Consumer Spending
How Restaurant Demand Bolsters Retail
With restaurant sales growth eclipsing retail sales growth, eateries are evolving and finding creative new ways to use their space.
Economy Watch Weekly: US Economic Growth to Slow in 2019
Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group recently revised down its forecast for U.S. economic growth in 2019 and beyond. Economy Editor Dees Stribling discusses the reasons behind the less optimistic view, for the week ending May 25, 2018.
Economy Watch: US Economic Growth Stable in 2018, To Dip in 2019
A slight pickup in consumer spending in March suggests there is still room for growth in the coming quarters, with corresponding boosts to GDP, according to the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research Group’s May 2018 Economic and Housing Outlook.
Economy Watch: Healthy Retail Sales Growth Ahead in 2018, NRF Predicts
The retail sector should see a boost in sales growth this year, topping 2017’s 3.9 percent growth, according to the firm’s latest economic forecast.
Economy Watch Weekly: Retail Sales Way Up in 2017
The retail sector ended 2017 on a high note, experiencing a 5.4 percent increase in sales from last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Economy Editor Dees Stribling discusses which categories fared best, for the week ending Jan. 12, 2018.
Economy Watch: Retail Sales Gain Ground in December
Compared to a year ago, retail sales were also up in almost every category, with department stores even eking out an annual gain, the Census Bureau reported.
Economy Watch: Retailers Get a Holiday Gift
This season, sales made their best showing since 2011, thanks to online shopping, early-season promotions and a comeback by some struggling categories.
Economy Watch: Consumer Confidence at 17-Year High
The Conference Board’s latest Consumer Confidence Index reached a new high of 129.5, indicating consumers are feeling optimistic about the U.S. economy.
Economy Watch: Residential, Commercial Activity Up a Bit, Says Beige Book
Construction activity picked up slightly in the residential and commercial real estate industries across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts, the latest Beige Book reported.
Economy Watch: Fed’s Beige Book Sees Continued U.S. Economic Growth
Consumer spending appears to be rising across a majority of districts, led by increases in non-auto retail sales and tourism, which bodes well for retailers and hotels.