Retail’s Spring Shift: Signs Of Consumer Optimism

I find that there is almost always a lag between reality and the perception of reality, especially with big things like “the economy” or “business”. Things seem to actually bottom out about 2-3 months before people notice and start to comment on how things have bottomed out, and by the time the commentary achieves a critical mass, things have already started to turn around.

That’s how it feels to me right now. Retailers are pessimistic and cautious, but consumers are starting to show true signs of Spring – and yet, at a cautious enough rate not to spook inflation or, as a result, Jerome Powell and the Fed. Read more at Forbes.