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U.S. Consumption Shows No Growth in Retail Sales

Left 95% Center coverage: 21 sources Right
United States
February 13, 2026 (Updated: February 13, 2026) 0 Center Negative AI Assisted
U.S. Consumption Shows No Growth in Retail Sales

TheWkly Analysis

The average shopping basket has not increased in the last three years, despite consumption expanding vigorously amid persistent inflation, various geopolitical crises, and poor confidence. Overall retail sales growth remained unchanged in December, according to the latest data. A slight decrease in the control group data, which excludes volatile sectors like cars and gas stations, indicates a widespread slowdown. The momentum of consumption peaked and began to reverse in October, coinciding with the end of the government shutdown and a rotation in stock market leadership from growth and technology to value and defensive stocks. Household balances remain solid in aggregate terms, though data point to pressures on consumption including delinquency on credit.

Multiple perspectives analyzed from 21 sources
What this means for you:
American consumers are experiencing tighter budgets due to unchanged shopping baskets and potential credit delinquency.
Retail workers in the U.S. face reduced hours or job cuts from flat sales growth.
Exporters in countries like China and Mexico see lower demand for their goods due to the U.S. slowdown.
Your Wallet
Even with higher prices from inflation, your average shopping trip isn't buying more stuff than it did three years ago, so your money feels stretched thinner on daily essentials. This spending slowdown hints at a shaky economy that could mean fewer job openings or slower wage growth in retail and service jobs you might rely on. With more folks missing credit payments, now's the time to review your bills, cut unnecessary spending, and pad your savings for tougher times ahead.

Key Entities

  • United States Place

    The country where the consumption slowdown is occurring, as a major global economic player.

  • Retail Sales Concept

    A key indicator of consumer spending on goods, which has shown no growth in December according to the data.

  • Government Shutdown Concept

    A period of halted U.S. government operations that coincided with the reversal in consumption momentum.

  • Stock Market Organization

    The financial market where leadership rotated from growth stocks, potentially signaling economic shifts.

Bias Distribution

21 sources
Left: 5% (1 source)
Center: 95% (20 sources)
Right: 0% (0 sources)

Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

Left perspectives might frame this as evidence of systemic inequality in the U.S. economy, linking it to policies that favor the wealthy during crises.

Centrist View

Center perspectives would present it as a straightforward economic adjustment, emphasizing data-driven analysis and the role of global factors without strong ideological bias.

Right-Leaning View

Right perspectives could view it as a temporary market correction, possibly blaming regulatory overreach or government shutdowns for hindering growth.

Source & Verification

Source: Milenio RSS

Status: AI Processed

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