February did little to calm investor’s fears of a shopper slowdown. Gross sales grew 0.2% for the month however got here in properly shy of expectations. And the prior month was revised decrease by -0.3%. So the mixed complete was a internet -0.1%.
Listed below are the small print:
February retail gross sales: $722.7 billion (+0.2% vs. +0.6% anticipated)
January was revised decrease (from -0.9% to -1.2%)
Retail gross sales are 3.1% increased than final yr (however down from 3.9% progress)
(excluding autos) got here consistent with expectations: (+0.3%)
Actual retail gross sales (0.0% month and +0.3% y/y)
Solely 5 of 13 shopper classes gained in February. Led by e-commerce (+2.4%) and well being & private care (+1.7%).
Meals companies & ingesting locations (-1.5%) and fuel stations (-1.0%) have been the most important decliners.
This report did little to vary the narrative. Customers have shifted their spending patterns away from items some time in the past. Inflation-adjusted retail gross sales continues to be beneath its April 2021 highs. The one cause why complete retail gross sales had been making file highs (up till this latest slowdown) is as a result of costs have been going up. Demand hasn’t modified.
Till just lately, spending on companies had grown to the purpose the place it saved the economic system rising. If that fails to maintain up, then a slowdown is inevitable.
