The Strawhecker Group (TSG) has released its U.S. Spending Report covering the first half of 2015. This report provides a comprehensive look at same-store sales and consumer spending behavior by merchant categories and geographic breakdowns.
Consumer spending retreated in Q2 2015 versus Q1, putting a dent in a more pronounced second-quarter upturn in spending and leaving some less upbeat about the economy. The subdued spending growth during the first half of the year has largely been due to lower year-over-year gas prices. Although consumer spending growth slowed on a sequential basis, the year-over-year growth in overall spending remained positive. On the other hand, retail spending growth reversed course in Q2 2015 and entered into negative growth territory.