending from October to November as the unofficial holiday season kicked off, underscoring the power of shoppers despite elevated prices. Yet the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, still …

Black Friday deals this year did not get American customers to shop much
1 year ago

Black Friday deals this year did not get American customers to shop much

Live Mint  

It’s not just you. Walmart chief financial officer John David Rainey told investors in an earnings call earlier this month that the company saw a “sharper falloff" in consumer spending toward the end of October. That caution echoed throughout recent earnings reports from retailers ranging from Lowe’s Inc. to Target Corp. Consumers continued to spend this weekend, but they weren’t …

Behind Black Friday’s crowds lie stories of consumers squeezed by inflation
1 year, 1 month ago

Behind Black Friday’s crowds lie stories of consumers squeezed by inflation

LA Times  

Months of punishing inflation have pushed East Hollywood resident Diane Roque to economize by canceling her family’s cable subscription and prioritizing cooking at home. “Now it’s very online-focused, and we’re really looking to see the online velocity surge on the major days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights. “They’re stretching out …

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges
1 year, 1 month ago

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans cut back on retail spending in October, ending six straight months of gains, though the decline was partly driven by falling prices for both gasoline and cars. Retail sales fell 0.1% last month after jumping a strong 0.9% in September, according to a report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. Most retail categories reported a drop …

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges
1 year, 1 month ago

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Americans cut back on retail …

Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices
1 year, 2 months ago

Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans showed their steadfast resilience and kept spending online, at restaurants and other outlets in September even as they grappled with higher prices, rising interest rates and a host of other headwinds piling up. Tuesday’s sales figures aren’t adjusted for inflation, but the cost of goods barely rose last month, so the increased spending isn’t a reflection …

Retail sales up a solid 0.7% in September as American consumers defy rising prices, interest rates
1 year, 2 months ago

Retail sales up a solid 0.7% in September as American consumers defy rising prices, interest rates

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Despite higher prices, American shoppers keep spending
1 year, 2 months ago

Despite higher prices, American shoppers keep spending

LA Times  

A man looks at the Apple’s new iPhone 15 models last month in Los Angeles. A closely watched category of retail sales that excludes auto dealers, gas stations and building materials and feeds into the gross domestic product jumped 0.6% last month compared to the prior month. “Fed officials have another rate hike this year up on their forecast board, …

Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices
1 year, 3 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans stepped up retail spending modestly from July to August as the price of gasoline jumped, cutting into budgets as many families send their kids off to school. Retail sales rose 0.6% in August, compared with a revised 0.5% increase in July, according to a report issued by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The big rise in …

Consumers keep spending freely, powering a resilient economy
1 year, 4 months ago

Consumers keep spending freely, powering a resilient economy

LA Times  

Items are displayed in a boutique along Tennyson Street in Denver. Americans increased their purchases at retailers last month — for clothing, dining out, online goods and other items — in a sign that solid consumer spending is still powering a resilient U.S. economy. Analysts noted that spending on Amazon Prime Day, the online juggernaut’s big two-day sales event that …

Americans bump up spending in June as inflation eases in a strong jobs market
1 year, 5 months ago

Americans bump up spending in June as inflation eases in a strong jobs market

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans increased their spending last month as inflation eased in many areas, and the job market remained remarkably strong. That gave companies “abnormal power to push up prices’’ and pass higher costs along to consumers – clout they hadn’t had for decades, Simon MacAdam, senior global economist at Capital Economics, wrote last month. Conagra Brands, which makes …

Retail sales rose 0.3% in May despite pressure from higher inflation and interest rates
1 year, 6 months ago

Retail sales rose 0.3% in May despite pressure from higher inflation and interest rates

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans increased their spending at retailers last month despite pressure from still-high inflation and rising borrowing costs. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that retail sales rose 0.3% from April to May, boosted by stronger sales of auto and parts dealers. The latest retail sales data follow a government report this week that consumer inflation eased …

Retail sales up 0.4% in April, buoyed by solid job market and declining prices in some areas
1 year, 7 months ago

Retail sales up 0.4% in April, buoyed by solid job market and declining prices in some areas

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans picked up their spending modestly in April, spending money online and dining out, buoyed by a solid job market and a retreat in prices for some things. That is the first retail sales increase since January, when unusually warm weather and a big jump in Social Security benefits juiced spending. Retail sales data from the U.S. …

US retail sales fall 1% amid high inflation, rising rates
1 year, 8 months ago

US retail sales fall 1% amid high inflation, rising rates

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans cut their spending at retail stores in March for the second straight month, a sign consumers are becoming more cautious after a burst of spending in January. Gas-station sales plunged 5.5% in March, though the data isn’t adjusted for price changes, and gas prices fell last month. Growth likely reached about 2% at an annual rate in …

Retail sales dip 0.4% in February after buying burst in Jan.
1 year, 9 months ago

Retail sales dip 0.4% in February after buying burst in Jan.

