The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose slightly to 71.0 in September, following a nine-year low of 70.3 in August as consumers felt the impact of the delta variant and rising prices. … READ MORE >
Consumer products
Chart of the day: Strong back-to-school retail sales may signal positive holiday season
In what retailers hope is a preview of the holiday shopping season, retail sales from the critical back-to-school month of August increased by 0.7% on the month. … READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Middle of the supply chain feels outsized impact of rising food costs
U.S. inflation came in below expectations, according to the latest CPI, however, it will be well into 2022 before consumers see this inflation slowdown in groceries and restaurant tickets. … READ MORE >
Already hot ‘buy now, pay later’ space gets a big boost from Amazon
Amazon partnering with Affirm is one of the latest signals that “buy now, pay later” offerings are here to stay, on the heels of strong performance last year, and also signals that online and brick-and-mortar retailers that don’t have BNPL options should assess what that means for their competitiveness. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Apparel goods pricing takes a mid-summer slide
The Consumer Price Index—which has indicated elevated pricing on apparel goods earlier this summer—appears to be declining on a year-over-year basis, according to Department of Labor data released Aug. 11. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales dip reflects shift in spending habits
A decline in retail spending in July may signal a shift in spending habits as consumers straddle a strengthening economy and virus-related concerns. … READ MORE >
Four ways retailers and restaurants can manage current inflation and labor pressures
Consumer demand is high and the opportunity exists for a strong holiday retail and restaurant season. However, these sectors are facing two significant headwinds: inflation and challenges finding qualified labor. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales cool as stimulus boost wears off
After two months of growth in retail sales fueled in part by stimulus payments, retail sales cooled off in May, falling 1.3% and missing analyst estimates of a 0.8% gain. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: In retail sales data, consumers are ready to get out of the house
The March retail sales data showed just how much pent-up demand exists in the economy, and people are ready to travel around the country again. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: ISM index reaches recent high, boosted by service sector gains
The ISM non-manufacturing index climbed to 63.7% in March, firmly beating analysts’ expectations and reaching its highest reading in recent history. … READ MORE >