retail spending

Consumer sentiment tumbled in early August, according to the University of Michigan survey. July retail sales were down more than half a percent from June, and AAA reports the nationwide average gas price neared a record high for August.

Overall retail sales in May were up 0.9%, much more than economists expected. And it’s not just because things were more expensive.

The spending imbalance is at the highest levels it has been since Moody’s Analytics started collecting this data.

Adobe’s latest forecast shows consumers are expected to spend a record $18.5 billion through buy now, pay later financing this year. That’s up more than 11% year over year.

But if we’re buying now, will retailers pay later?

Consumers can expect early and steep sales as retailers try to offload excessive inventory. Online shopping is expected to cool.

The slight decline from April to May could indicate a slowing economy — which the Federal Reserve is hoping for.

That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re taking out more loans, but borrowing could pick up in some categories, such as auto loans.

It’s good news for our personal economies, but it means we’re not spending as much to prop the economy as a whole.

Sales rose, and many of the gains were in discretionary categories.