National Retail Federation

Census retail sales data for May shows a ‘reasonably healthy consumer’

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today shows retail sales grew again in May and helped drive a still-expanding economy, National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “May’s retail sales give us... more »

Retail sales jump in May 2024 after April slowdown

Retail sales jumped significantly in May, showing strong increases both month over month and year over year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). “Consumers have clearly retained their ability to spend and are driving... more »

NRF: Consumers still ‘willing to spend’ as growth slows

Shoppers are still willing to buy even as smaller job and wage gains and high interest rates are slowing the growth of consumer spending, reported Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist of the National Retail Federation (NRF).... more »

NRF responds to Warehouse Worker Protection Act

The National Retail Federation (NRF) issued the following statement from executive vice president of government relations David French after members of Congress announced plans to introduce the “Warehouse Worker Protection Act.” “Data from the Occupational... more »

NRF: Fed’s proposed debit card ‘swipe’ fee cap too high

The National Retail Federation (NRF) told the Federal Reserve that the Fed’s plan to lower a 13-year-old cap on debit card “swipe” fees is welcome but a proposed change in methodology would leave the cap... more »

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor shows retail sales grew in April

Retail sales grew modestly from the month before in April, but a shift in the timing of Easter appeared to be behind a slight year-over-year decline, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions,... more »

Monthly import cargo to reach 2M TEU through early fall

Monthly inbound cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports should consistently be above 2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) through this summer and into early fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released... more »

First quarter results show economy is slowing, consumers still spending

Economic growth slowed during the first three months of the year, but consumers are still spending more than last year, National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz reports. “The U.S. economy lost some spring... more »