Slowing rate of inflation a welcome sign. Core retail sales in the last month of 2022 were up by 7.2 percent year-over-year. Despite a notable upward stretch, spending may be softening. December’s retail sales volume was a step back from recent months, a potential signal of the challenges facing consumers in the year ahead. While overall cash savings is some $4.4 trillion above the pre-pandemic mark, not every household was able to set aside funds. These opposing winds may create choppiness in the months ahead. A positive for both consumers and retailers alike, however, is that the softness in sales also contributed to a decline in the headline CPI figure last month. While prices on goods and services were still up 6.5 percent for the year, the pace is slowing.

Key Features Include:

  • Grocery sector may prove more resilient
  • Minimum wage increases aid consumers
  • Additional action upcoming from the Fed

Marcus & Millichap’s Full Report:
Retail Real Estate Well-Positioned as Consumer Spending Begins to Plateau