The rise in retail sales was led by food and beverage stores, where sales went up by 4.8%, clothing stores, up 3.9%, and gasoline stations, with 3.8% growth. … READ MORE >
consumer spending
Personal income, spending and savings are getting back to normal
Households are spending more and savings less, enjoying their summer and getting ready for school, as government data on personal income and spending released on Friday suggests. In short, households are getting back to normal. … READ MORE >
First-quarter GDP: Growth improves as the recovery accelerates
An improved public health outlook linked to mass vaccinations and a flood of fiscal aid coursing through the American economy boosted gross domestic product by 6.4% during the first three months of the year. … READ MORE >
How pandemic savings might have saved the day
The mix of savings, pent-up demand for services and what we think will be an increase in productivity-enhancing investments by businesses will provide a multiyear period of above-trend growth. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: A shifting holiday spending calendar
The pulling forward of Amazon Prime days to mid-October may have something to do with the changing expectations around spending, inventories and advertising ahead of the holiday season. … READ MORE >
Holiday sales to limp forward as pandemic weighs on economy
Holiday spending is likely to advance at a tepid 0.5% pace as households still reeling from the pandemic pull back on traditional and experiential holiday outlays. … READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Glory days for used car salesmen
A confluence of trends linked to the pandemic – including the fleeing of millennials to the suburbs and a rising preference for private transportation – has driven the price of used automobiles up by the quickest monthly gain since 1969, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. … READ MORE >
US June personal income and spending: Difficult days for the American household
The American household finds itself under extreme duress as loss of income and jobs caused by the pandemic is on vivid display inside the June U.S. Personal Income and Spending Report. Despite a robust increase in spending, based on income dynamics that are in play during the pandemic, it is quite clear that this is not sustainable and represents the zenith in the release of pent up demand following the reopening of the economy in May. … READ MORE >
April U.S. personal income and spending: Fiscal cliff approaches as income support remains key
With one in four American workers looking for employment or waiting to be recalled to work, there is little doubt that the weak spending environment will partially define the U.S. economic narrative and policy going forward. … READ MORE >
Looking to 2020: Consumer is king amid slowing growth
The American economy will continue to slow toward a growth rate of 1.5% in 2020, below its long-term average of 1.8%, as sturdy consumer spending compensates for financial volatility and erratic trade policy. That consumption, though, increasingly depends on rising asset prices that help boost confidence, and solid job growth. … READ MORE >