US retail sales plunged a record 16% in April as virus hit
4 years, 7 months ago

US retail sales plunged a record 16% in April as virus hit

Associated Press  

BALTIMORE — U.S. retail sales tumbled by a record 16.4% from March to April as business shutdowns caused by the coronavirus kept shoppers away, threatened the viability of stores across the country and further weighed down a sinking economy. “It’s like a hurricane came and leveled the entire economy, and now we’re trying to get it back up and running,” said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist for the consultancy Maria Fiorini Ramirez. But he said overall sales would remain depressed “because there is going to be a big chunk of the lost jobs that don’t come back.” The sharpest declines from March to April were at clothing, electronics and furniture stores. Retail sales account for roughly half of all consumer spending, which fuels about 70% of total economic activity.

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History of this topic

Wall Street: US stocks slip after strong retail sales data, Nvidia dips 3.5%, Pfizer jumps 4% — Why markets are falling
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Wall Street: US stocks slip after strong retail sales data, Nvidia dips 3.5%, Pfizer jumps 4% — Why markets are falling

Live Mint  

US stocks slipped on Tuesday, as investors become cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision following strong retail sales data. At 9:41 am ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 231.55 points, or 0.53 per cent, to 43,487.22, the S&P 500 lost 28.68 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 6,045.40 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 97.40 points, or …

Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of U.S. economy’s health
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of U.S. economy’s health

LA Times  

Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season. Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October’s 0.5% gain. Analysts envisioned a solid holiday shopping season, though perhaps not as robust as last …

China retail sales slow as consumers hold back, while home prices fall
3 weeks, 3 days ago

China retail sales slow as consumers hold back, while home prices fall

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Chinese retail sales slowed in November and housing prices fell, the government said Monday, with demand still lackluster despite a flurry of stimulus measures over the past few months. “However, we must Retail sales rose 3% from a year earlier, down from October’s 4.8% increase and below the 3.5% annual rate in January-November. “China’s economy appears to have …

Retailers point to solid U.S. sales over holiday weekend
1 month ago

Retailers point to solid U.S. sales over holiday weekend

Raw Story  

U.S. consumers turned out in force in stores and online over the Thanksgiving weekend, a key stretch in the holiday shopping season, a leading retailer group said Tuesday. A total of 197 million shoppers, about 59 percent of the U.S. population, made purchases during a five-day stretch that includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday, according to figures from the National …

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
1 month, 3 weeks 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, 3 weeks 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, 3 weeks 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 …

This Week: Consumer price index, retail sales, housing starts
4 months, 3 weeks 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 …

This Week: Existing home sales, retail data for May and Kroger’s first-quarter results
6 months, 3 weeks 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 …

Retail sales were unchanged in April from March as inflation and interest rates curb spending
7 months, 3 weeks 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 …

How online shopping is saving the bricks-and-mortar store
8 months ago

How online shopping is saving the bricks-and-mortar store

Live Mint  

Store owners once viewed e-commerce as a mounting threat to their survival. Kohl’s now fulfills more than a third of its online orders in stores, Walmart more than half, and Target nearly all its sales from its network of roughly 2,000 locations, according to the companies. The pandemic sped up the integration of online and in-store shopping, as mandated closures …

Retail sales surge 0.7% in March as Americans seem unfazed by higher prices with jobs plentiful
8 months, 3 weeks 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, 3 weeks 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 …

America’s economy slowed—it probably won’t stumble
10 months, 3 weeks 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, 3 weeks 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% …

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 …

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 …

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 …

‘Retail recession’ warning as sales plummet
1 year, 2 months ago

‘Retail recession’ warning as sales plummet

The Telegraph  

High streets are in the grip of a “retail recession”, economists have warned, after shop sales slumped unexpectedly rapidly in September. Retail sales volumes fell by 0.9pc in the month to September, according to the Office for National Statistics. Alex Kerr, assistant economist at Capital Economics, said: “This suggests that after the 18-month-long retail recession came to an end in …

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 …

Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely
1 year, 4 months ago

Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans increased their purchases at retailers last month – for clothing, dining out, online goods and other areas – 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 took place earlier last month, also helped boost …

Retail sales rise 0.7% in July from June as inflation continues to ease
1 year, 4 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.7% in July from June as inflation continues to ease

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 increased their spending last …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Retail group: Holiday sales up slower-than-expected 5.3%
1 year, 11 months ago

