“US shoppers cut spending as economic outlook concerns mount”
March 17, 2025
“…Many retailers reported solid sales at the end of last year, but warned of slower growth in 2025, and industry data shows that their forecasts are already playing out.
Footfall to US stores fell by 4.3 per cent year on year in early March, according to RetailNext, a consultancy – extending declines that began at the start of the year. Placer.ai, which aggregates signals from consumers’ mobile devices, has recorded fewer visits to big-box stores including Walmart, Target and Best Buy in recent weeks…
…Sales of discretionary general merchandise fell by 3 per cent in the week ending March 8 compared with last year, continuing a string of annual declines in February, data from Circana showed.
Traffic to US fast-food restaurants was down 2.8 per cent in February, according to Revenue Management Solutions, with visits at breakfast time dropping by double digits. “It’s the easiest meal to make at home or skip entirely,” the consultancy said…”