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Retail sales likely rose in October with part of the strength coming from a rebound in auto sales. Even with a gain, economists worry that consumer spending, the critical ingredient for overall economic growth, could falter in the months ahead.
Americans spent about the same amount in October as in August and September, according to figures released Thursday by a key data service, and they may be settling into new low-spending habits.
October's retail sales results, the best performance since April 2008, show that Americans are spending a little more. But will they be willing to pay full price this holiday season?
After parents cut back on clothes and accessories for children this past fall, the retail industry suspects they won't be any more generous by the holidays.
Retail sales likely rose again in July, boosted by the government's popular Cash for Clunkers program.
Retail sales outside of autos turned in a disappointing performance in July, underscoring concerns about the timing and durability of a recovery from the worst recession since World War II.
Shoppers remained tight-fisted in July, raising concern about the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons as well as for the broader economic recovery.
Retail sales advanced in June by the largest amount in five months, led by a surge in gasoline prices and a slight rebound in the battered auto sector.
Retail sales were weak in June for the 11th consecutive month, raising worries about how consumers will approach the back-to-school shopping season.
Retail sales rose by the largest amount in four months in May, as a rebound in demand at auto dealerships and gas stations helped to offset continued weakness at department stores.
Although consumer confidence may be increasing, it's not showing up at the cash register yet. Many retailers posted disappointing May sales on Thursday, and food and necessities remained high on shoppers' lists.
The weather has finally thawed, so what about the icy grip consumers have kept on their wallets?
April retail sales figures offered more signs that consumers are starting to feel better about spending. But they are still keeping their budgets tight, sticking mostly to necessities such as groceries and health care products.
March retail sales showed encouraging signs that consumers are no longer cutting their spending, a key to finding a bottom to the recession.
Retail sales fell in February for the seventh time in the past eight months. While the decline was less than expected, economists are still looking for continued weakness given the battering households are taking from a prolonged recession.
After hibernating since last fall, shoppers may be carefully crawling out of their caves to restock their pantries and buy a few more necessities.
U.S. retail sales jumped 1 percent in January, reversing a six-month declining trend and defying economists' expectations by posting the biggest increase in 14 months.
Desperate for dollars because of the recession, the nation's merchants have been practically throwing themselves — and their offers of discounts — at penny-pinching shoppers.
The nation's retailers had a rough 2008, but this year will likely be even scarier, according to a sales forecast released Tuesday from the world's largest retail trade organization.
Dismal sales figures for the holiday shopping season are probably a sign of worse to come for merchants in 2009 — not only more sharp discounts and cheaper groceries but probably fewer stores.
British retail sales fell only slightly in October, official figures showed Thursday, despite mounting evidence from retailers such as Woolworths PLC and Marks & Spencer PLC, that business conditions are extremely tough.
Retailers suffered through the weakest October in at least 39 years, despite frenzied price cutting as they desperately try to pull in consumers who are too worried about their finances to shop.
Dismal September sales results from mall-based apparel chains, released Thursday, offered more fresh evidence that American consumers, spooked by the financial meltdown, shut their wallets tight last month.
The weak retail sales merchants had been expected to post for September will likely prove to have been a disaster as the financial meltdown that began halfway through the month sent shoppers into hiding.
Frugal shoppers cut back again in August, driving down sales at the nation's retailers for the second month in a row, further proof the economy is losing traction.
Retail Sales and Unemployment Claims DisappointA disappointing retail sales report and so-so initial jobless-claims numbers on Aug. 13 suggested that a patch of blight may be appearing on the economy's much heralded "green shoots."
July video game sales show sharp declineHurt by the recession and few hit game launches, U.S. retail sales of video games dropped sharply in July, market researcher NPD Group says.
One step back: Retail sales slip; jobless claims tick upSales at retailers unexpectedly fell in July from June, a government report showed Thursday, and new claims for unemployment benefits rose, casting a shadow over an anticipated rebound in the third quarter.