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — America’s consumers trimmed their spending in February after a buying burst in January, underscoring the volatility of the economic environment. Still, it remains to be seen whether news coverage of bank failures and stock market gyrations will hurt consumer sentiment this month, writes Capital Economics’ Deputy Chief U.S Economist Andrew Hunter in a report issued Wednesday. The …

The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled
1 year, 9 months ago

The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled

NPR  

The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images An unexpected spending spree by U.S. shoppers seems to have calmed. Sponsor Message Inflation has been moderating since peaking last summer, but consumer prices in February were still 6% higher than a year ago, data showed …

US consumer spending surges in January, inflation heats up
1 year, 10 months ago

US consumer spending surges in January, inflation heats up

Al Jazeera  

US consumer spending increased by the most in nearly two years in January amid a surge in wage gains. US consumer spending increased by the most in nearly two years in January amid a surge in wage gains, while inflation accelerated, adding to financial market fears that the Federal Reserve could continue raising interest rates through summer. “This report means …

Retail sales jump as Americans defy inflation and rate hikes
1 year, 10 months ago

Retail sales jump as Americans defy inflation and rate hikes

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — America’s consumers rebounded last month from a weak holiday shopping season by boosting their spending at stores and restaurants at the fastest pace in nearly two years, underscoring the economy’s resilience in the face of higher prices and multiple interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Wednesday’s robust retail sales figures, along with a strong January job report, …

US retail sales post biggest jump in nearly two years
1 year, 10 months ago

US retail sales post biggest jump in nearly two years

Al Jazeera  

Signs of strength in consumer spending could potentially elicit ‘more aggressive action’ from the US Fed. United States retail sales increased by the most in nearly two years in January after two straight monthly declines as Americans boosted purchases of motor vehicles and other goods, pointing to the economy’s continued resilience despite higher borrowing costs. The US Department of Commerce …

Australian retailers had a worse-than-expected Christmas as cost of living pressures bite
1 year, 10 months ago

Australian retailers had a worse-than-expected Christmas as cost of living pressures bite

ABC  

There are clearer signs that consumers are feeling the pain of high inflation and successive interest rate hikes as Australian retailers have posted their first drop in sales in almost a year. Key points: Retail turnover in fell 3.9 per cent in December Turnover rose 7.5 per cent, compared to December 2021 Markets have priced in an 84 per cent …

US inflation and consumer spending cooled in December
1 year, 10 months ago

US inflation and consumer spending cooled in December

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge eased further in December, and consumer spending fell — the latest evidence that the Fed’s series of interest rate hikes are slowing the economy. Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that prices rose 5% last month from a year earlier, down from a 5.5% year-over-year increase in November. Last year’s holiday …

US inflation and consumer spending cooled in December
1 year, 10 months ago

US inflation and consumer spending cooled in December

Al Jazeera  

The pullback in consumer spending will likely be welcomed by Fed officials, who are seeking to cool the economy. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge eased further in December, and consumer spending fell – the latest evidence that the Fed’s series of interest rate rises are slowing the economy. Friday’s report from the US Department of Commerce showed that prices …

December retail sales fall 1.1% as inflation takes a toll
1 year, 11 months ago

December retail sales fall 1.1% as inflation takes a toll

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans cut back on spending in December, the second consecutive month they’ve done so, underscoring how inflation and the rising cost of using credit cards slowed consumer activity over the crucial holiday shopping season. Retail sales fell a worse-than-expected 1.1% in December, following a revised 1% drop in November, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. In October, retail …

US consumer spending, inflation cool in November
2 years ago

US consumer spending, inflation cool in November

Al Jazeera  

While economic activity is slowing amid rising interest rates, it’s not enough to discourage US Fed from more rises. Slowing economic activity amid rising borrowing costs was also flagged by other data from the Department of Commerce on Friday showing a modest gain in orders for locally manufactured capital goods last month. The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1 …

Retail sales drop at start of key holiday shopping season
2 years ago

Retail sales drop at start of key holiday shopping season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans cut back sharply on retail spending last month as the holiday shopping season began with high prices and rising interest rates forcing families, particularly lower income households, to make harder decisions about what they buy. suggests that higher borrowing costs, slower employment growth and an unusually low saving rate are now catching up with consumers,” said Andrew …

US retail sales rise as consumers step up spending
2 years, 1 month ago

US retail sales rise as consumers step up spending

Al Jazeera  

Steady job growth, rising wages, and higher savings as people cut back on travel and entertainment during the pandemic have enabled surprisingly steady spending by consumers. Steady job growth, rising wages, and higher savings after many people cut back on travel and entertainment during the pandemic have enabled surprisingly steady spending by consumers, particularly those with higher incomes. Car sales …

Retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession
2 years, 5 months ago

Retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Consumers picked up their spending from May to June, underscoring their resilience despite painfully higher prices at the gas pump and in grocery aisles and allaying fears that the economy might be on the verge of a recession. U.S. retail sales rose 1% in June, from a revised decline of 0.1 % in May, the Commerce Department …

Retail sales rise 0.9% in April as consumers show resilience
2 years, 7 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.9% in April as consumers show resilience

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose 0.9% in April, a solid increase that underscores Americans’ ability to keep ramping up spending even as inflation persists at nearly a 40-year high. “Despite the surge in prices weighing on their purchasing power, the U.S. consumer now appears to be single-handedly keeping the global economy afloat.” The Tuesday report also showed that sales …

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