Scott Hoyt

Scott Hoyt, an economist and retail specialist, dives into the gloomy state of U.S. consumer sentiment this holiday season. He discusses disappointing retail sales trends and factors contributing to consumer softness, like inflation and housing. The conversation takes a turn towards debt burdens, highlighting inequality among households. With a modest holiday sales forecast, the panel examines how a stronger prior year complicates growth comparisons. They also tackle a listener question on wealth inequality, emphasizing its impacts on housing and education.

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.