Retail Sales

Consumers were unwilling to increase their outlays in August 2017 according to the latest data from the Census Bureau.  In fact, they spent less in the period than in July.  Including the 0.2 percent monthly decline, the year-over-year statistic decelerated to 3.2 percent from 3.5 percent at the start of the third quarter.  Adding to the dour tone of this release, July’s ta

Retail sales were strong in July 2017 according to the Census Bureau.  Month-over-month, this important indicator jumped 0.6 percent.  Compared to a year earlier, transactions increased 4.2 percent.   Not only did the second half of the year get off to quick start, June’s tally was revised upward substantially; first reported as falling 0.2 percent, a more complete cou

Retail Sales declined for a second consecutive month in June 2017 according to data from the Census Bureau. Following May’s upwardly revised decline of 0.1 percent (originally -0.3 percent), this indicator dropped 0.2 percent. Not only was the monthly change negative, but the year-over-year trend decelerated to just 2.8 percent from 4.1 percent in the prior period.