Holiday season shopping hides growing consumer caution
Briefly

The headlines will say that retail spending remained resilient in November as consumers stocked up for the holidays. But the underlying details suggest widening price-conscious shopping behavior as more households end 2024 on a cautious note.
The go-go days of goods consumption have seemingly passed as consumers have tightened their belts to a degree. Spending in various categories, including grocery stores and department stores, fell, indicating a more cautious approach by consumers.
Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, but much of that growth was driven by a surge in auto spending, due to dealer incentives aimed at clearing excess inventory.
Consumers are being more selective, as spending declines in many areas point to a shift towards price-sensitive shopping, raising concerns about the sustainability of consumer spending.
Read at Axios
[
|
]