The combined impact of a weather-related resumption of household spending and $680 billion in fiscal aid checks working their way through the economy stimulated a robust 9.8% rebound in top-line March retail sales. The control group, which feeds into the calculation of U.S. gross domestic product, ... READ MORE >
retail sales
Retail sales declined 3% in February, but brighter days are ahead
At first glance, the 3% monthly decline in retail sales for February would seem to be a cause for concern. But a look beyond the top-line number reported by the Commerce Department on Tuesday paints a more nuanced picture, one that suggests pent-up consumer demand and the prospect of stronger sales in the ... READ MORE >
The changing holiday shopping season
For many retailers, the recent holiday shopping season was unlike any other as they contended with the disruption of the pandemic and its effect on consumer behavior. The result was a more extended holiday shopping season this year by design. While the Commerce Department’s recent headline figure for ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Holiday sales off to a sluggish start
The holiday shopping season was off to a sluggish start in November as retail sales fell 1.1% compared to October, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday. It was the biggest drop in seven months and well below analysts’ estimates of a modest gain. Retailers were hoping for a strong holiday ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales rose 0.3% in October, the slowest increase in six months
Retail sales in the United States grew at a 0.3% monthly rate in October, slower than analysts’ expectations of 0.5% and the slowest rate in six months. Yet there was still an increase for the month of 7.1% year over year overall and 5.3% year over year excluding autos, the Commerce Department reported on ... 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. This forecast is optimistic compared to the 4.6% decline in 2008, the last holiday season that took place during a recession. And it is ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales surge, but for how long?
Consumers opened their wallets in September as retail sales showed unexpected strength, rising by 1.9% over August for the fifth straight monthly gain, the Commerce Department reported on Friday. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had expected a gain of 0.8% after the 0.6% increase in August. But this ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Retail sales rise amid soft back-to-school spending
Retail sales grew for the fourth month in a row in August, but the expected lift from back-to-school spending was not as great as anticipated. Retail sales rose by 0.6% from July to August, and by 0.1% compared to a year ago, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a 1% ... READ MORE >
Retail sales rose 7.5% in June as economies reopened
June retail sales were strong for a second straight month, fueled by the reopening of economies across the country and the continuation of pent-up demand from lockdowns earlier in the year. Overall retail sales rose by 7.5% in June, which followed May's record 18.2% gain, the Commerce Department ... READ MORE >
May retail sales soar, but will it continue?
Retail sales soared by 17.7% in May, the biggest month-over-month increase on record, the Commerce Department reported on Tuesday. The May figures, which easily beat analysts’ estimates but are still below pre-pandemic levels, was most likely fueled by a combination of pent-up demand and stimulus ... READ MORE >