Retail

Holidays shaping up even better than forecast

The holidays are shaping up even better than forecast as November retail sales surged and prior months were revised upward—raising prospects for a strong consumer spending trend to start to the New Year. Store channels—primarily home improvement, electronics, and home furnishings…


Retail sales remain on pace toward a better holiday

Retail sales were kept on pace toward a better holiday by October sales results—although sales gains continue to favor e-commerce and in-store sales at homegoods retailers. Topline sales in October grew at the 4% or better pace expected for the holiday…


Q3 retail sales on pace for a better holiday

The pace of retail spending looks a bit stronger through the third quarter—between 3.5% and 4.0% growth—in the wake of September results and prior-month data revisions. The third-quarter results put retail sales on pace for a better holiday this year compared…


Modest spending through back-to-school headed to holidays

Retail sales gains have moderated near 3.5% growth in the back-to-school third quarter. That’s half a percentage point stronger than a year ago, although brick-and-mortar growth remains much weaker given e-commerce gains. Furniture and home improvement stores are holding up best…


July spending pickup muted by e-commerce impact

Retail sales gains firmed up in July, but except for e-commerce the year-to-date trends remain weak at brick and mortar stores—and especially at apparel and department stores. The July pickup was predicted by the latest measure of consumers’ confidence to spend…


2017 spending trend reverting to weakness

Second quarter signs of improvement in consumer spending did indeed prove short lived as indicated by the latest retail sales. The letup was predicted by recent measures of consumers’ confidence to spend over the next 90 days, which have turned flat…


Retail spending picking up in second quarter

Consumer spending on retail goods is picking up in the second quarter in the wake of a holiday and first quarter that turned out weaker than first thought—given revisions to retail sales as tracked by the government. This is the reading…