Advance estimates show March sales hit $752.1 billion, but the growth is almost entirely captured by “Non-store” retailers, up 10.1% year-over-year…
Food services and drinking places saw a tepid 2.4% gain, failing to keep pace with the 3.3% CPI, meaning “real” restaurant traffic is actually down…
Consumers are spending 5.1% more than last year, but 100% of that increase is going toward essential commodities—gas, food, and rent…
The average interest rate on savings accounts has stalled at 2.49%, leaving the middle class with a “Negative Real Yield” while they battle $4.46 gas…
You’re spending more, but you’re getting less, that is the definition of the 2026 “Price Trap.”
Main Street is a ghost town because it costs $30 in gas just to drive to the mall and back.
The digital economy is the only thing left alive, and even that is being squeezed by the 4.41% yield wall.