Nolte: Study Shows 40,000 Retail Stores Could Close over Next Four Years
As more and more people shop online, the ongoing wipeout of brick-and-mortar retail stores will continue.

As more and more people shop online, the ongoing wipeout of brick-and-mortar retail stores will continue.

U.S. consumers spent far more at American retail stores, gas stations, and online than economists had forecast, showing no signs that the household sector has shied away from everyday or major purchases due to higher gas prices or concerns over

American consumers came roaring back in February, with retail sales beating expectations across the board and snapping a two-month streak of disappointing readings.

Harsh winter weather put a chill on retail spending in January, as shoppers bought fewer cars and cut back on some store and restaurant purchases even as online sales and a key measure of core retail demand held up. Retail

A Silver Lining in a Soot-Soaked Retail Sales Report Analysts had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads for December retail sales. Instead, they got a lump of coal. The Census Bureau said Tuesday that retail sales were flat

U.S. retail sales were virtually unchanged in December, missing economists’ forecasts and capping a fourth quarter marked by early holiday shopping that left traditional retailers struggling. The Census Bureau reported Tuesday that retail and food service sales were flat on

Sales by U.S. retailers rose by much more than expected in November, signaling that the household sector remains resilient and consumer spending continues to support rapid economic growth. Retail spending rose 0.6 percent in November, exceeding even the most optimistic

China’s big “Singles Day” shopping holiday improved a bit in 2025 over the previous year, but retailers said the pace of growth slowed as customers looked for bargains, instead of spending big on luxury items.

Amazon’s big “Prime Day” sale runs from July 8 to 11 this year, arriving at the height of President Donald Trump’s tariff crusade.

A closer look at the data shows continued strength in several core spending categories, underscoring the unusual dynamics created by shifting tariffs, falling inflation, and front-loaded demand earlier in the spring.

The Big Lots retailer is preparing to shut down all its stores after filing for bankruptcy and closing over 400 stores this year.

More than 400 7-Eleven locations are slated for closure after “underperforming” during the second quarter of FY 2024.

U.S. consumers unexpectedly increased their spending in August, defying predictions that a softening labor market would drag down retail purchases. Retail sales rose by 0.1 percent in August and the prior month was revised up to a 1.1 percent gain,

Oil prices slip as investors digest the latest downbeat economic news from China, with extended slumps in retail and real estate.

Someone forgot to tell the American consumer that interest rates are supposedly so restrictive that they risk pushing the U.S. economy into a recession.

The strength of consumer spending undermines the case for a Fed rate cut before election day.

Economists had been expecting sales to climb again in April.

We are in serious danger of entering a historically anomalous era of prolonged inflation.

Americans pulled back on shopping after their big Christmas shopping spree, especially on big purchases that are typically financed with borrowed money. Retail sales fell 0.8 percent in January from a month earlier. Economists had forecast a milder 0.1 percent

The surge in retail sales threatens to upend predictions that the Fed could start cutting rates as early as March.

Retail sales were much stronger than expected in November, boosting hopes for a strong holiday shopping season.

The American consumer is rushing into the end of 2023 in high spirits—in part because they like how next year’s election is shaping up.

Christmas came early for many consumers in the U.S. this year, and that may have created an illusory drop in inflation and retail spending.

Black Friday 2023 marked a significant surge in online shopping, with record-breaking sales totaling $9.8 billion in the United States and $70.9 billion globally.

What if the Federal Reserve declared a restrictive monetary policy and no one heard it?

Consumer demand remains much stronger than expected despite a record pace of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.

Americans spent far more at gas stations in August as fuel prices skyrocketed, pushing retail sales far above expectations.

Retail sales surged by much more than expected in July, raising the risk of a revival of inflation.

The poet James Russell Lowell described June as the “high tide of the year.” The June retail report showed that the tide washed something ashore for everyone last month.

The headline figure missed expectations but the control group exceeded expectations.

Goldman Sachs downgraded its 2023 growth forecast for China from 6% to 5.4% on Sunday, joining financial institutions like UBS, Bank of America, Nomura, and JPMorgan that have made comparable downward revisions to their China growth forecasts over the past few weeks.

Stronger retail sales, however, could add further fuel to the inflation fires burning through the U.S. economy.

A woman in Tyler, Texas, who worked for nearly 74 years at the same store is retiring, and her loved ones could not be more proud.

Modelo Especial has claimed the title of the top-selling beer in America.

Excluding autos and gas stations, retail sales beat expectations in April.

A dramatic decline in sales tax revenues from pre-pandemic levels is a sign of the ongoing retail collapse in downtown San Francisco, the result of a pandemic exodus, as well as mass looting events and urban decay.

Excluding auto dealers and gas stations, sales declined by less than expected in March.

U.S. retail sales decreased slightly less than half a percent in February after jumping a revised 3.2 percent in January.

The economic data this week — including the acceleration of consumer prices — all scream “no landing. But, as we have been warning, no recession now or in the near future likely means more persistent inflation and a worse recession later.

Americans started the year by spending far more than expected at retail businesses.
