Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Economic Research at Moody's Analytics, brings keen insights into the dynamics of the American consumer as the holiday shopping season approaches. The discussion delves into rising credit delinquency rates and their implications amid inflationary pressures. They explore shifting consumer spending patterns, highlighting the disparity between high and low-income households. Political influences on consumer confidence and the effects of tariffs are examined, alongside the changing landscape of holiday shopping and retail challenges.
The American consumer is driving GDP growth through aggressive yet manageable spending behavior, highlighting diverse economic conditions in the market.
Holiday shopping is projected to grow 2.5% to 3%, reflecting steady confidence but a shift towards early seasonal purchases over traditional sales events.
The contrasting performances of retailers like Walmart and Target underscore changing consumer preferences and economic security implications affecting brand loyalty.
Deep dives
State of the American Consumer
The condition of the American consumer reflects positive economic indicators, as consumer spending significantly contributes to GDP growth. Overall, consumers exhibit aggressive yet manageable spending behavior, suggesting a robust economic backdrop. Despite some pockets of weakness, the aggregate state remains strong, contradicting alarming narratives often promoted in the media. This commentary underlines the importance of focusing on broader economic trends rather than isolated data points.
Holiday Shopping Trends
Holiday shopping sales, specifically around Christmas, are projected to grow by 2.5% to 3% year-over-year, which reflects a steady consumer confidence level. While this growth is consistent with pre-pandemic figures, it does not match the high single-digit increases observed in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. The conversation indicates a shift where consumers increasingly engage in holiday sales earlier in the year, diluting the significance of traditional shopping days such as Black Friday. This trend emphasizes the evolving nature of consumer behavior, where convenience supersedes the excitement of standout sales events.
Differences Among Retailers
The performance disparity between prominent retailers, such as Walmart and Target, signals a significant shift in consumer preferences and behaviors. Walmart has successfully attracted a diverse customer base, including higher-income shoppers, while Target faces challenges in appealing to its target demographic. This phenomenon suggests that price sensitivity is influencing consumers to favor more affordable options, hinting at broader themes of economic security and shifting brand loyalty. The contrasting earnings reports from these retailers prompt questions about the overall resilience of consumer spending in different market segments.
Risks to Consumer Outlook
Potential risks to the consumer outlook include rising energy prices, which historically impact overall spending power and confidence. While immediate worries seem balanced, reflecting a mix of optimism and caution, future concerns edge toward the downside, particularly regarding potential interest rate changes and their effects on credit availability. In addition, the economic stress observed in lower-income consumers potentially foreshadows broader challenges ahead. Analysts suggest that heightened delinquency rates on consumer credit are alarming and may indicate underlying pressures that could impact economic stability over time.
Consumer Confidence Anomalies
Despite persistently low consumer sentiment indicators, actual spending behaviors show resilience, presenting a confusing dichotomy. Surveys indicate profound concerns regarding inflation and economic conditions, yet consumers remain inclined to spend, highlighting their ability to hold conflicting views. This paradox may be influenced by various factors, including partisan perceptions affecting sentiment measures, suggesting that confidence levels may not correlate strongly with spending patterns. Understanding this discrepancy sheds light on consumer psychology and the broader economic narrative as we navigate uncertain times.
Moody’s Analytics own Scott Hoyt joins the Inside Economics team to discuss the state of the American consumer, as the critical Christmas buying season is set to begin. Consumers have been powering the broader economy, and the team expects that to continue. But there are a number of consumer-related puzzles, which the team works to solve.
Guest: Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Economic Research, Moody's Analytics
Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody’s Analytics
Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn
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