American consumers are delivering a retail reality check as they laser in on bargains
MarketWatch·- American consumers are demonstrating defensive and deliberate spending behaviors by hunting for bargains amid high inflation and elevated gas prices. - Major retailers like Walmart and Target reported that consumer foot traffic increased while spending per trip remained flat or decreased as shoppers resisted price hikes. - The shift in consumer habits has pressured retailer stocks and weighed on demand for big-ticket items and larger home improvement projects.