Retail Trade Report for January-2022

 

The Census Bureau released the advance data for January Retail. Woohoo, it was up 3.8% AFTER a downward revision of last month by -2.5%. (Which wasn't the only revision.)

This was last month's graph...

In any case the 3.8% would appear to be stellar until you realize it is not adjusted for inflation. When looking at the past few months... it becomes clear that the amount of "stuff" we are buying has plateaued, while the cost of the same amount of "stuff" has simply risen. 

Frankly, I don't understand the hoopla surrounding this report. Of course, I am just an ignorant hillbilly and know nothing of these matters.