Retail Sales Rise in August but Signs Show Consumers Struggling with Inflation

Retail sales rose again in August, exceeding economists' expectations
Increase was partly due to higher gas prices
Consumer spending seems robust on surface but signs shoppers are struggling
Sales growth likely to slow in coming months
Rising interest rates and inflation weighing on consumers

barrons.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

U.S. Gasoline Prices Rise Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend

The average retail price of regular gasoline in the United States has increased by 6% over the past five weeks, reaching $3.81 per gallon heading into the Labor Day weekend, due to factors such as oil production cuts, low gasoline inventories, and refinery maintenance.

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Growth Moderates in August but Remains Resilient Overall

Retail sales in the US remained resilient in August, with a 0.6% month-on-month increase, surpassing expectations of 0.2%, indicating a positive trend for the economy.

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Rebound in August Despite Looming Economic Headwinds

August retail sales in the US exceeded expectations, with a 0.6% increase driven by higher gas prices, although underlying goods and services spending lost momentum and July's gain was revised lower, according to the Commerce Department.

9/14/2023

Wholesale Inflation Jumps in August, Driven by Spike in Gas Prices

Wholesale inflation in the US exceeded expectations in August, driven by higher gasoline prices, indicating that inflationary pressures are still present in the economy.

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Edge Up in August but Shoppers Remain Wary Amid High Prices

Retail sales in the US rose 0.6% in August compared to July, but the increase in gas prices could impact consumer spending during the holiday shopping season, according to a report from the Commerce Department. Excluding gas sales, retail sales only increased by 0.2% in August.

9/15/2023

China's Economy Shows Mixed Signals in August - Retail Sales Growth Up but Property Investment Slows

China's retail sales and industrial production exceeded expectations in August, with retail sales growing by 4.6% and industrial production growing by 4.5%, but fixed asset investment lagging behind at 3.2%, indicating potential instability in the external environment.

9/19/2023

Retail Holiday Sales Slow but Steady as Shoppers Splurge on Electronics and Dining Out Despite Economic Pressures

US retail sales, excluding automotive, are expected to rise by 3.7% over the holiday shopping season, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels of holiday spending, driven by a more normal inflation environment and consumers' willingness to spend on experiences, electronics, and dining out.

Topics

Posted 9/14/2023, 2:50:00 PM

Retail Sales Rise in August but Signs Show Consumers Struggling with Inflation

Retail sales rose again in August, exceeding economists' expectations
Increase was partly due to higher gas prices
Consumer spending seems robust on surface but signs shoppers are struggling
Sales growth likely to slow in coming months
Rising interest rates and inflation weighing on consumers

barrons.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

U.S. Gasoline Prices Rise Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Growth Moderates in August but Remains Resilient Overall

Retail sales in the US remained resilient in August, with a 0.6% month-on-month increase, surpassing expectations of 0.2%, indicating a positive trend for the economy.

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Rebound in August Despite Looming Economic Headwinds

9/14/2023

Wholesale Inflation Jumps in August, Driven by Spike in Gas Prices

Wholesale inflation in the US exceeded expectations in August, driven by higher gasoline prices, indicating that inflationary pressures are still present in the economy.

9/14/2023

Retail Sales Edge Up in August but Shoppers Remain Wary Amid High Prices

9/15/2023

China's Economy Shows Mixed Signals in August - Retail Sales Growth Up but Property Investment Slows

9/19/2023

Retail Holiday Sales Slow but Steady as Shoppers Splurge on Electronics and Dining Out Despite Economic Pressures