retail sales

Social distancing instructions are posted at California's Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall on June 12, as local businesses enter Phase 3 reopening.

Retail Sales Bounce Up 17.7% After Record Drop As States Reopen

5:10pm June 16, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Spending is still nowhere near last year's. But as more states and cities allowed restaurants and shopping centers to reopen, May saw a big swing from a historic collapse in March and April.

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Retail Spending Plummets As Coronavirus Crisis Freezes Economy

Pandemic Hits Spending Hard; 79% Dive In Clothing Sales Leads A Record Plunge

10:46am May 15, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Retail sales saw record drops for the second month in a row. Other categories with huge declines included a 59% dive in furniture sales and 29% decreases in department stores and gas stations.

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Retail sales plunged a record 8.7% last month as the coronavirus pandemic shut down economic activity around the country.

Economy

Retail Spending Just Fell Off A Cliff

2:04pm April 15, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Americans are still spending a fair amount on food and online deliveries, but the shutdowns of stores, malls and restaurants led to a record 8.7% sales drop in March.

Customers stand in line at a Zara store on Black Friday in Paramus, N.J., on Friday.

Doorbusters Busted: Shoppers Rethink Black Friday

5:59pm November 29, 2019

by Alina Selyukh

The day after Thanksgiving is still the busiest shopping day of the year. But, for many reasons, it is losing its status as the focal point of the holiday shopping season.

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Major U.S. stock indexes posted small gains Thursday, a day after their steepest drops of the year.

Economy

Stock Markets Take A Breather After Steep Drop

5:50pm August 15, 2019

by Scott Horsley

Investors paused to catch their breath Thursday after the stock market suffered its worst drop of the year the day before. Consumer spending is still strong, despite signs of a looming recession.

A squirrel investigates Halloween jack-o'lanterns in Washington, D.C. Analysts say spending for holiday decor, candy and costumes is strong this year.

This Halloween Is Scaring Up Record Sales of Candy, Costumes And Decor

6:28pm October 30, 2017

by Marilyn Geewax

Surging consumer confidence is spurring sales for Halloween. Retailers are forecasting an 8 percent increase in sales for costumes, candy and decorations. Those gains are strong given low inflation.

An employee inspects a component for hybrid electric vehicle motors at the Toshiba International Corp. manufacturing facility in Houston.

U.S. Economy Could Be Poised For Stronger Growth

3:08pm May 17, 2016

by Chris Arnold

From retail sales to manufacturing and housing, several key indicators are picking up. An accelerating economy would be a big deal in this election year.

Workers pack items Sunday at an Amazon fulfillment center in Tracy, Calif. Cyber Monday online sales jumped 8.5 percent over 2013.

Holiday Shoppers Are Filling Their Carts, Online

7:45pm December 02, 2014

by John Ydstie

In-store purchases on Black Friday fell this year, but online sales have seen a big increase. Easy comparison shopping and widespread free shipping have sweetened the deal for many online shoppers.

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