What Do Retail Sales Mean for the Economy?
In America, you can tell a lot about how things are going by how much stuff people are buying. Every month, the Census Bureau releases its retail sales report, which tracks changes in the purchase of finished goods. Another term for the purchase of finished goods is consumer spending. Since consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all U.S. economic output, it’s an important metric, to say the least.
Economy Explained: What Is the Consumer Confidence Index and How Does It Affect Me?
Find Out More: What Is Durable Goods Spending and What Does It Signify?
What Kinds of Businesses Are Included in Retail Sales?
One of the reasons retail sales is such a reliable indicator is that it includes data from so many scattered corners of the economy. The monthly Census Bureau report includes sales figures for:
Apparel stores
Furniture stores
Electronics and appliances stores
Stores that sell food and beverages
Gas stations
Car dealerships
See: Understanding US Productivity and All the Ways It Affects You
There are actually two reports. One includes everything listed above and the other omits vehicle and gas sales. The reason for the split is that cars are so expensive, their sales patterns are so seasonal and gas prices are so volatile that their inclusion can skew the index’s true results.
The Index Lets Analysts Take the Economy’s Temperature
Retail sales numbers give analysts a feel for the economic climate in the country over a given time period. When money is tight or people are afraid it soon will be, they put off purchasing washing machines, sports jackets and new electric toothbrushes, and instead enlist a roll of duct tape to make the garden rake and patio table last one more season. When wages are rising, savings accounts are growing and people are optimistic and confident, Americans do what they’ve always done when they’re up a little — they go shopping.
Find Out: What Is the GDP – and What Does It Have to Do With You?
In short, the retail sales index tells economists about:
The overall health of the economy
Consumer demand for finished products
Whether the economy is expanding or contracting
Likely trends in the unemployment rate
Trends in corporate earnings, and therefore stock prices
Manufacturing activity levels
Everybody Loves Strong Retail Sales — Except…
Generally speaking, things are good when people are buying stuff for themselves and for their families — or in economist speak, when consumer spending and retail sales are strong. For one very important class of investors, however, strong retail sales aren’t always good — bondholders. When the economy is booming and retail sales are strong, inflation rises and bond prices drop.
Read: What Do the New Home Sales Reports Mean and What Is Measured?
Retail Sales and the Economy in Summary
Retail sales are one of the most important and reliable economic indicators. As a leading indicator — as opposed to lagging — it can help economists predict likely changes in future economic trends. Retail sales can tell whether the economy as a whole is on the right track or not. When retail sales are strong, the economy is expanding and the GDP is growing. When retail sales falter, everybody loses except bondholders.
More From GOBankingRates
What It Means To Live a Truly Rich Life and How To Achieve It
Nominate Your Favorite Small Business for the Small Business Spotlight
Last updated: March 23, 2021
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Do Retail Sales Mean for the Economy?
