Tag

Consumer Spending

All articles tagged with #consumer spending

business6 hours ago•314 min saved

America's Premium Economy: Upgrading Spending While Homeownership Slips

Americans are increasingly trading up to premium goods and experiences—better groceries, travel, and higher-brand products—while the dream of owning a home and securing retirement wealth remains out of reach for many. The rise of an upper-middle class is shifting profits toward higher-quality retailers and airlines, with travel and experiences expanding while price-focused discount players shrink; economists warn the economy could flatten if inflation eases and AI investments help lower-income purchasing power, potentially converging the gulf between classes over time.

via CNN|

#business #consumer-spending #home-ownership

business5 days ago•1 min saved

Gas-price surge weighs on Walmart's U.S. sales outlook

Walmart warned that higher petrol prices driven by the Middle East conflict are forcing US shoppers to cut back on spending, leading to a slower sales outlook for May–July as fuel costs rise (AAA pegged gas at about $4.56/gal). The company said higher tax refunds previously cushioned the impact, but as refunds fade, consumer pressure from elevated fuel prices is expected to grow.

via BBC|

#business #consumer-spending #gas-prices

business5 days ago•3 min saved

Walmart rides higher-income spending and memberships as inflation bites shoppers

Walmart posted a 7.3% rise in quarterly revenue to $177.8 billion with U.S. same-store sales up 4.1%, helped by e-commerce growth and membership fees, but its guidance for the next quarter came in below expectations amid ongoing inflation and higher fuel costs that are squeezing households and shaping consumer behavior.

via NBC News|

#business #consumer-spending #ecommerce

business5 days ago•2 min saved

Walmart poised to probe U.S. consumer resilience in Q1 2027 earnings

Walmart is set to report fiscal Q1 2027 results before the bell with consensus estimates at 66 cents per share on $175 billion in revenue; investors will assess management commentary on consumer spending and how shifts between higher- and lower-income shoppers—amid inflation and higher gas prices—could affect the year’s outlook, while Walmart’s high-margin advertising and marketplace segments may help offset margin pressure.

via CNBC|

#business #consumer-spending #earnings

economy12 days ago•3 min saved

April Retail Sales Rise 0.5% for Third Straight Month

US retail sales rose 0.5% in April, the third straight monthly gain, signaling resilient consumer spending despite weak sentiment and inflation concerns, with March at 1.6% and April coming in below economists’ 0.6% forecast.

via Forex Factory|

#consumer-spending #economy #inflation

business12 days ago•312 min saved

Gas prices squeeze budgets as April retail shows mixed demand

Americans are paying more at the pump as gas prices rise amid international tensions, while April retail sales rose 0.5% from March. Gas-station sales jumped 2.8% after March’s 13.7% surge, even as purchases at furniture stores, auto dealers, department stores and clothing shops declined. The core “control group” rose 0.46%, indicating underlying demand remains solid despite price spikes. The labor market remains healthy with unemployment at 4.3% and 115,000 jobs added in April, suggesting spending resilience for now, though extended high energy costs could weigh on budgets later in the year.

via CNN|

#business #consumer-spending #durable-goods

business13 days ago•3 min saved

Gas-price surge drags down U.S. beer sales, Nielsen data indicate

U.S. beer volumes fell 6.3% year over year through the week ending May 2 as higher gasoline prices weigh on discretionary spending, with California posting the steepest declines and convenience-store channels hit hardest; the weakness is spreading across beverages and signaling broader consumer pressure, while major brewers show mixed results (Michelob Ultra stable, Bud Light/Budweiser down) and Constellation Brands gains share.

via CNBC|

#beer-sales #business #consumer-spending

economy15 days ago•3 min saved

Lower-income Americans burn through savings as inflation bites

Americans are drawing down savings as inflation and higher gas prices bite, with the personal savings rate at 3.6% in March—the lowest since the 2022 spike—while lower-income households cut spending and tap into cash, even as higher earners continue spending and the labor market remains resilient; the divergence points to a K-shaped economy.