Retail group: Holiday sales up slower-than-expected 5.3%

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Sales for the holiday 2022 season slowed more than expected from its blistering pace a year ago as higher borrowing costs and higher inflation made shoppers pull back, according to the nation’s largest retail trade group. The National Retail Federation said Wednesday that holiday sales for the combined November and December period rose 5.3% to $936.3 billion. …

Holiday sales up 7.6% despite the squeeze of inflation
2 years ago

Holiday sales up 7.6% despite the squeeze of inflation

LA Times  

Holiday sales rose this year as American spending remained resilient during the critical shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent, according to one measure. Holiday sales rose 7.6%, a slower pace than the 8.5% increase from a year earlier when shoppers began spending the money they had saved during the early part of the pandemic, according …

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 …

US retail sales were flat in July as inflation takes a toll
2 years, 4 months ago

US retail sales were flat in July as inflation takes a toll

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The pace of sales at U.S. retailers was unchanged last month as persistently high inflation and rising interest rates forced many Americans to spend more cautiously. Still, Wednesday’s report contained some positive signs: Excluding autos and auto parts, retail sales rose 0.4% in July. America’s consumers, whose spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity, have remained …

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 …

Amazon Prime Day comes amid slowdown in online sales growth
2 years, 5 months ago

Amazon Prime Day comes amid slowdown in online sales growth

Associated Press  

Amazon is heading into its annual Prime Day sales event on Tuesday much differently than how it entered the pandemic. Amazon doesn’t disclose Prime Day results, though research firm Insider Intelligence suggests sales could climb to about $12.5 billion in global sales — or 17% over last year -- in part because of the event’s mid-July timing, which compared to …

Retail sales in May slip 0.3% amid surging inflation
2 years, 6 months ago

Retail sales in May slip 0.3% amid surging inflation

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans trimmed their spending unexpectedly in May compared with a month before, underscoring how surging inflation on daily necessities like gas is causing them to be more cautious about buying discretionary items. U.S. retail sales slipped 0.3% last month, down from a revised 0.7% increase in April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. But excluding sales from gas …

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 …

US retail sales rise 0.9% in April in face of sky-high inflation
2 years, 7 months ago

US retail sales rise 0.9% in April in face of sky-high inflation

Al Jazeera  

The increase in retail sales was driven by greater sales of cars, electronics, and at restaurants, the US Department of Commerce. United States retail sales rose 0.9 percent in April, a solid increase that underscores Americans’ ability to keep ramping up spending even as inflation persists at nearly a 40-year high. Even adjusting for inflation, which was 0.3 percent on …

Retail sales rise 0.5% in March amid soaring inflation
2 years, 8 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.5% in March amid soaring inflation

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Retail sales rose modestly in March, but higher prices for food, gasoline and other basics took a big share of consumers’ wallets. January’s increase of 4.9% was the biggest jump in spending since March 2021, when American households received a final federal stimulus check of $1,400. Matt Shay, CEO of National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail …

US retail sales rose 0.3% in February as high prices take a bite
2 years, 9 months ago

US retail sales rose 0.3% in February as high prices take a bite

Al Jazeera  

Many retailers are bracing for how the war in Ukraine will worsen supply shortages, with reports already surfacing of limited supplies of wheat, metals, and electronic chips. Retail sales increased 0.3 percent after registering a revised 4.9 percent jump from December to January, driven by wage gains, solid hiring and more money in banking accounts, according to the Department of …

January retail sales surge 3.8% as consumers defy inflation
2 years, 10 months ago

January retail sales surge 3.8% as consumers defy inflation

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Fueled by pay gains, solid hiring and enhanced savings, Americans sharply ramped up their spending at retail stores last month in a sign that many consumers remain unfazed by rising inflation. Retail sales jumped 3.8% from December to January, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, a much bigger increase than economists had expected. “Job growth is strong, wages …

Defying inflation, Americans ramped up spending last month
3 years, 1 month ago

Defying inflation, Americans ramped up spending last month

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Many Americans have taken a darker view of the economy as inflation has worsened. Buoyed by solid hiring, healthy pay gains and substantial savings stemming in part from government stimulus checks and other relief, Americans ramped up their spending at retail stores and online shops last month. Gas sales rose 3.9% in October, while gas prices, before seasonal …

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