'Substantial reduction' in tobacco sales to minorsRetail sales of tobacco products to people under 18 are at the lowest level they have been in years, says a report being released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
This morning RealtyTrac reported U.S. foreclosure activity jumped 32% from last April to a record high. It also reported the highest monthly rate of foreclosures since it began tracking them in January 2005.
Retailers See Signs That Sales Slowdown Is EasingThe nation's retailers endured another tough month in April, but there were signs that at least some consumers were coming out of hiding
U.S. Economy: GDP Slumps 6.3% Before Possible 'Turning Point' Economists and credit rating agencies report that the pace of recession has slowed, with some sectors of the economy experiencing cautious growth.
Sporting Goods Sales Prove Recession-resistantat the same time that sportsman's warehouse is folding up its tent in an attempt to avoid insolvency, academy and sports authority are expanding.
Diamond Sales, and Prices, Plunge in DownturnDiamonds may be forever, but apparently diamond buyers are more fickle.
UK retail sales up in January"Sales volumes were up 0.7 per cent in January, after a 1.6 per cent rise in December, the Office for National Statistics reported on Friday.
Consumers get frugal, so retailers get creative - USATODAY.comRetailers take note of new shopper sweet spots: value, comfort, and caution. (Where's my Hershey's bar?)
Internet Overtakes Newspapers As News SourceExcerpt: The internet, which emerged this year as a leading source for campaign news, has now surpassed all other media except television as a main source for national and international news.
Bad Economy Means Good Video-Game SalesAmericans may be cutting back on holiday shopping, but they are still buying video games — to the tune of nearly $3 billion in November, according to data from market researcher NPD Group.
Retail sales and prices fall againSigns that the recession will be long and severe mounted Friday with a fresh round of bad economic news, including plunging sales from manufacturers to stores and falling prices that raise fears of dangerous deflation.
5 Best Times to HaggleTo get a better deal on your next purchase, all you really need to do is ask. Thanks to a slowing economy and a subsequent decline in consumer spending, haggling has become a lot easier.
It's do-or-die time for mallsNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In five short days, it could be the beginning of the end for some of the nation's malls.
US retail sales plunge as layoffs mountRetail sales in the US fell 2.8 percent in October, the fourth straight monthly decline, the Commerce Department reported Friday. The decline was much worse than the 2.1 percent drop forecast by economists in a Bloomberg News survey.
Circuit City to close 155 stores | Latest Business Tech News - CNET NewsCircut City to close 155 stores.
Retail sales fall for second straight monthTotal sales at retailers in August fell for a second month in a row, according to a government report on Friday that showed consumers were coming under increasing pressure amid rising prices.
Video game sales soar 53 percent in JuneU.S. video game retail sales soared 53 percent in June, fueled by Nintendo's Wii and handheld DS gaming systems, as well as Konami's blockbuster "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" - by far the month's best-selling title.
Retail Sales Probably Dropped in April: U.S. Economy Preview Bloomberg reports: Sales at U.S. retailers probably fell in April as the biggest housing slump in a quarter century, record gasoline prices and the loss of jobs took their toll, economists said before reports this week.
'Concerned' Prime Minister sends China a messageOrdinary people all across the planet have decided to greatly reduce purchases of anything "Made in China". Do the math: 5 Billion non-Chinese spending $10 LESS each month on "Made in China" products results in a huge economic hit.
China sends troops to tackle Tibetan unrest (+ video, photos)Millions of people world-wide (not governments, officially) have started an effort to curtail or at least reduce purchases of anything "Made In China" till at least 3 months after Tibet has joined the United Nations as a free, independent , sovereign nation (not a puppet of ANY o …
Retail Sales Fell in JanuaryMore and more data is showing that we are heading for slower growth in the U.S. Will this mean we are heading for a recession? What ever happens it is going to be a long drawn out process.
Weak retail outlook weighs on Wall StWall Street stocks were set for a mixed start on Wednesday with retailers in focus amid concerns about the crucial holiday shopping period.
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