via Axios|

#consumer-spending #economy #gas-prices

business15 days ago•4 min saved

Gas prices curb dining budgets, dimming restaurant sales

Rising gas prices weigh on U.S. restaurant sales in March, with traffic down 2.3% year over year; while Chipotle and Shake Shack held up, others like Applebee’s and Brinker International have leaned into value to attract budget-minded customers as low-income diners feel the squeeze.

via CNBC|

#business #consumer-sentiment #consumer-spending

business17 days ago•2 min saved

McDonald's CEO Warns of a Widening Spending Split Fueled by Inflation

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski says the K-shaped economy is worsening: higher-income shoppers spend normally while lower-income consumers cut back amid inflation and higher gas prices, with consumer sentiment in 'heightened anxiety.' The company posted 3.8% growth in global same-store sales and $6.52 billion in revenue, and is balancing price-friendly value items with premium offerings as it searches for growth in a tougher environment; its stock has fallen about 7% year to date.

via Business Insider|

#business #consumer-spending #earnings

business19 days ago•2 min saved

Whirlpool Faces Recession-Level Slump as War and Tariffs Pinch Appliance Sales

Whirlpool reports a near-10% revenue drop in the latest quarter, with major North American appliance sales down more than 7%, as consumer confidence weakens amid the Iran conflict and inflation. The company is raising prices (10% in April and 4% in July) to offset rising costs after a Q1 loss of $82 million, and has cut its full-year earnings forecast to $3.00–$3.50 per share while suspending the dividend to shrink debt. Shares fell more than 12%. Tariff rulings and higher costs are noted as ongoing pressures on demand.

via The Guardian|

#appliances #business #consumer-spending

economics23 days ago•8 min saved

High earners drive the latest retail surge, leaving others behind

A New York Fed analysis using Numerator EHIs shows that since 2023, retail spending growth has been a K-shaped pattern: high-income households (>$125,000) led nominal and real spending growth, while middle- and low-income groups lagged or contracted in real terms. The divergence widened after pandemic-era subsidies ended, and inflation hit lower-income groups harder due to income-specific price pressures. The study highlights macro risks from concentration of spending in a small segment and points to policy implications, with a companion post exploring the mechanisms behind this heterogeneity.

via Liberty Street Economics|

#consumer-spending #economics #ehis

economy23 days ago•3 min saved

New York Fed confirms enduring K-shaped split in U.S. spending

The New York Fed finds real retail spending has diverged by income since 2023, with high-income households driving most growth thanks to asset gains while low- and middle-income groups lag; spending has recently turned negative across all groups, underscoring vulnerability to a potential market downturn.

via Axios|

#consumer-spending #economy #income-inequality

business1 month ago•26 min saved

JPMorgan: Strong Jobs Market Keeps Consumers Spending Amid Rising Gas Prices

JPMorgan Chase topped Q1 earnings thanks to record markets revenue and resilient consumer spending, helped by a strong labor market (and higher tax refunds). The bank cautioned about a complex risk backdrop—Iran tensions, global trade, cybersecurity, rising energy costs, and elevated asset prices—and expects 2026 net interest income around $103 billion, while the stock eased after the report.

via MarketWatch|

#business #consumer-spending #earnings

economy1 month ago•307 min saved

Inflation Persists as Energy Shocks Keep Prices Elevated

Prices remain uncomfortably high as war-driven energy shocks keep inflation above pre-pandemic levels. While wage growth has outpaced inflation in recent years, March data show wages rising about 3.5% while inflation ran 3.3%, eroding real gains. Higher energy costs, frozen housing, and ongoing supply constraints are weighing on households, with savings buffers shrinking (savings rate around 4% in February 2026). Economists think inflation will stay elevated for months, though a recession remains unlikely; the path forward depends on how long the conflict disrupts energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting price pressures.

via CNN|

#consumer-spending #economy #energy