Navigating the strong headwinds from the pandemic has not been easy for retailers this holiday season, but here are five things we have learned about their response as reflected in the November retail sales data released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. Stockings are already full October and ... READ MORE >
retail sales
U.S. November retail sales: Consumer spending moderates
The American consumer has held up remarkably well during the recent surge in inflation. But that was not the case in November as the pace of spending moderated to an 0.3% increase, which is likely because of an adjustment to rising prices, according to government data released Wednesday. The October ... READ MORE >
Retail sales beat expectations in a sign of a strong holiday season
Retail sales rose by 1.7% in October as consumers, flush with cash, signaled a strong start to the final quarter of the year, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday. The increase beat an upwardly revised 0.8% in September and was the third month in a row that retail sales ... READ MORE >
Canada retail sales climbed in August as in-person activities picked up
Canada retail sales rose by 2.1% to CA$57.2 billion in August due to increases in both prices and volume of goods sold, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday, a promising sign for the country's economic recovery. This increase was observed across all provinces in the first full month ... READ MORE >
Retail sales defied expectations, continuing to rise in September
Retail sales defied expectations in September, rising in back-to-back months and highlighting the resilience in consumer spending amid supply shortages and the surge of the delta variant. Such strong sales numbers helped to offset some of the impact from rising prices in the Consumer Price Index for ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Canada’s retail sales cool amid bumpy recovery
Continuing what has been a volatile year for consumers, Canada’s retail sales decreased by 0.6% in July compared to June, according to data released on Thursday by Statistics Canada. The decline is just the latest swing in what has been an ever-changing consumer landscape amid uncertainty concerning ... READ MORE >
As the delta variant spread, worried consumers went online to do their shopping
The strong retail sales for August were not only a welcome surprise for retailers after months of decline, but they also showed the enduring impact of the pandemic as consumers relied less on human contact and increasingly shopped at home. Non-store spending—which includes spending at online ... READ MORE >
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, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. When autos are excluded, that gain was a robust 1.8%. The August figure ... 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. Retail sales declined 1.1% in July compared to June, with the biggest decreases coming from motor vehicle and parts dealers, as well as non-store ... READ MORE >
June retail sales remain robust as economy runs hot
Retail sales increased by 0.6% in June, reflecting the broader narrative that underscores the American economy: Strong fundamentals around increasing employment, rising wages and savings will support a robust rebound as growth posts a cyclical peak in the second quarter. Overall growth will ... READ MORE >