AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Highlights:
- US retail sales dipped 0.3% in May as auto purchases fell sharply.
- Despite a drop in auto sales, spending in gas stations surged, pointing toward a rising fuel cost.
- Restaurant sales, the Commerce Department’s only services component, went up 0.7%.
US retail sales plunged in May for the first time in five months, triggered by a slump in auto sales and other major items, the Commerce Department revealed on Wednesday.
It shows a moderating demand for goods as the nation grapples with four-decade high inflation.
Six of the 13 retail categories showed a downward trend in May, as per the report. It included electronics, furniture, and e-commerce.
The overall retail purchases dropped 0.3% after a downwardly revised gain of 0.7% in April. Barring vehicles, sales grew 0.5% in May. The figures, however, are not adjusted for inflation.
Auto sales tanked 3.5% in May, the most since August 2021. On the other hand, spending at gas stations rose 4%, which is due to the higher fuel cost in the month.
Excluding these categories, retail sales showed an upward trajectory of 0.1%, the smallest gain in five months.
Also Read: Amazon stock split may draw retail traders in tough market
© Dabisik | Megapixl.com
Also Read: US retailers rush to slash prices to downsize inventory
Inflation blunts demand for merchandise
The Commerce Department figures show that US merchandise demand is declining due to the fastest inflation in 40 years. It is also likely that people have begun to spend more on other services like travel and entertainment.
Rising prices have affected the economy in ways that will influence people's spending habits. Spending is likely to deplete further due to higher prices, higher interest rates, or both.
The data came ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise the interest rates by 75 basis points. The last time it raised the rates by 75 basis points was in 1994.
Bottom line:
Americans are currently dipping into their savings and increasingly using credit cards while spending in recent months. This is a risk for retail sales growth as the financial foundations of the people weaken.