The Retail sales of the United States.
Retail sales fell 0.9% in January since the previous month, theCommerce DepartmentHe said, after two months of healthy profits. It was a much larger fall than economists expected and the greatest decrease in a year.
The average temperature in January was the lowest since 1988, according to Pantheon’s macroeconomy, and was particularly harmful in the most tempered south.Devastating fires in Los AngelesIt may also have affected the expense.
The data does not show that the Americans rushed to buy products in January to get ahead of the rates proposed by President Donald Trump, as some analysts expected. However, sales were reviewed higher for December. It is possible that many consumers have cut in January after defeating during the holiday season.
Sales tail can provide a certain measure of tranquility for the Federal Reserve, after a veryRead hot on inflation for Januarythat the economy may not be overheating.
And he decreases in retail sales indicates that the economy, although it still expands, will grow more slowly in the first three months of this year. It grew at an annual rate of 2.3% in the last quarter of last year.
Sales collapsed 2.8% last month in car dealers and collapsed in furniture stores, household centers and gardens. Even in the Retail Sector online generally strong, he saw a 1.9%decrease. Sales increased in general merchandise stores, a category that includes large retailers such as Walmart and Target, and in restaurants and bars.
In addition to cold weather, the decrease in sales could, in part, fadingconsumer trustas reflected in a couple of recent surveys by the Board of the Conference and the University of Michigan. Even so, hiring and salary growth have been stable, suggesting that the economy is still expanding. Last week, the government reported that the unemployment ratefell for the second consecutive monthto a low 4%.
Inflation markedHighest last monthDespite the efforts of the Federal Reserve to cool prices through higher interest rates. The cost of groceries increased in January since the previous month, it exceeded egg prices. The increase in costs in the grocery store is demanding a toll in Americans.
At the same time, Trump is also intensifying tariff threats, which could lead to higher prices. Trump said Thursday that he wouldSoon imposing “reciprocal” ratesIn countries that raise great duties on exports of US goods.
David French, executive vice president of the National Federation of Retainees, warned that import taxes could increase consumer prices.
“While we support the president’s efforts to reduce commercial barriers and imbalances, this company scale is massive and will be extremely harmful to our supply chains,” French said Thursday. “It is likely to result in higher prices for US working -haired families and erode the power of domestic spending.”
Retail executives say it is difficult to plan given the fluidity of tariff policies under the Trump administration.
Kim Tobman, CEO of Bouqs, a floral retailer based in Marina del Ray, California, said that most of his vases come from China, and that the 10% increase was not as bad as he expected. It does not expect to increase prices, but is considering Vietnam, Indonesia and other areas to obtain vases.
“We feel that at this time we can absorb it,” Tobman said.
She experienced the turbulence that comes with Trump’s changing rates plans last month during herConfrontation with ColombiaA mass exporter of flowers, after that nation initially refused to accept deported migrants flights.
Trump quickly announced a series of retaliation measures, including a 25% tariff on Colombia’s exports to the United States, with a threat that could increase. Colombia is the largest flower exporter in the United States and represents a large part of the supply for Bouq’s floral arrangement, Tobman said. The Colombian government finally agreed Trump’s demands, and tariffs never materialized.
By Christopher Rugaber and Anne D’Onocenzio Ap Business Writers
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