The Unstoppable Force of Habit
Let’s look at the facts, shall we? For three months running, US retail sales have not just met expectations, they have cheerfully sailed right past them. In August alone, consumers spent something in the region of £732 billion. That is not a rounding error. It is a colossal sum of money that suggests a level of confidence completely at odds with the gloomy headlines.
What does this tell us? It tells me that despite everything, the fundamental economic engine of the United States remains remarkably resilient. People are not hiding their money under the mattress. They are buying groceries, booking restaurant tables, and clicking ‘add to basket’ with a consistency that defies the predictions of doom. This is not a blip, it is a trend.