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US Consumers Slow, Fed Watches Closely | Eau Claire News
Retail sales in the U.S. took a surprising dive in July, falling 0.6%—the sharpest drop since May 2025—and even after stripping out gas station sales, overall spending remained sluggish. This follows a spring slowdown fueled by fading tax refunds, higher energy costs, and waning consumer confidence. Despite historically strong job markets and rising stock wealth that once cushioned spending, recent signs of labor market cooling and declining workforce participation hint at deeper trouble. If consumer spending continues to lag, it could push the Fed toward pausing rate hikes, as policymakers…
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