consumer trends

Retail sales jump in May 2024 after April slowdown

Retail sales jumped significantly in May, showing strong increases both month over month and year over year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). “Consumers have clearly retained their ability to spend and are driving... more »

NRF: Consumers still ‘willing to spend’ as growth slows

Shoppers are still willing to buy even as smaller job and wage gains and high interest rates are slowing the growth of consumer spending, reported Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist of the National Retail Federation (NRF).... more »

Spring 2024 Trend Report: Peach Fuzz and its supporting cast

This year's outlook is just peachy. The Pantone Color Institute named Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023) its 2024 Color of the Year, and the hue is already permeating retail. Peach Fuzz is a nurturing, velvety and... more »

NRF: Economy remains ‘sturdy’ despite forecast for slower growth

Despite expectations for slower growth of both gross domestic product and retail sales, the economy should continue to do well the remainder of this year, said Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist for the National Retail Federation... more »

Retail sales to reach at least $5.23 trillion in 2024

The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that 2024 retail sales will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% to between $5.23 trillion and $5.28 trillion. The announcement was made during NRF’s fourth annual State of Retail &... more »

2024 Easter spending expected to top $22B

Consumer spending is expected to reach a total of $22.4 billion this Easter, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The total figure is the second-highest in the survey’s history,... more »

Retail sales grow again in February 2024

Retail sales continued to grow in February, building off solid gains from January, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Total retail sales, excluding automobiles... more »

NRF: Inflation and interest rates remain key

Inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to bring it under control will continue to play a major role in the economy this year, said Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist at the National Retail Federation (NRF). “With... more »