
US retail spending stalls in December as inflation and gloom weigh in
U.S. retail sales were unchanged in December, missing economists’ expectations of about 0.4% growth and reversing November’s gain. The flat month came as furniture and miscellaneous stores fell (-0.9% each) while home improvement rose 1.2%, and the control group slipped 0.1%. The report, seasonally adjusted but not inflation-adjusted, was delayed by last year’s government shutdown. Despite slower hiring and stubborn inflation, Americans haven’t slashed spending, but December’s stagnation suggests consumer activity may be nearing a spending ceiling.












