Commerce Dept.: Consumer Spending Up Again in December, and for All of 2010

There’s more good news out of Washington, as reports indicate consumer spending was strong in December and for all of last year.

Consumer Spending Jumped the Most in Four Years, Helping Recovery

Indications out of Washington are that retailers and their customers are helping the nation pull itself out of our economic doldrums.

Forecast: Economy Vulnerable, But Growth is Seen

While consumer spending is still sluggish, the forecast for the U.S. economy is favorable and a double-dip recession is unlikely. That’s the word from a senior economist at Huntington Bank, who also sees good news ahead for U.S. businesses. “Corporate profits are close to achieving a new U.S. record high, with strong growth in both [...]

Retail Space to Shrink as Spending Rises

The availability of retail space will shrink next year as consumer spending begins to rise, a commercial broker group reports. According to CB Richard Ellis Group, retail space ready for active marketing in 2011 will fall to 12.8%, from this year’s peak of 13.2%, a Bloomberg report says. That follows on word from the Commerce [...]

Survey: VAT Increase Would Cut Consumer Spending

A Value-Added Tax being mulled in Washington has retailers worried. A survey says shoppers will cut spending if it’s enacted.

Layaway Attracts Shoppers

More shoppers are using layaway to make purchases, according to a survey conducted by Sears Holdings. Of consumers surveyed, 73 percent said that, “They believe using layaway more often is a smart financial solution that can help them better manage their spending.” Susan Ehrlich, president of financial services at Sears Holdings, was more specific. “Kmart’s [...]

Convenience Gains On Price

Many consumers are again opting to save time in lieu of money, according to, “The Checkout,” a new study from marketing firms, The Integer Group and M/A/R/C. The research found that by mid year, 28 percent of shoppers describe themselves as, “preferring to spend more if it saves them time.” This compares with just 23 [...]

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