National Retail Federation

U.S. holiday sales rise 0.7% as Washington hurts confidence

By Cotten Timberlake, Bloomberg | December 26, 2012

U.S. holiday sales growth slowed by more than half this year after gridlock in Washington soured consumers’ moods and Hurricane Sandy disrupted shopping.

Michigan consumer sentiment falls more than forecast in December

By Lorraine Woellert, Bloomberg | December 7, 2012

Confidence among consumers fell more than forecast in December as Americans’ expectations slumped to a one-year low.

ISM services gauge in U.S. unexpectedly rose in November

By Alex Kowalski, Bloomberg | December 5, 2012

Services industries in the U.S. unexpectedly expanded at a faster pace than forecast in November, indicating the economy is holding up in the face of the so-called fiscal cliff.

Consumer spending in U.S. declines as Sandy reduces wages

By Alex Kowalski, Bloomberg | November 30, 2012

Spending by U.S. consumers unexpectedly declined and incomes stagnated in October as superstorm Sandy kept those in the Northeast from getting to work or from shopping at malls and car dealerships.

Economy in U.S. grew at 2.7% rate, more than first estimated

By Shobhana Chandra, Bloomberg | November 29, 2012

The economy in the U.S. expanded more than previously estimated in the third quarter as a narrower trade deficit and gains in inventory overshadowed a smaller gain in consumer spending.