US retail spending increases 11.2% YoY in July: Mastercard

While in-store sales remain elevated, up 11.1 per cent YOY, e-commerce posted its first month of double-digit sales growth (11.7 per cent YOY) since December. E-commerce is up nearly double pre-pandemic levels (98.5 per cent YO3Y). Online sales have ticked up since the beginning of June, though July’s major promotional events helped entice shoppers to splurge (and save) with online deals.

US retail spending excluding automotive increased 11.2 per cent YoY in July, while retail sales excluding automotive and gas rose 9.0 per cent, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. Rising prices—particularly for necessities such as food and fuel—were a contributing factor.

“The latest retail trends place an emphasis on consumer choice and passion driven spending – they’re hunting for deals, shopping across channels and ultimately still spending on experiences and goods that make them feel good,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Incorporated. “As retailers grapple with excess inventory and supply chain constraints, it’s likely that the promotional activity seen in July will continue to be an important strategy for retailers.”

“Consumers’ purchasing power has been strained by higher prices, particularly for the most fundamental needs-based categories like food and energy,” said Michelle Meyer, US chief economist, Mastercard Economics Institute. “Thus far, nominal spending remains strong as consumers cope with high price inflation. As we continue to look at the strength of the consumer, we will be keenly focused on trends surrounding employment and wage growth.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)