Signs of Cooling Economy: US Consumer Spending Slows and Inflation Slows

Despite record-breaking holiday spending, consumer restraint may be on the horizon as inflation-adjusted consumer spending actually decreased this Black Friday. Concerns are rising over rising consumer credit card delinquencies and the potential impact on future purchases. Dollar Tree CEO reported a notable pullback in spending due to inflation and reduced government benefits. Retailers are closely monitoring consumer behavior this holiday season to gauge the extent of the anticipated consumer pullback.