Retail sales in the United States increased by 0.1% in August—much closer to our forecast of a 0.2% increase compared to the market consensus of a 0.2% decline. The stronger-than-expected retail sales data came as industrial production also topped forecasts in August, growing by 0.8% from a month ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales
Retail sales were unchanged in June but still exceed forecasts
The upside surprises in retail sales that were announced on Tuesday proved that the significant slowdown in inflation in the past two months has been a major tailwind for consumer spending, not the other way around as many had anticipated. After adjusting for inflation, sales volume for June, which has ... READ MORE >
Retail sales and industrial production rise in May
The soft rebound in May’s retail sales was good news, suggesting that the economy might reach a soft landing sooner than expected. Total sales increased by 0.1% while the control group, which is the key metric that feeds into gross domestic production calculations, rose by 0.4%. Read more of RSM's ... READ MORE >
CPI resumes disinflationary trend in April amid weakened retail sales
The drop in April’s consumer price index was a much-needed step in the right direction in the Federal Reserve's effort to tame inflation and provided hope for potential rate cuts this year. Retail sales, in another key report released on Wednesday, indicated a much weaker April, explaining the extended ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales show surprising resilience
American consumers are continuing to show remarkable resilience in their spending habits, despite facing higher prices, particularly at the gas pump, according to retail sales data for March released by the Commerce Department on Monday. The swift recovery in retail sales in March, along with ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales in February grew at the fastest rate since September
Retail sales rebounded in February, showing that the sharp drop in January was likely more noise than trend, according to data from the Commerce Department on Thursday. Once the seasonal factors in January’s data faded away, overall spending at retail stores, restaurants and online remained solid ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales fall in January as holiday hangover sets in
In a break from recent years, American consumers began the year on a weak note as retail sales dropped by 0.8% on a monthly basis in January, according to Census Bureau data released on Thursday. That drop was the first time since 2018 that sales at retail stores, online and food service places ... READ MORE >
Retail sales and industrial production point to a strong end of the year
Resilience not recession is the right "R" word to describe the American economy in December. Wednesday's data from the Commerce Department showed retail sales blowing past expectations while industrial production volume stayed solid. The upside surprises, together with a robust labor market, prompted ... READ MORE >
U.S. retail sales grew by more than expected in November
Retail sales surprised to the upside in November as American consumers continued their robust spending. The gloomy holiday spending forecasts now seem to be out of the conversation. Instead, our estimate of billions in excess savings left on American households' balance sheets looks much more on point ... READ MORE >
Retail sales and producer inflation fall in October
Government data for October's retail sales and producer inflation has raised the probability of a soft landing by a significant margin. While sales slowed, the data came in higher than expected. When considered with an upward revision to September's reading, October's retail sales indicated ... READ MORE >